The Margaree Salmon Association in northern Cape Breton has been utilizing electrofishing for the past several years to monitor fish populations in the Margaree River. This method involves using an electric current to briefly stun fish, enabling crews to safely capture, measure, and identify them before releasing them back into the river. Michael Fabiano, the association’s conservation co-ordinator, mentioned that electrofishing activities are conducted from May to late September, with a minimal two per cent mortality rate among the thousands of fish handled each season.

Fish safety is a top priority for the association, and precautions are taken to ensure the well-being of the fish. Crews carefully regulate the electric current to temporarily immobilize the fish for a short period. To mitigate any risk of electrical accidents in the water, team members wear protective gear such as heavy rubber gloves and chest waders. Over the past 18 months, no crew members have experienced any serious shocks while working with the group.

The crews conduct surveys along the 120-kilometre river to pinpoint the most productive streams and evaluate the overall health of the fish population. The majority of the catch includes trout and Atlantic salmon, with occasional findings of eels and lampreys. This season, around 1,800 fish have been caught and released from nine streams, a decrease from previous years, which might be attributed to challenging conditions experienced last year, including low water levels and high temperatures due to a severe drought.

Paul MacNeil, the association’s president, emphasized the increased focus on scientific research due to reduced data collection efforts by Fisheries and Oceans Canada over the past five years. Founded in 1982, the association aims to gather reliable data to monitor river health amidst changing climate patterns. In collaboration with the Chéticamp River Salmon Association, the Margaree Salmon Association acquired electrofishing equipment. While traditional fish counting methods are still employed, electrofishing provides more precise data on juvenile fish populations within specific territories.

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