The Margaree Salmon Association in northern Cape Breton has been utilizing electrofishing as a method to monitor fish populations in the Margaree River over recent years. This technique involves using an electric current to temporarily stun fish, enabling crews to safely catch, measure, and identify them before releasing them back into the water.
According to Michael Fabiano, the conservation co-ordinator of the association, electrofishing operations are conducted from May through late September. Despite processing thousands of fish each season, the process incurs a two per cent mortality rate. Fish safety is a top priority, with crews refraining from electrofishing in high water temperature conditions.
To ensure the safety of crew members working with electricity in water, current levels are carefully set to only stun fish briefly. Crew members wear protective gear such as heavy rubber gloves and chest waders to prevent injuries. There have been no reports of serious shocks among crew members during Fabiano’s 18-month tenure with the organization.
Crews conduct surveys along the 120-kilometre river to pinpoint the most productive streams and evaluate the overall health of the fish population. The catch predominantly consists of trout and Atlantic salmon, with occasional eels and lampreys making up about 95 per cent of the total catch. This season, the association has captured and released approximately 1,800 fish across nine streams, a decrease from the previous year which may be attributed to adverse weather conditions.
Paul MacNeil, the association’s president, noted an increase in scientific research efforts due to reduced data collection by Fisheries and Oceans Canada in the past five years. Established in 1982, the association aims to gather reliable data to monitor river health amidst changing climate conditions. To overcome the data gap, the association collaborated with the Chéticamp River Salmon Association to acquire electrofishing equipment. While manual fish counting by swimming the river is also conducted, MacNeil emphasized that electrofishing provides more precise data on juvenile fish populations within specific territories.
Overall, the Margaree Salmon Association’s adoption of electrofishing reflects a commitment to conservation and scientific research in safeguarding the health of the Margaree River’s fish population.
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