In the northern region of Cape Breton, the Margaree Salmon Association has been utilizing electrofishing as a method to monitor the fish populations within the Margaree River over the past few years. This technique involves the use of an electric current to momentarily stun the fish, allowing the crews to safely capture, measure, and identify them before releasing them back into the river.
Michael Fabiano, the conservation co-ordinator for the association, mentioned that the electrofishing activities typically take place from May to late September. Despite processing thousands of fish each season, the method results in a low two per cent mortality rate. Fabiano emphasized that fish safety is a top priority, and electrofishing operations are avoided when water temperatures are too high.
To ensure the safety of both the fish and the crew members, specific current levels are set to cause the fish to momentarily roll over. Crew members wear heavy rubber gloves and chest waders to prevent any injuries from the electric current. Fabiano noted that in his 18 months with the group, no crew members have experienced a serious shock.
The crews conduct surveys along the 120-kilometre river to identify the most productive streams and evaluate the overall health of the fish population. The catch predominantly consists of trout and Atlantic salmon, with occasional appearances of eels and lampreys, making up about 95% of the total catch.
This season, the association has captured and released approximately 1,800 fish across nine streams, showing a decrease from the previous year. Fabiano attributed this decline partially to the challenging conditions experienced the previous year, with low water levels and high temperatures impacting the Margaree River significantly.
Paul MacNeil, the association’s president, highlighted that the group has intensified its scientific research efforts due to reduced data collection by Fisheries and Oceans Canada over the past five years. Established in 1982, the association aims to gather reliable data to monitor the river’s health amidst changing climate conditions.
To address the data gap, the association collaborated with the Chéticamp River Salmon Association to acquire electrofishing equipment. While traditional fish counting methods involve swimming the river, MacNeil emphasized that electrofishing provides more precise data on the juvenile fish population.
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