Habitat Evaluation, Restauration and Education for the Salmonid Populations in the Shediac Bay Watershed

Habitat Evaluation, Restauration and Education for the Salmonid populations in the Shediac Bay Watershed

Prepared for: New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation DFO Recreational Fisheries Partnership Program

Prepared by:

Shediac Bay Watershed Association Jolyne Hébert

November 30th, 2015

Table of Contents

Abstract...... v 1. Introduction ...... 1 2. Project results ...... 2 2.1 Electrofishing Surveys ...... 2 2.2 Electrofishing Sites Descriptions and Results ...... 3 2.2.1 Scotch Settlement (EShdB-01) ...... 4 2.2.2 Dionne Brook (EScdB-01)...... 6 2.2.3 Pellerin Road (EScdF-01) ...... 8 2.3 Trout and salmon Restocking ...... 9 3. Habitat enhancement ...... 10 3.1 Beaver Dams ...... 10 3.2 Dionne Brook Bank Stabilization ...... 13 3.3 Fish Ladder ...... 15 4. Education and Public Awareness ...... 17 4.1 Fish friends Program ...... 17 4.2 Other Outreach Activities ...... 19 4.2.1 Newsletter ...... 19 4.2.2 Shediac Market and Community Events ...... 19 4.2.3 News Coverage ...... 20 4.2.4 Online Presence ...... 20 5. Conclusion ...... 21 6. APPENDIX A - Electrofishing Survey Data Summary SBWA 2015...... 22 7. APPENDIX B – Map of Sites ...... 28 8. ANNEX 1 – SBWA Newsletter Summer 2015 ...... 32 9. ANNEX 2 – Media Coverage ...... 33

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Table of Figures

Figure 1: Shediac Bay watershed with major tributaries ...... 1 Figure 2 Field team conducting electrofishing survey: Field team conducting electrofishing survey ...... 2 Figure 3: Graphic showing fish abundance per site for the SBWA Electrofishing surveys of 2015 ...... 3 Figure 4: On the left is a Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and on the right is a Atlantic salmon parr (Salmo salar) 5 Figure 5: Comparing the tails of the brook trout (left) and Atlantic salmon (right), comparing the tails of the brook trout (left) and Atlantic salmon (right) ...... 5 Figure 6: Graphic showing a comparison of fish abundance between surveys in 2014 and 2015 for the site EShdB-01 ...... 6 Figure 7: To the left, field team conducting electrofishing survey, to the right is an Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) .... 7 Figure 8: Graphic showing a comparison of fish abundance between surveys in 2014 and 2015 for the site EScdF-01 ...... 9 Figure 9: Top photos are the before pictures, middle photos showing the removal of wood and beginning lowering the dam with shovels, bottom photos showing the continuance of reduction until the stream is leveled and flowing properly...... 11 Figure 10: Top photos show before and after of debris cleanup between beaver dam 3 & 4, middle and bottom photos showing tree planting on the exposed mud ...... 12 Figure 11: Before photos of Dionne Brook Restoration site, showing the eroding meander and turbidity due to sedimentation ...... 13 Figure 12: From left to right; assembling the retaining wall, digging the trenches, installation of the retaining wall and filling trenches with rock and soil ...... 14 Figure 13: From left to right; attaching deflector trees, view of deflectors, T-bar on riverbank to attach deflectors with Nylon rope, trees planted directly over retaining wall, straw added to cover soil, final view ...... 15 Figure 14: From left to right: carrying the fish ladder, floating it over to the culvert, installation, group photo of staff and volunteers, view of the front, view overhead ...... 16 Figure 15: Left photo showing trout in the aquarium, right photo showing a classroom presentation ...... 18 Figure 16: Fish Friends field trip, from left to right: student releasing trout, teachers releasing trout, presentation on freshwater mussels, field trip group photo of both classes of the 3rd grade MFB, School June 2015 ...... 19 Figure 17: At the Shediac Farmer's Martket in the Park ...... 19 Figure 18: Map of Electrofishing Site EShdB-01, SBWA 2015 ...... 28 Figure 19: Map of Electrofishing Site EScdB-01 and Restoration Site in the Dionne Brook, SBWA 2015 ...... 29 Figure 20: Map of Electrofishing Site EScdF-01, SBWA 2015 ...... 30 Figure 21: Map of Beaver Dam Restoration Site, SBWA 2015 ...... 31

Table of Tables

Table 1 Details on catch-per-sweep and fish measurements for the site EShdB-01 in McQuade Brook, Electrofishing survey SBWA 2015 ...... 22 Table 2: Details on catch-per-sweep and fish measurements for the site EScdB-01 in the Dionne Brook, Electrofishing survey SBWA 2015 ...... 23 Table 3: Details on catch-per-sweep and fish measurements for the site EScdF-01, in the Scoudouc River, Electrofishing survey SBWA 2015 ...... 25 Table 4: Species Codes and Names ...... 27

Abstract

This project reports on the activities of the Shediac Bay Watershed Association under the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund, Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation for the year 2015.

