Your monthly resource for MSA conservation updates, Miramichi Watershed Information, upcoming MSA Events and much much more.
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MSA Field Work Season Underway
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In this photo, MSA staff biologist Kelsey McGee tends to a smolt wheel on the Little Southwest Miramichi River.
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It has been a very cold and rainy field season so far this year, and as a result, rivers in the Miramichi were unusually high for the beginning of May. Consequently, there was a slight delay in putting our smolt wheels out to fish. Even when we were able to set up the smolt wheels, the river water remained so cold that salmon smolt were not running. Recently, we have seen a shift in this trend and are now catching smolt every day for our spring projects.
As part of a joint venture between the MSA, the Northshore Micmac District Council, and the ASF,
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e are collecting smolts on the Northwest and Little Southwest Miramichi Rivers for our smolt population estimate. To estimate smolt populations, seaward migrating juvenile salmon are captured in a smolt wheel and then tagged. Once the smolt are tagged (with non-invasive, clear plastic ribbon tags) they are transported 5 km upriver from the smolt wheel and released with the aim of recapturing them. Based on the number of smolts recaptured, we are able to approximate how many smolts are leaving that river system, and thus to determine, roughly, how many total number of smolt are in the river.
The MSA is also working in conjunction with ASF to collect 130 smolts from the Northwest Miramichi River to tag with internal acoustic transmitters. The purpose of this is to track their movements and survival out of the Miramichi River into the marine environment. In addition, some smolts are also provided to DFO for a pH study on the Northwest and Little Southwest Miramichi Rivers.
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Moncton Dinner a Success!
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In this photo, Minister of Energy and Resource Development, Mike Holland, presents an plaque to the late Jack McLean's family.
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The MSA 19th annual "Freeman Dunnett" fundraising dinner was held at the Crowne Plaza in Moncton on May 23rd. The evening featured a delicious smoked salmon and cocktail reception followed by the Crowne Plaza's signature prime rib dinner, complete with Yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings! In addition to the delicious food and lively conversation there were a number of fun raffles and auctions. The live auction featured a number of great fishing trips, works of art and fishing rods all of which were sold after some intense bidding by dinner attendees.
The dinner was attended by Minister of Energy and Resource Development Mike Holland, who, after an inspiring speech, said a few word of remembrance about former dinner committee member and salmon conservationist Jack MacLean. After his kind words, Minister Holland presented a plaque to Jack's family which expressed the MSA's gratitude to Mr. MacLean for everything he did in support of salmon conservation and the MSA Moncton dinner. All in all, the dinner raised over $50k! Thank you to all the donors and patrons who supported this important fundraising dinner, and a special thanks to the dinner committee who truly made the dinner a success.
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The MSA Annual Photo Contest
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The MSA has launched the 4th Annual Photo MSA Contest, and we're looking for photos from all across the Miramichi Watershed. Each entrant can submit photos in each category: Angling, Miramichi Scenes, Miramichi People, and Kids. Each 1st place winner will receive a $25 gift card generously donated by Bass Pro Shops. The contest runs from May 15th-August 31st, and you can submit your photos on our website at the link below.
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DFO Announcement: Government of Canada invests in science and shared stewardship to conserve and rebuild wild Atlantic Salmon stocks
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On May 29th 2019, The Government of Canada introduced their Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Policy’s implementation plan for 2019-2021. This plan encourages cooperation, collaboration and engagement to ensure partners are maximizing the impact of efforts aimed at restoring and maintaining this iconic species.
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Salmon Classic set for July 7th-10th
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If you are interested in salmon fishing and would like to experience fishing a variety of rivers in the Miramichi watershed then the MSA Salmon Classic is a great opportunity for you! Held over 3 days, the Salmon Classic allows anglers to fish 5 different pools on a variety of Miramichi rivers. The entrance fee of $350 CAD includes lunch each day, an informal opening meet and greet dinner, your license and guide. The daily schedule includes a 4 hour fishing session in both the morning and the evening. This package does not include accommodations, however, we can recommend a number of excellent places to stay. For more information or to book your spot contact Kate by clicking the link below. See you on the river!
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MSA "First Cast" Scheduled
for June 29th and 30th
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If you love fly fishing and have a child, grandchild or adult friend with whom you’d like to share the fun, check out the First Cast event scheduled for Saturday, June 29th (at the Atlantic Salmon Museum in Doaktown) and Sunday, June 30th (at a private fishing pool in the Blackville area). This is a FREE event and all equipment including waders is provided by the MSA.
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The MSA would like to congratulate the 1st place winner of our NB Raffle - Shawn Soucoup. Shawn won a bass fishing trip for 4 people hosted by MSA president Mark Hambrook. Shawn and 3 of his friends enjoyed their fishing trip on May 18th and had a fun day out on the water with Mark. Our runner-up, and the winner of the TFO fly rod outfit, was Randy Lutes. Congratulations Randy on winning a great fly rod package! The third place prize was a set of books by Marty Vickers and was claimed by Brian Foster - happy reading Brian! Congratulations to all of the winners and a big thank-you to everyone for participating in our NB raffle.
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Upcoming MSA Events You Don't Want to Miss
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Still not a member of the Miramichi Salmon Association?
Membership in the MSA is the perfect way to express your passion and support for the Miramichi River, for the Atlantic salmon who make it their home, and for the vital work being done by the MSA to protect and conserve both for today and tomorrow!
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