In northern Cape Breton, the Margaree Salmon Association has been utilizing electrofishing to monitor fish populations in the Margaree River for the past few years. This method involves using an electric current to temporarily stun fish, allowing crews to safely catch, measure, and identify them before releasing them back into the river.
Michael Fabiano, the association’s conservation co-ordinator, mentioned that electrofishing operations typically run from May through late September, with a minimal two percent mortality rate among the thousands of fish processed each season. Crews prioritize fish safety, ensuring they do not administer shocks when water temperatures are too high.
The crew carefully sets current levels to cause fish to roll over briefly, wearing protective gear like heavy rubber gloves and chest waders to prevent accidents while working with electricity in water. The survey covers various locations along the 120-kilometre river to pinpoint the most productive streams and evaluate the overall health of the fish population, primarily consisting of trout, Atlantic salmon, and occasional eels and lampreys.
This season, the association has captured and released approximately 1,800 fish across nine streams, a decrease from the previous year. Fabiano attributed this decline partly to the challenging conditions last year, including low water levels and high temperatures during a severe drought that impacted the Margaree River.
Paul MacNeil, the association’s president, highlighted the increased focus on scientific research due to reduced data collection efforts by Fisheries and Oceans Canada over the past five years. By partnering with the Chéticamp River Salmon Association to acquire electrofishing equipment, the Margaree Salmon Association aims to gather reliable data to monitor changes in river health amid shifting climate conditions.
While members also conduct fish counts by swimming in the river, MacNeil emphasized that electrofishing provides more precise data on juvenile fish populations within specific territories. This approach ensures a comprehensive assessment of the river’s ecosystem health and aids in conservation efforts.
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