The group has worked on different aspects regarding fish habitat.

Three Electrofishing surveys have been done in three sites on both the Scoudouc and Shediac rivers. The sites were chosen to measure the impact of restoration projects and provide data to evaluate restocking possibilities. We found brook trout in all three sites and two sites had salmon parr present.

Restoration work was done on three sites. The first site on the Shediac River had issues with fish passage because of abandoned beaver dams. These were removed and the bank stabilized with native trees and shrubs. The second site with fish passage issues is an elevated culvert also along the Shediac River. A 10 foot aluminum fish ladder was installed to allow fish safe passage. The third site on the Scoudouc River had excessive bank erosion that was remediated using a retaining wall, tree deflectors and native tree plantings.

Many educational activities on fish and their habitat were done during the project. Two classes in the local school participated in the Fish Friends program to raise and release young trout. They received presentations and a field outing. The SBWA had a kiosk during the summer at the Shediac market. The Association also prepared a newsletter and an online presence for this project on the website and Facebook page. Finally there was some coverage in the media on different aspects of this project.

1. Introduction

The Shediac Bay Watershed Association (SBWA) is a not-for-profit organization located in Shediac, New Brunswick. The SBWA was founded in 1999 as a result of growing concerns among residents from various local communities over the ecological health of the Shediac Bay. A Board of Directors, representing the various communities found within the 400 km2 watershed boundaries, oversees its activities. The Association deals with issues related to water quality and habitat integrity.

The Shediac Bay Watershed Association has been enhancing our coastline, rivers, brooks and streams for over a decade. Our watershed has recovered from a series of setbacks and is now in an improved state of environmental health. One of our priority goals is to enhance the numbers of the natural salmonid populations. The Shediac and Scoudouc rivers and their tributaries have potential for ideal spawning habitat. This project is also designed to engage and educate the stakeholders who have a vested interest in the health and use of the two rivers.

Figure 1: Shediac Bay watershed with major tributaries

2. Project results

The Association worked on four areas for this project: electrofishing surveys, trout restocking, habitat enhancement and education.

2.1 Electrofishing Surveys

Electrofishing surveys from the years 2005, 2014 and 2015, showed that there is a confirmed presence of Atlantic salmon parr (Salmo salar) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in both main river systems within the Shediac Bay watershed, namely the Shediac and Scoudouc Rivers.

There’s a need for better information related to the population numbers and trends of salmonids in the Shediac Bay catchment to be able to draft a management and restocking plan. According to local anglers, various fish species densities drastically decreased over the last two decades in both Shediac and Scoudouc River systems. Brook trout populations in the Shediac and Scoudouc Rivers have been depleted for a variety of causes, namely: habitat degradation; recreational overfishing; and commercial (by-catch) mortality. In recent years, much has been done to address these factors.

The Association has trained its biologist and received permits to do electrofishing surveys to gather data around restoration sites. The figure 2 demonstrate members of the field team conducting electrofishing survey. The surveys are done immediately after the restoration work is completed to provide a snapshot of the current life in the degraded habitat, then surveyed again in the following years. This information will serve as a baseline to evaluate the impact of the restoration work.

Figure 2 Field team conducting electrofishing survey: Field team conducting electrofishing survey

2.2 Electrofishing Sites Descriptions and Results

A summary of the raw data can be found in Appendix A. The field sheets will also be available at the Shediac Bay Watershed office upon request.

Electrofishing Data Summary - SBWA 2015 145 140 135 130 125 120 115 110 105 100 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 Number Number of Fishcaught 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 EShdB-01 EScdF-01 EScdB-01 Species of Fish caught Brook trout Atlantic salmon Blacknose dace Common shiner

Brook stickleback White sucker Golden shiner Threespine stickleback

Figure 3: Graphic showing fish abundance per site for the SBWA Electrofishing surveys of 2015

2.2.1 Scotch Settlement (EShdB-01)

This site is located in the McQuade Brook, a tributary to the Shediac River. It was accessed through a private property with landowner permission, at 566 Scotch Settlement Rd. The site is upstream from the bridge on Scotch Settlement Rd, approximately 170 m from the intersection of Maclean Crossroads Rd.

