2017 Annual Report

Miramichi Salmon Association 485 Route 420 South Esk, NB | E1V 4L9

EDITORIAL - As we begin to undertake a new 2018 season, it is important to look back at the programs and HISTORY happenings of 2017 – to review and report on their objectives and results in an effort to ensure ourselves, and our generous supporters, that the conservation actions being undertaken by the MSA are meaningful, science-based and Since 1953, the MSA has watched over the effectively helping to protect and conserve our treasured Miramichi Salmon. The MSA hopes this newly formatted Miramichi as a champion of conservation on 2017 Annual Report accomplishes that goal. behalf of anglers, outfitters, guides and all others with economic, environmental and recreational 2017 Overview - Generally, 2017 was a tough year for both fish and anglers alike. Long periods of hot dry weather attributed to long bouts of low warm water, getting so bad at one point that DFO closed 26 cold-water refuge pools for interests in the river. a full 7 days during mid-July. It was also a tough year for salmon conservation as well. While there were some good Managed by volunteers, as Officers and Directors, reasons to remain encouraged, such as advances in government supported salmon research and consulting on the MSA remains cooperative with, but independent of, developing a river by river harvest plan based on abundance, we were especially disappointed with the additional government or special interests influence. It conservations measures put into place in 2017 to protect an already excessive population of Striped bass that we responds in the end only to its growing conservation believe is impacting our salmon smolts. Additionally, another year has gone by and still no decision (or actions taken!) membership. The net result is a well-managed on fully eradicating Smallmouth bass from Miramichi Lake. And finally, delays continued in the issuing of permits for river system that today, thanks in part to the the ‘Smolt to Adult Salmon’ (SAS) research project of CAST; regrettable action that seriously threatens to derail this new MSA’s championing of its cause, has more miles and exciting scientific research project aimed at helping our wild Atlantic salmon… before it’s too late! of salmon angling water and traditionally holds But while 2017 may have been somewhat of a difficult year, we must remain optimistic and true to our cause… and larger and healthier populations of Atlantic salmon always remember; “Good things come to those who believe, better things come to those who wait, and the best things than most salmon rivers in North America. come to those who don’t give up!” Thanks to the hard work and generosity of its members, donors and supporters, the MSA will never give up on its mission to help protect and conserve our famed Miramichi Salmon. MISSION STATEMENT Global-class leadership, stewardship, and Meet Kelsey McGee - Field Biologist conservation practices for the Miramichi Watershed to continuously preserve and advance Kelsey is a true Miramichier – born and raised on the river! She is a its environmental integrity for the benefit of all graduate of the Maritime College of Forest Technology and has a Bachelor of Wildlife Conservation Degree from UPEI. species, in particular the Atlantic salmon. Kelsey began working for the MSA on a full time basis in 2015, first as the MSA’s hatchery aquaculture technician then moving over into the MSA’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada Field Biologist position in August 2017. Kelsey comes with plenty of field

experience, including seasonal work with the Department of Fisheries and Salmon Returns to the Miramichi River System Oceans as well as being a fishing guide at the Upper Oxbow Outdoor Small Salmon Large Total Adventures. In her role as MSA Field Biologist, Kelsey will be directing all of (Grilse) Salmon Fish our field programs including smolt tracking, striped bass diet study, juvenile stocking, electrofishing, cold-water pool restoration and beaver dam Year Return Return Return management. **1992 152,600 37,000 189,600 1993 95,000 35,000 130,000 1994 43,571 20,946 64,517 Meet Holly Labadie - Assistant Hatchery Manager 1995 46,458 32,015 78,473 Born in Toronto, but grew up on the east coast from a young age, 1996 33,610 18,433 52,043 Holly received both her Undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Science at the University of New Brunswick (UNB). Holly has always enjoyed the 1997 16,139 16,399 32,538 outdoors and working in aquatic environments, especially with fish. 1998 23,170 16,870 40,040 Holly has been with the Miramichi Salmon Association for the past 3 years, 1999 21,940 16,190 38,130 first as the MSA’s field biologist, switching focus in 2017 by way of moving 2000 32,050 17,600 49,650 over to assist in the day-to-day management of the hatchery facility at the 2001 27,210 22,630 49,840 Miramichi Salmon Conservation Centre (MSSC) in South Esk. She is heavily 2002 41,260 12,240 53,500 involved in the CAST project, specifically the Smolt-to-Adult Supplementa- tion (SAS) program at the hatchery, and in helping the many visiting UNB 2003 28,390 20,260 48,650 Ph.D. and Masters students with their own CAST projects and field 2004 45,460 20,300 65,760 activities. 2005 31,700 18,870 50,570 2006 34,640 20,790 55,430 2007 26,940 17,790 44,730 Meet Grant Hendry - Membership Services 2008 29,180 13,490 42,670 Originally from Newcastle, Ontario, Grant graduated from UNB with a 2009 13,040 18,630 31,670 degree in (Environmental) