Your monthly resource for MSA conservation updates, Miramichi watershed information, upcoming MSA events, and much more.

Since 1953, the Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA) has worked toward the preservation and enhancement of Atlantic salmon on the Miramichi River. With strength in numbers, the MSA continues to build its membership to support our conservation efforts. We encourage you, if not already a member, to please join us.

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Vol. 72 July 2024

President's Update

By Butch Dalton

Dear Members of the Miramichi Salmon Association,


I am calling on all MSA members and supporters to join our efforts in pressing the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to take immediate action on the striped bass issue affecting the Miramichi. The survival of our Atlantic salmon, and the health of our entire ecosystem, depend on our collective voice and persistent advocacy. It is crucial that we continue to demand that DFO fulfills its responsibilities to protect and conserve our fish populations and habitats. Your involvement is essential in ensuring that the necessary measures are implemented to safeguard the future of our cherished Atlantic salmon

 

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has a vital role in ensuring the protection and conservation of fish and fish habitat, as mandated by Section 35 of the Fisheries Act. However, the current situation with the striped bass population requires immediate attention and a proactive approach to prevent further decline of our salmon stocks. It is essential for DFO to address this challenge head-on to uphold their responsibilities and safeguard the future of our fisheries.

 

DFO's commitment to ecosystem-based management (EBM), as outlined in Section 2.5.1 of the Fisheries Act, emphasizes a holistic approach that considers the entire ecosystem to sustainably manage resources. EBM aims to maintain ecosystem health, productivity, and resilience. To fully realize these goals, it is imperative that the DFO addresses the significant impact that striped bass are having on Atlantic salmon, as well as on trout, shad, and a multitude of other species in the Miramichi watershed

 

The unchecked population of striped bass is creating an imbalance that threatens the biodiversity of our waters and the economic stability of our fishing communities. Effective management of all species within the ecosystem is crucial to maintaining the health and resilience of our fisheries.

 

Our advocacy committee, along with our partners, are pressing hard at every level of government for DFO to take immediate and effective action. We are committed to ensuring that our voices are heard and that the necessary measures are put in place to protect our salmon stocks and the broader ecosystem.

 

We believe that through collaborative efforts and decisive action, DFO can fulfill its duty to protect our fishery resources. The future of the Miramichi salmon, along with other critical species and the livelihoods they support, depends on our collective commitment to sustainable and responsible management.

 

We call on all our members and supporters to continue advocating for prompt and effective action from DFO. I urge all members and supporters to keep reaching out to your local Member of Parliament expressing the need for urgent action on this issue. Together, we can ensure the preservation of our treasured salmon and the health of our entire ecosystem for generations to come.

 

William (Butch) Dalton

MSA President

MSA's 12th Annual First Cast

Submitted by Paul Valeri

MSA's free First Cast program was successfully conducted for its twelfth year Saturday, June 22, at the Atlantic Salmon Museum in Doaktown, followed on Sunday, the 23rd, at a private camp in Blackville. Opting this year for a limited number of seven enthusiastic attendees assured provision of a truly personal, comprehensive fly casting experience. Convening at the Museum on Saturday morning, First Cast's Founder-Moderator, Paul Valeri, led a personalized discussion as to how passionate it can become to keep returning to the Miramichi ... click the button below to read more.

 Read More

Hatchery Opens for Public Tours


The Miramichi Fish Hatchery is now open for public tours for the summer.


Tours run Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 11am and 2pm.


Cost is $10 per adult and $5 per child (under 12).


For more information and to book your tour visit our website!

Book a Tour!

Governor General of Canada visits Miramichi

As part of her first official visit to New Brunswick, on June 6th, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada visited Natoaganeg First Nation to learn about the Miramichi River. The Governor General spoke with leaders from the Natoaganeg First Nation, the North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council’s Anqotum Resource Management department, the Atlantic Salmon Federation and the Miramichi Salmon Association's President Butch Dalton.

We convened to discuss the urgent issue of the striped bass population and its impact on the Miramichi salmon fishery. This high-level discussion underscored the critical need for prompt and effective action to protect our salmon stocks.

MSA Wild Salmon Grant

The MSA Wild Salmon Grant is generously funded by J.W. Bud Bird through an endowment with the Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA). This $5,000 grant is awarded annually to an Indigenous undergraduate student in their second, third, or fourth year of study at St. Thomas University.


We are looking for proposals for an academic and/or creative work from Indigenous students to be considered for this $5,000 grant, which have a goal of engaging public concern and support for the Miramichi River watershed, and the conservation of wild Atlantic salmon. 


For more information, send an email to Butch.

Past MSA president and chair, Mr. J.W. Bud Bird

Send Email

Brad Burns Fishing Report


For a run down on Miramichi salmon fishing please click the link below to Brad Burns Miramichi Atlantic salmon report. In this report you will find all kinds of useful information including recent fishing reports, weather related information, and a contact number for DFO enforcement to report poaching activities.

Miramichi Fishing Blog

Bruno Bobak Memorial Art Contest Winner

The MSA would like to announce the winners of the 2024 Bruno Bobak Memorial Art Contest! Among the talented participants, we congratulate Danika McDonald, a grade six student from Max Aitken Academy, for being selected as our overall winner.


Danika has been awarded a beautiful, framed print, to be displayed at Max Aitken Academy as a token of our appreciation for her exceptional artistic skills.


We would like to express our gratitude to all the schools that participated in the contest. Your enthusiastic involvement has contributed to making this year's competition a resounding success.


To admire the remarkable artwork from each grade, we invite you to visit our website by clicking the button below. There, you will find the winning entries that showcases the creativity and talent of our young artists.

Overall Art Contest Winner - Danika McDonald 6th Grade Max Aitken Academy

Art Contest Winners

Brian Smith Memorial Photo Contest

Submit your photos today!

The Brian Smith Memorial Photo Contest presents a wonderful chance for photographers to highlight their talent through captivating images of the stunning Miramichi River and its surroundings. Running annually from April 15th to October 15th, this event organized by the MSA encourages participants to submit their most exceptional photos that showcase the richness and variety of the Miramichi watershed. Amateur photographers of all skill levels are invited to participate, with contest categories including Miramichi People, Angling, Miramichi Scenes, and Kids. Join us in celebrating the beauty and diversity of the Miramichi River through the lens of your camera!

 

Our 2024 Brian Smith Memorial Photo Contest prize package is sponsored by:


Bates Custom Laminating and Framing

1st Place - $250

2nd Place - $150

3rd Place - $75

4th Place - $25


Click HERE to Enter

New Merchandise on the MSA website!

These beautiful handcrafted mugs created from Southwest Miramichi clay by Christopher Doiron Pottery are one of many new items available on our website!


Click the button below to see the other items we have for sale.

Visit our Store

Important Dates


MSA Fredericton Dinner

October 3rd


MSA Saint John Dinner

October 23rd


MSA Board of Directors Meeting - Freeport, Maine

November TBA


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Miramichi Salmon Association

485 Route 420

South Esk NB E1V 4L9

506-622-4000

admin@miramichisalmon.ca

MiramichiSalmon.ca

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