This is a restoration site from 2014, and the transformation of the habitat after one year is significant. The habitat was described as degraded by the presence of beaver dams. The substrate was covered with thick layer of sediment and was characterized as; 5% rubble, 5% gravel, 30% sand and 60% fines. There was erosion along the riverbanks due to the loss of trees from beaver activity. Most importantly, there were vast accumulations of woody debris spanning the full width of the bank, on a 100 meter stretch of important spawning habitat. One section was so dense and filled with sediment, the water course created a channel through the bank in order to flow.

One year after the cleaning of the wood debris, the heavy loads of fines sediments have been flushed out to reveal clean gravel bars, sand bars and natural riffles. The substrate can now be characterized as: 15% rubble, 55 % gravel, 25% sand 5% fines. Some sections, mainly located along meanders, still have fine sediments accumulations that will continue to be washed out over time.

The length of the electrofishing survey site is 45 meters, and it breaks down into approximately 20% run, 34% riffle and 46% pool. The channel width is an average of 5.4 m, wet width average of 3.2 m and average depth of 12.4 cm. The water flow was calculated at 0.024 m3/sec and the water velocity was calculated at 0.66 m/sec. The water temperature was measured at 17.92°C, and the visibility was good. The overhanging vegetation for the left bank was described as 40% and 25% for the right bank. The percentage of undercut bank on the left bank is 15% and 5% for the right bank.

This site had 6 species of fish present in the survey. This is one site surveyed that had Atlantic salmon present. There were 3 Atlantic salmon parr (Salmo salar) found, and the total lengths of two salmon 12.5 cm and the third was 15.0 cm. Also at this site, 1 brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) of 16.0 cm in length was found. See figure 4 and 5 for salmon and trout comparison.

The most common species was the blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus) with 62 individuals collected. Also counted during the survey were 23 common shiners (Notropis cornutus), 30 threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and 1 white sucker (Catostomus commersoni).

Figure 4: On the left is a Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and on the right is a Atlantic salmon parr (Salmo salar)

Figure 5: Comparing the tails of the brook trout (left) and Atlantic salmon (right), comparing the tails of the brook trout (left) and Atlantic salmon (right)

When comparing results one year after the restoration work took place, we can observe an increase in most species caught, mainly the blacknose dace, common shiner and threespine sticklebacks. The white sucker a bottom feeding fish was found in 2015 but not in 2014.

When looking at our salmonids, we see a decrease in brook trout but what intriguing here, is the new presence of Atlantic salmon, where 3 individuals where found and none were caught in 2014. See figure 6

For more details on catch-per-sweep and fish measurements, refer to Appendix A.

Comparison of Electrofishing surveys for the years 2014

and 2015 for the site EShdB-01, at the Scotch Settlement Restoration site 160 150 140 130 120 110 100 90 80 70 60 50 40

Fish caught Numberof 30 20 10 0 Brook Trout Atlantic Salmon Blacknose Dace Common Shiner Threespine White Sucker Stickleback Species of Fish caught EShdB-01 2014 EShdB-01 2015

Figure 6: Graphic showing a comparison of fish abundance between surveys in 2014 and 2015 for the site EShdB-01

2.2.2 Dionne Brook (EScdB-01)

This site is located in the Dionne Brook, a tributary to the Scoudouc River and it was accessed through a private property, for which we have permission from the landowner. The site is upstream from the bridge on Route 132 next to Dionne road in Scoudouc.

The habitat here was modified by a severed erosion issue caused by a meander located in an old agricultural field. The soil is loose and only held by grasses, allowing this branch of the Scoudouc River to continuously erode in this section. This erosion problem is causing heavy loads of fine sediments to be discharge into the brook, therefore covering the substrate and modifying the habitat.

This site is a restoration site for 2015, therefore the electrofishing survey described below will serve as a before snapshot of the populations living in this degraded habitat. For restoration work details, see section “Habitat Enhancement”.

The substrate was described as: 35% rubble, 15% gravel, 30% sand and 20% fines. This specific section is located directly above the severely eroding meander, it was chosen due to lower water levels and for safety. The meander and the site directly downstream of it were not ideal for electrofishing survey due to alder overgrowth and thick layers of sediments, making movements with electrofishing gear near impossible.

The length of the electrofishing survey site is 60 meters, and it breaks down into approximately 68% run, 7% riffle and 25% pool. The channel width is an average of 8.3 m, wet width average of 5.7 m and average depth of 42 cm. The water flow was calculated at 0.344 m3/sec and the water velocity was calculated at 0.160 m/sec. The water temperature was measured at 8.65 °C, and the visibility was poor. The overhanging vegetation for the left bank was described as 65% and 80% for the right bank. The percentage of undercut bank on the left bank is 5% and also 5% for the right bank.

