The Margaree Salmon Association in northern Cape Breton 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 capture, measure, and identify them before releasing them back into the river.
According to Michael Fabiano, the conservation co-ordinator of the association, electrofishing operations are conducted from May to late September with a low two percent mortality rate among the thousands of fish processed each season. Crews prioritize fish safety and avoid electrofishing in high water temperature conditions.
To ensure safety while working with electricity in water, crew members wear heavy rubber gloves and chest waders. The current levels are adjusted to momentarily immobilize the fish for a brief period. No serious electrical incidents have occurred during Fabiano’s tenure of 18 months with the organization.
Crews conduct surveys along the 120-kilometre river to identify the most productive streams and evaluate overall fish health. The catch primarily consists of trout and Atlantic salmon, with occasional sightings of eels and lampreys. This season, the association has captured and released approximately 1,800 fish across nine streams, reflecting a decrease from the previous year.
President Paul MacNeil mentioned that the association 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 river health amid shifting climate conditions.
To address the data gap, the association collaborated with the Chéticamp River Salmon Association to procure electrofishing equipment. While manual fish counting in the river is also conducted, MacNeil emphasized that electrofishing provides more precise data on juvenile fish populations.
The electrofishing activities have enhanced the association’s ability to capture juvenile fish accurately within specific territories. This approach offers valuable insights into the river’s ecosystem and aids in tracking changes over time.