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President’s Update
As we move into the heart of summer, it’s been encouraging to see the river system still full of water and holding fish. These favourable conditions have led to a much-improved spring and early summer fishery compared to recent years, with more positive reports coming in from across the watershed. It’s a welcome change, and we hope it continues.
Unfortunately, we were once again deeply disappointed not to receive permits for our proposed adult salmon stocking program. While this remains a major concern, we continue to engage with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and will maintain these discussions until we secure approval for a path forward. In the meantime, our fry stocking program is now complete, and I’m pleased to report that it went very well. This success is due in large part to our hardworking field team. I want to thank our dedicated staff, who put in some exceptionally long hours to get the job done, and to our summer students, who provided invaluable support throughout the program. Your commitment to salmon conservation is at the core of what we do, and it does not go unnoticed.
Looking ahead, we’re shifting into the next phase of our fieldwork. Our remaining summer programs are ramping up, and we do not anticipate any major issues. At the same time, we are also undertaking some important improvements at the hatchery in South Esk. These upgrades are designed to enhance our capacity to grow healthy fish for release when a stocking program is finally approved. We’re confident these improvements will pay dividends in the seasons to come.
On the policy side, we continue to press DFO to support the recently released Plamu First report. This important document has the potential to align interests across sectors and promote a collaborative, shared decision-making model—rather than the top-down approach currently employed. We believe this kind of change is essential for the future of Atlantic salmon on the Miramichi and beyond. With the recent appointment of the Honourable Joanne Thompson as Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, we are hopeful that she will recognize the crisis currently facing the Miramichi and take meaningful steps to support recovery and long-term conservation efforts.
Finally, we’re looking forward to seeing many of you this fall. On October 2nd, we’ll host the Bud Bird Award in Salmon Conservation at the Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre—a meaningful opportunity to celebrate contributions to our cause. That same evening, we’ll gather for the Fredericton Dinner and Auction. And on October 22nd, we hope to welcome you to our Saint John Dinner and Auction.
As always, thank you for your ongoing support. The work continues—and we’re proud to do it together.
Tight lines
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