This site had a total of 9 species of fish present in the survey. We found 1 Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and 1 brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) of similar lengths, 11.0 cm and 11.5 cm respectively. The most common species was the blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus), with 41 individuals collected. There was also 14 white sucker (Catostomus commersoni), 34 common shiner (Notropis cornutus), 1 golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas), 21 threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and 1 ninespine stickleback (Pungitius pungitius). See figure 3.

For more details on catch-per-sweep and fish measurements, refer to Appendix A.

Figure 7: To the left, field team conducting electrofishing survey, to the right is an Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

2.2.3 Pellerin Road (EScdF-01)

This site is a previous restoration site from 2014. It is located in the Scoudouc River, and was accessed by a small bridge on a dirt road called Pellerin Rd, connected to Lino Rd. The site is upstream from the bridge, and the habitat was modified due to the presence of beaver activity.

The substrate remains covered by fine particles with a small amount of sand, with an almost negligible amount of rubble and gravel (5% rubble, 5% gravel, 10% sand, 80% fines). The slow transformation of this site is possibly attributed to the slow water velocity.

The length of the electrofishing survey site is 33 meters, and it breaks down into approximately 79% run and 21% pool. The channel width is an average of 3 m, wet width average is also 3 m and average depth of 28.5 cm. The water flow was calculated at 0.271 m3/sec and the water velocity was calculated at 0.283 m/sec. The water temperature was measured at 12.6 °C, and the visibility was poor. The overhanging vegetation for the left bank was described as 5% and also 5% for the right bank. The percentage of undercut bank on the left bank is 25% and 5% for the right bank.

This site had 6 species of fish present in the survey. We found 2 brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) of different lengths, 7.0 cm and 16.5 cm. The most common species was the blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus), with 31 individuals collected. There was also 9 threespine stickleback (Culaea inconstans), 7 white sucker (Catostomus commersoni), 16 common shiner (Notropis cornutus), and 1 golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas).

When comparing results one year after the restoration work took place, we can notice an increase in the blacknose dace, threespine sticklebacks and white sucker fish. We see a decrease in golden shiners and common shiners. The absence of fourspine stickleback may be explained by the time of year of the surveys: in 2014 the survey was done in the month of August, and in 2015, the month of October.

When looking at our brook trout, the results are very similar: 3 caught in 2014 and 2 in 2015. See figure 8

For more details on catch-per-sweep and fish measurements, refer to Appendix A.

Comparison of Electrofishing surveys for the years 2014 and 2015 for the site EScdF-01, at the Pellerin road

Restoration site 35

15 10

Number of Fish Fish caught Numberof 5

0 Brook Trout Blacknose Golden Shiner Common Threespine Fourspine White Sucker Dace Shiner Stickleback stickleback Species of Fish caught EScdF-01 2014 EScdF-01 2015

Figure 8: Graphic showing a comparison of fish abundance between surveys in 2014 and 2015 for the site EScdF-01

2.3 Trout and salmon Restocking

Before embarking on a bigger restocking project, the Association must continue to do populations assessments and habitat assessments to determine restocking possibilities. This data needs to be gathered in order to apply for a restocking permit “License for Introduction and Transfer” with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

The electrofishing results have shown the presence of brook trout and salmon in both the Shediac and Scoudouc Rivers. Their presence is already an indication that there is suitable habitat in our watershed, and is one indication that restocking is in fact a possibility. We have been making good progress in this pursuit of data, thanks to our surveys from 2005, 2014, and 2015. There is a need to continue the surveys and expand the population and habitat studies.

For the past 2 years, the SBWA has been raising trout eggs in a classroom aquarium as part of the Fish Friends program. In June of 2014, approximately 100 juvenile brook trout where released in the Shediac River. In June of 2015, 148 juvenile brook trout where released in the Scoudouc River. This program allows us to begin restocking on a small scale.

We have done a site visit with the Friends of the Kouchibouguacis to see the methods used for incubating salmon eggs in streams. They will provided salmon eggs that will be used in the Fish Friends program and subsequently will be released in the Kouchibouguacis River in 2016. This program could be a possibility for the Shediac Bay Watershed.

3. Habitat enhancement

Two sites were selected for habitat enhancement that was funded by the Wildlife Trust Fund, Department of Fisheries Recreation Fisheries Partnership Program and the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation.

3.1 Beaver Dams This site is located in a tributary to the McQuade Brook, a tributary to the Shediac River and it was accessed by MacLean Crossroad road, approximately 0.3 km from Scotch Settlement road, or 2.3 km from Shediac River Road. The access point is at the culvert and the site is upstream of the road.

