The Margaree Salmon Association in northern Cape Breton has been utilizing electrofishing for the past few years to monitor fish populations in the Margaree River. This method involves using an electric current to temporarily stun fish, allowing crews to safely capture, measure, and identify them before releasing them back into the water.
Michael Fabiano, the conservation co-ordinator of the association, mentioned that electrofishing operations run from May to late September with a two percent mortality rate among the thousands of fish handled each season. Safety of the fish is their top priority, and they avoid electrofishing in high water temperatures.
The crews carefully regulate the electric current to only briefly affect the fish, ensuring minimal harm. They wear protective gear like heavy rubber gloves and chest waders to prevent any injuries. No crew members have experienced a significant shock during Fabiano’s tenure.
Surveying various spots along the 120-kilometre river allows them to pinpoint the most productive streams and evaluate the overall well-being of the fish population. The majority of the catch includes trout and Atlantic salmon, with occasional sightings of eels and lampreys. This season, the association has captured and released around 1,800 fish from nine streams, a decrease from the previous year possibly due to challenging conditions in the past.
Paul MacNeil, the association’s president, mentioned that they intensified their scientific research efforts due to reduced data collection by Fisheries and Oceans Canada in the past five years. Established in 1982, the association sought reliable data to monitor river health amidst shifting climate patterns. To bridge the data gap, they collaborated with the Chéticamp River Salmon Association to procure electrofishing equipment. While members also conduct fish counts by swimming in the river, electrofishing provides more precise data on juvenile fish populations.
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