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. 88 November 2025

President's Update

By Butch Dalton

MSA Members and Supporters,

The fall season is always one of the busiest times of year for the Miramichi Salmon Association. We host two of our largest fundraising events — the Fredericton Dinner & Auction and the Saint John Dinner & Auction — and both were tremendous successes once again this year.

I’m very pleased to share that both dinners were among the best attended in recent memory, with over 300 guests joining us in Fredericton and nearly 200 in Saint John. Each event ran smoothly, was financially successful, and provided an excellent opportunity to connect with our dedicated supporters, partners, and members. My sincere thanks go out to everyone who attended, to our generous sponsors and donors, and to the MSA staff who went above and beyond to make both evenings such a success.

At this time of year, our attention also turns to hatchery operations — specifically, the spawning of our broodstock. This is a labour-intensive process that spans several weeks and requires a great deal of coordination and hands-on effort. I’m pleased to report that spawning is going well. Once the eggs are in their incubation troughs and tanks, our staff care for them throughout the winter until they are ready to be released back into their natal rivers in the spring as fry. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the volunteers who assist with this important work — your time and dedication make a real difference.

Looking ahead to winter, our team will be busy preparing for the upcoming field season. This includes submitting grant applications, hiring summer students, planning our spring fundraising initiatives, and continuing the vital behind-the-scenes work that ensures we’re ready for another productive year.

We are also in the process of applying for a permit from DFO to collect wild smolt from the Miramichi River, with the goal of rearing them to adulthood in a controlled environment. This approach - sometimes referred to as a captive adult rearing or CAR - allows salmon to grow and mature safely through the high-mortality ocean phase of their life cycle. Once these adult fish are ready, they can be released back into the river to spawn naturally and bolster existing wild populations.

This initiative, if approved by DFO Gulf, represents an important and forward-looking step toward establishing a stocking program for the Miramichi. By protecting these smolt through to adulthood, we can help increase the number of returning spawners and strengthen the river’s natural salmon population over time. If successful and approved by DFO, this program could serve as a critical tool in the recovery and long-term sustainability of Atlantic salmon in the Miramichi system.

At our Saint John Dinner this year, Dr. Kurt Samways delivered an engaging presentation on the Fundy Salmon Recovery program, which is achieving impressive results in the Bay of Fundy region. The program, a collaboration between several partners including Cooke Aquaculture, Parks Canada, UNB and local First Nations, has demonstrated that adult salmon released back into their native rivers after being raised to maturity in marine net pens can successfully spawn and contribute to the recovery of endangered populations. The progress being made through this initiative offers valuable lessons — and hope — for salmon conservation efforts across Atlantic Canada. I encourage everyone who has not yet done so to visit their website to learn more about this innovative and promising program: www.fundysalmonrecovery.com.

On a final note, we’re getting ready for our Carleton County Christmas Auction and our annual “End of Season” donation campaign. These initiatives are a wonderful way to wrap up the year and continue supporting MSA’s important conservation work through the winter. We hope you’ll join in by making a year-end donation or by picking up a few Christmas gifts through our online auction, launching at the end of November. Every contribution — big or small — helps us protect and restore Atlantic salmon for future generations.

Warm regards,

William (Butch) Dalton

President, Miramichi Salmon Association

MSA Fredericton Dinner & Auction

A Great Evening Celebrating Norm Betts & Laura Gilks

The Miramichi Salmon Association’s Fredericton Dinner was a tremendous success, bringing together a packed room of supporters to celebrate Atlantic salmon conservation and the contributions of two outstanding honourees — Norm Betts and Laura Gilks. The evening was filled with camaraderie, lively conversation, and a shared passion for protecting the Miramichi’s iconic salmon. Guests enjoyed an excellent dinner, a spirited auction, and the opportunity to recognize Norm and Laura for their dedication and long-standing commitment to the MSA and conservation in New Brunswick.

It was truly a fun and memorable night in support of MSA’s ongoing work. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who attended, to our live and silent auction donors, and to our dinner sponsors whose generosity made the evening possible. A special thank you goes to Cooke Aquaculture for donating the delicious smoked salmon enjoyed during the cocktail hour — a fitting start to a night celebrating our river’s rich heritage and the people working tirelessly to protect it.

Scouting for Beaver Dams

Thanks to Marcus

A big thank you to Marcus for generously donating his time and helicopter to assist the MSA team in scouting for beaver dams.

Beaver dams can block Atlantic salmon from reaching critical upstream spawning habitat. When salmon are unable to pass these barriers, they are forced to spawn in crowded, lower-quality areas, which reduces egg survival and can negatively impact future populations. While dam notching can restore access, timing is everything; beavers are capable of repairing dams within just 24 to 48 hours. That’s why notching efforts must be carefully timed with the salmon’s fall migration to ensure they have the best chance of reaching high-quality habitat upstream.