These sites had significant fish movement impediments caused by the presence of beaver dams. Four large beaver dams along a brook caused large areas to be flooded with warm stagnant water which were filled with sediment and significant summer algae growth.

The habitat between the beaver ponds was mostly fine sediment with negligible amount of rock (10% rubble, 10% sand, 80% fines), and the pond’s substrate was covered with thick mud (10% sand, 90% fines). Surrounding vegetation consisted of razor grass and mixed forest beyond the riverbanks, providing 0% vegetation cover over the flooded areas.

The 4 beaver dams covered a 225 meter stretch of this stream. These were old abandoned beaver dams with large amounts of sediments trapped within them. The dams were removed manually, with the help of shovels and rakes.

The process began with removing the surface wood, then staff used shovels to reduce layers off the top of the dam. As we reached the surface of the water, less than 8 inches off the top of the dam was reduced per day, in accordance with the guidelines provided in the watercourse alteration permit. This limit of 8 inches is to reduce the amount of sediment being discharged per day.

The strategy consisted of beginning to reduce the 4th and further dam, then make our way down to reduce the next 3 dams downstream. This method was recommended by provincial biologists.

Once the flooded areas were drained and dried, approximately 95 trees were planted to eventually provide shade and help with stabilization of the banks. The team then spread clover seeds throughout the entire area where there was exposed soil, covering a surface of approximately 5,200m2 or 0.5 hectares.

All trees planted consisted of native species, such as white spruce, tamarack, balsam fir and red maple. The trees were provided by transplanting trees from the woodlot of “Vert l’Avenir” farm in Grand-Digue NB. The clover seeds used where a mix of red and white clover, purchased at the Farmer’s Co-op in Moncton NB.

The photos in figure 9 shows a few examples of the beaver dam removal process, and figure 10 shows addition cleaning and tree planting.

Figure 9: Top photos are the before pictures, middle photos showing the removal of wood and beginning lowering the dam with shovels, bottom photos showing the continuance of reduction until the stream is leveled and flowing properly.

Figure 10: Top photos show before and after of debris cleanup between beaver dam 3 & 4, middle and bottom photos showing tree planting on the exposed mud

3.2 Dionne Brook Bank Stabilization

The SBWA identified a severe erosion problem in the Dionne Brook, a tributary to the Scoudouc River. A meander in an ancient agricultural field was continually shifting and eroding in the loose, nutrient rich soil, containing no root system other than grasses. This erosion was creating heavy loads of sediment that covered the substrate on a 475 m stretch downstream of this site.

An 18 ft. (5.5m) retaining wall was built into the eroding bank in the meander. The wall is a combination of 3 sections of 6 ft. (0.9m) in width, and 24 inches (0.6m) in height. Each section of the wall was built with 4 pieces of 6 ft. lumber, of 6x6 inch in size. The 4 blocks were attached with 5 metal rebars of 7 ft. in length, bended at the 6 ft. mark. The rebars were provided and bent by Tri Province Enterprise.

Each segment of the retaining wall has three 4 ft. blocks inserted into the bank. To achieve this, 9 trenches where dug manually on the edge of the bank, then each section of walls were lowered in the water, aligned with the trenches. Once the walls were in place, the trenches were filled with layers of rocks and the same dirt that was dug out.

Once all retaining walls where installed and all trenches filled, trees were planted and straw was used to cover and retain the soil. In total, there were approximately 45 trees planted on a 50 meter segment of the site.

On both sides of the wall, deflector trees (Balsam fir), were installed along the bank using 7 ft. metal T-Bars and metallic wire. The deflectors where installed on a 30 meter stretch, mostly upstream of the wall where the erosion was most severe. The deflectors were installed according to the guidelines in the manual “Ecological Restoration of Aquatic Degraded Habitats”, prepared by the Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans, 2006.

Figures 11, 12 and 13 shows before photos and the work process of this site.

Figure 11: Before photos of Dionne Brook Restoration site, showing the eroding meander and turbidity due to sedimentation

Figure 12: From left to right; assembling the retaining wall, digging the trenches, installation of the retaining wall and filling trenches with rock and soil

Figure 13: From left to right; attaching deflector trees, view of deflectors, T-bar on riverbank to attach deflectors with Nylon rope, trees planted directly over retaining wall, straw added to cover soil, final view

3.3 Fish Ladder

The SBWA installed a 10 foot aluminum fish ladder on an older elevated culvert in the McQuade brook, a major tributary to the Shediac River. The culvert was identified as being an impediment to fish migration upstream of the bridge towards suitable spawning areas.

In 2014, the group did significant restoration work upstream of this culvert. This included beaver dam and debris removal, and tree planting on the riverbanks.

There are numerous fish ladders in New Brunswick, mostly wood and cement structures. This novel structure is the only one in the southeast region made of this heavy duty aluminum design.

Atlantic salmon and brook trout has traditionally used this stream during spring and fall migrations but the numbers of fish have certainly dropped in the last 40-50 years. Restoring healthy populations is one of the primary mandates of this watershed group.

A good point about this ladder is that it can be detached and relocated whenever the elevated culvert is scheduled for replacement. Figure 14 shows the installation process of the fish ladder.

Figure 14: From left to right: carrying the fish ladder, floating it over to the culvert, installation, group photo of staff and volunteers, view of the front, view overhead

4. Education and Public Awareness Education is an important focus for the Shediac Bay Watershed Association. The SBWA takes advantage of various opportunities to present its projects to the public. We also seek out teachers at local schools that have an interest in receiving classroom presentations and activities on various environmental topics. Our regular displays usually emphasises our dedication to water quality, salmonid populations and fish habitat enhancement by means of stream restoration.

4.1 Fish friends Program

Both classes of the third grade of the Monseigneur François Bourgeois elementary school in Shediac were recruited for the Fish Friends program.

The aquarium was set up in one of the classes in the first week of March, during the school break. The SBWA picked up brook trout eggs the following week, from the “Miramichi Salmon Conservation Center” and brought them to the school.

A small introductory presentation was made during the delivery of the eggs, and some questions were asked to the kids to assess their current knowledge of fish and determine their level of understanding.

The next presentation explained the family of the salmonids, and the various species within this family, including; brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon and the various species of Pacific salmon. This presentation also gave them an introduction to the life cycle of salmonids, which were explained using the classic diagram and videos of spawning salmon, eggs hatching, etc., procured from Arkive.com.

The third presentation delved deeper in the early life stages; the habitat requirements for Alevin such as shelter from predators, the yolk sac and the threats to their survival. The students we’re then told to look for the next stage of development before starting to feed the fish. Figure 15 shows trout in the aquarium and a classroom presentation.

The fourth presentation took a step back to look at the bigger picture of fish habitat. They were taught what constitutes a watershed (or catchment) and the differences between freshwater and saltwater sources. The habitat requirements taught the students about: physicochemical properties for water quality (dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, etc.); plankton and macroinvertebrates for food; the importance of streamside vegetation for canopy cover and erosion; substrate types and the damaging effects of sedimentation, woody debris and plants for shelter, etc.

A fifth presentation was on the great migration of the Atlantic salmon. The episode of “The Magic School bus – Goes upstream” was shown in class, and was a great overview of the obstacles and dangers in the journey to the spawning ground. The episode also did a great summary of the life cycle, as the characters of the show became salmon eggs themselves and grew through all life

17 stages. The kids were questioned verbally on what they retained, and we believe the animation gave a better understanding and helped summarize all previous presentations.

The final activity was the release of the trout during a field trip in June, before the end of the school year. Each student was given a jar with 3-4 trout to release in a small healthy stream, perfect for trout parr as it is too small for large predatory fish. The small stream is a tributary to the Scoudouc River. A total of 148 trout were released that day. . Figure 16 and 17 shows pictures of the release of the trout during the school field trip.

Once the main event was completed, SBWA staff did a quick sampling for macroinvertebrates with a kick net, to show kids what can be found under the rocky substrate. Also, freshwater mussels found on an adjacent site (Margaritifera margaritifera) were shown to the student and differences pointed out between mussels found in saltwater habitats.

The students were very excited and also sad to say goodbye to the fish they raised and came to love. Teachers were enthusiastic with the quality of the presentations and are looking forward to participating again in 2016.

Figure 15: Left photo showing trout in the aquarium, right photo showing a classroom presentation

Figure 16: Fish Friends field trip, from left to right: student releasing trout, teachers releasing trout, presentation on freshwater mussels, field trip group photo of both classes of the 3rd grade MFB, School June 2015 4.2 Other Outreach Activities

4.2.1 Newsletter Articles on this project were written in a published newsletter of the Shediac Bay Watershed Association. The newsletter is included in Annex 1.

4.2.2 Shediac Market and Community Events The association was present with a kiosk at the Shediac Market on every Sundays during the summer to talk about our projects to the public, tourists and potential partners. We talked to over 300 people during the summer. We distributed copies of our newsletter and information about our projects.

Figure 17: At the Shediac Farmer's Martket in the Park

The SBWA also had displays at other community events such as the Shediac Lobster Festival and the Bouctouche Ecofestival. These events were good opportunities to talk about fish habitat in the Shediac Bay watershed.