Miramichi River Stories

Episode 22 - Dr. Rick Cunjak Part 1

In Episode 22 of Miramichi River Stories watch Dr. Rick Cunjak discuss his love for the water, his interest in fish biology, and his work along the Miramichi River. He started working in the Miramichi in the late 80's and has seen first hand the challenges that Atlantic salmon has faced over the years. Watch the episode at the link below.

Watch Here

Bud Bird Award in Salmon Conservation

Congratulations to Manley Price

This year’s MSA Bud Bird Award in Atlantic Salmon Conservation was presented to Manley Price at a special ceremony held at the Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre. The event brought together friends, colleagues, and supporters to celebrate Manley’s many years of dedicated service to the Miramichi Salmon Association and his tireless efforts to protect and enhance Atlantic salmon populations. His long-standing commitment, leadership, and passion for the river exemplify the spirit of the Bud Bird Award. The MSA extends heartfelt congratulations and thanks to Manley for his remarkable contributions to salmon conservation and to the Miramichi community.

The ceremony also featured the presentation of the Bud and Peggy Bird Scholarship to Heather Perry — congratulations to Heather on this well-deserved honour. The ceremony brought together conservation partners, academic leaders, provincial representatives, and community members to celebrate our shared dedication to Atlantic salmon and the rivers that sustain them.

Spawning at the MSCC

Thank you to all volunteers and supporters

As we wrap up our spawning season at the Miramichi Salmon Conservation Centre, the hard work and dedication of our staff and volunteers from UNB/CRI, Anqotum, and the Greater Kouchibouguac Watershed Association has been paramount to the success of this program.

This critical time in the Atlantic salmon life cycle is essential for ensuring the future of Atlantic salmon in the Miramichi River system. This year our team collected wild broodstock from the Dungarvon River and has almost completed spawning of our smolt-to-adult Dungarvon hatchery broodstock to support our ongoing Dungarvon River experimental fry stocking program, which aims to replenish salmon populations and support the overall health of the ecosystem.

Staff will care for the incubating eggs, close to 1 million this year, all winter until they hatch in the spring and are stocked as first-feeding fry back into the Dungarvon River. Egg care requires daily water quality monitoring and cleaning of filters and tanks, weekly anti-fungal treatments, and detailed data collection. Their commitment to this work and attention to care for these eggs is crucial for the success of this program!

This shared effort reflects the strong community spirit that defines the MSA and reminds us that, by working together, we can help secure a thriving future for Atlantic salmon in the Miramichi. We extend a huge thank you to our volunteers and supporters this year!

MSA Saint John Dinner & Auction

A Outstanding Evening Honouring Kevin Harris

The Miramichi Salmon Association’s Saint John Dinner, held at the Delta Brunswick in historic Saint John, was another outstanding evening in support of Atlantic salmon conservation. The event brought together a full house of passionate supporters for a night of great food, friendship, and shared purpose. This year’s honouree, Kevin Harris, delivered a heartfelt and inspiring speech reflecting on his deep connection to the river and his long-time commitment to conservation. Guests also enjoyed an engaging presentation by Dr. Kurt Samways, who highlighted the groundbreaking work of Fundy Salmon Recovery and its vital role in restoring wild Atlantic salmon populations.

It was a truly memorable night celebrating the Miramichi and all those dedicated to its future. The MSA extends sincere thanks to everyone who attended, to our live and silent auction donors, and to our sponsors whose support helps make our conservation efforts possible. We’re deeply grateful to all who contributed to the success of the evening — your generosity and enthusiasm continue to drive our mission forward.

Miramichi 2025 Salmon Report: Review of Ending Trap Numbers for Millerton and Cassillis

by Brad Burns

The final trap counts for Miramichi salmon and grilse are now in. We’ve taken a little closer look at them, added some graphics, and tried to make sense of the better than expected grilse year on the river as well as what it may mean for next year’s salmon run...

Last Miramichi Salmon of the Season

Congratulations Richard McGuigan

On October 15th at 12:41 p.m., Richard McGuigan landed the final salmon of the 2025 season on the Southwest Miramichi River at Salmon Brook — a memorable way to close another year on the water. Using a Marabou fly with a red tail, he combined patience, skill, and experience to bring this remarkable fish to hand.

In recognition of this accomplishment, Richard will receive a custom plaque featuring artwork by renowned New York artist John Rice. This beautiful piece not only celebrates Richard’s successful catch but also reflects the enduring spirit and natural beauty of the Miramichi.

The “Last Salmon” award has become a proud MSA tradition — honouring anglers who embody the dedication, respect, and conservation ethic that define salmon fishing on the Miramichi. Congratulations, Richard, on this well-deserved recognition, and here’s to many more great days on the river!

MSA Board of Directors Meeting

Freeport, ME - November 15th

The Miramichi Salmon Association’s next Board of Directors meeting will be held on Saturday, November 15th, 2025, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Freeport, Maine.

This meeting will bring together MSA’s leadership to review ongoing initiatives, discuss strategic priorities, and plan for the year ahead. Board members are encouraged to attend in person to participate fully in these important discussions. A detailed agenda and supporting materials will be circulated in advance of the meeting.

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us in Freeport for this important session.