4.2.3 News Coverage

CBC news covered the fish ladder project on September 9th, 2015, here is a link to the video, and the segment begins at 19:10 min: http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2675166165. There is an associated article to the video coverage; it is included in Annex 2.

CBC news covered our electrofishing surveys on September 22nd, 2015, here is a link to the video, and the segment begins at 27:05 min: http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2675988118

The Shediac Market Park also created promotional videos for stallholders, and created one for the SBWA speaking of our projects. The video was over 6 minutes in length and has over 700 views. This video can be found on the SBWA Facebook Page.

4.2.4 Online Presence

Finally the SBWA shared all articles published by the CBC news, and also created photo albums of the projects on Facebook and on our website. The number of people reached for the projects in this report is over 1,820 people.

5. Conclusion

This WTF project has given the Association the opportunity to continue involving local stakeholders in restoring local rivers for salmonids.

Restoration work has been done in two areas around the watershed and new areas have been identified for the coming years. A fish migration issue has been addressed through the use of a fish ladder of an elevated culvert.

The participation of the schools in the Fish Friends program was a great success and will certainly continue.

We hope to continue the collection of information to develop a restocking plan for salmonids in the Shediac Bay Watershed, to sustain recreational fisheries and ecosystem integrity.

6. APPENDIX A - Electrofishing Survey Data Summary SBWA 2015.

Table 1 Details on catch-per-sweep and fish measurements for the site EShdB-01 in McQuade Brook, Electrofishing survey SBWA 2015

Site EShdB-01 Sweep 1 Sweep 2 Sweep 3 Species Code Total Length Total (1101 sec) (820 sec) (853 sec) BKT 160 1 1 Total 1

ATS 125 2 2 ATS 150 1 1 Total 2 1 3

BND DND 62 46 35 143 Total 62 46 35 143

CSH DND 23 14 3 40 Total 23 14 3 40

3SB DND 30 16 16 62 Total 30 16 16 62

WHS DND 1 1 Total 1 1

Table 2: Details on catch-per-sweep and fish measurements for the site EScdB-01 in the Dionne Brook, Electrofishing survey SBWA 2015

Site Dionne01 Sweep 1 Sweep 2 Sweep 3 Species Code Total Length Total (1452 sec) (1316 sec) (1080 sec) ATS 110 1 1 Total 1 1

BKT 115 1 1 Total 1 1

BND 25 1 1 BND 30 1 2 3 BND 35 1 1 BND 40 4 2 1 7 BND 45 1 3 3 7 BND 50 2 1 1 4 BND 55 1 1 2 4 BND 60 4 2 1 7 BND 65 2 1 2 5 BND 70 1 1 2 Total 18 12 11 41

3SB 20 1 1 3SB 25 1 1 3SB 30 1 1 2 3SB 35 1 2 3 3SB 40 3 5 1 9 3SB 45 2 2 3SB 50 1 1 2 3SB 55 1 1 Total 7 11 3 21

WHS 50 1 1 WHS 60 1 1 WHS 65 3 1 4 WHS 70 1 1 2 WHS 85 2 1 3 WHS 90 1 1 2

WHS 105 1 1 Total 9 4 1 14

CSH 20 1 1 CSH 25 1 1 2 CSH 30 1 1 CSH 35 2 1 3 CSH 40 1 6 2 9 CSH 45 3 1 4 CSH 50 4 3 1 8 CSH 55 1 1 2 CSH 60 1 1 CSH 65 1 1 CSH 80 1 1 CSH 85 1 1 Total 9 17 34

GSH 40 1 1 Total 1 1

9SB 50 1 1 Total 1 1

Table 3: Details on catch-per-sweep and fish measurements for the site EScdF-01, in the Scoudouc River, Electrofishing survey SBWA 2015

Site Scd F (Pellerin rd) Sweep 1 Sweep 2 Sweep 3 Species Code Total Length Total (872 sec) (840 sec) (892 sec) BKT 70 1 1 BKT 165 1 1 Total 1 1 2

BND 22 1 1 BND 24 1 1 BND 25 1 3 1 5 BND 28 1 1 1 3 BND 29 1 1 BND 30 3 2 1 6 BND 32 1 1 BND 40 1 1 BND 42 1 1 BND 50 2 1 3 BND 52 2 2 BND 53 1 1 BND 55 1 1 2 BND 58 1 1 BND 64 1 1 BND 65 1 1 Total 31

3SB 30 1 1 3SB 34 1 1 3SB 38 1 1 2 3SB 40 1 1 3SB 42 1 1 3SB 52 1 1 3SB 53 1 1 3SB 55 1 1 Total 6 1 2 9

WHS 55 1 1 WHS 64 1 1

WHS 65 1 1 WHS 70 1 1 2 WHS 75 1 1 WHS 85 1 1 Total 3 2 2 7

CSH 29 1 1 CSH 35 1 1 CSH 40 1 1 CSH 42 1 1 CSH 62 1 1 CSH 65 2 2 CSH 66 1 1 CSH 68 1 1 CSH 75 1 1 CSH 76 1 1 CSH 83 2 2 CSH 85 1 1 CSH 88 1 1 CSH 100 1 1 Total 5 7 4 16

GSH 90 1 1 Total 1 1

Table 4: Species Codes and Names

ALE Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) LKC Lake chub (Couesius plumbeus) EEL American eel (Anguilla rostrata) LKT Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) AMS American shad (Alosa sapidissima) LWF Lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) ARC Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) LLS Landlocked salmon (Salmo salar) ATS Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) LNS Longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus) AST Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus) MUM Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) ATC Atlantic tomcod (Microgadus tomcod) MUS Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) BKF Banded killifish (Fundulus diaphanus) 9SB Ninespine stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) BND Blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus) NRD Northern redbelly dace (Chrosomus eos) BNS Blacknose shiner (Notropis heterolepis) PLD Pearl dace (Semotilus margarita) BSS Blackspotted stickleback (Gasterosteus wheatlandi) PSF Pumpkinseed Sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus) BLH Blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis) RBS Rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) BKS Brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans) RBT Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) BKT Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) RSF Redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus) BBH Brown bullhead (Ictalurus nebulosus) RWF Round whitefish (Prosopium cylindraceum) BNT Brown trout (Salmo trutta) SLP Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) BUR Burbot (Lota lota) SST Shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) CHP Chain pickerel (Esox niger) SLS Slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus) CSH Common shiner (Notropis cornutus) SMB Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) CRC Creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus) SPL Splake (S. namaycush x S. fontinalis) FLF Fallfish (Semotilus corporalis) STB Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) FHM Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) 3SB Threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) FSD Finescale dace (Chrosomus neogaeus) WHP White perch (Morone americana) 4SB Fourspine stickleback (Apeltes quadracus) WHS White sucker (Catostomus commersoni) GSH Golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas) YLP Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) GLF Goldfish (Carassius auratus)

7. APPENDIX B – Map of Sites

Figure Figure

: Map

EShdB Site Electrofishing of

- 2015 SBWA 01,

Figure

19 : :

EScdB Site Electrofishing of Map

2015 SBWA Brook, Dionne the in Site Restoration and 01

Figure

20 : : EScdF Site Electrofishing of Map

- 2015 SBWA 01,

Figure

: 2015 SBWA Site, Dam Restoration Beaver of Map

8. ANNEX 1 – SBWA Newsletter Summer 2015

9. ANNEX 2 – Media Coverage

Fish ladder installed to help Atlantic salmon population A group of volunteers brought a fish ladder to culvert to help salmon get back to their home

CBC News Posted: Sep 09, 2015 6:04 PM AT Last Updated: Sep 09, 2015 6:52 PM AT

The hope is that this fish ladder will help Atlantic salmon get back to their home and increase their population. (CBC News)

A heavy duty, aluminum fish ladder was installed today in Scotch Settlement to help Atlantic salmon return to their spawning ground, with the hope fish populations will rise.

A group of volunteers, spent the morning lugging 210 kilograms of aluminum to a culvert. Fish ladders are usually made of cement or wood, but this one is made to last and help salmon return home.

Jim Weldon is the project manager with Shediac Bay Watershed Association.

"The species of fish will travel up this brook, rest in this pool then they'll use this fish ladder to access habitat further upstream," said Weldon.

"Now the main species that we're targeting are Atlantic salmon, sea trout, eels and we think gaspereaux and smelts will probably use this stream also."

Jim Weldon is the project manager with Shediac Bay Watershed Association. He helped put up the fish ladder. (CBC News)

Weldon guesses this culvert is at least 60 years old. The problem is, the gap makes it hard for fish to get back up stream.

"That ladder will fill up completely and there will be a good stream of water that they can easily swim up as oppose to trying to jump and smash their bodies against the culvert which obviously injures them and makes them weaker."

Jolyne Hebert is the group's environmental technician. She says habitat preservation is key in improving fish populations, but the work isn't easy:

"It was baby steps coming down the hill and coming down through the woods and getting it through the river and into the water," said Hebert

"Once it was in the water it was a little easier because it could float but it was very interesting and it was a good team work effort."

The group is hoping with time salmon will return in greater numbers.

Should the culvert be rebuilt sometime in the near future, the fish ladder will be taken to another area where fish are having problems going upstream.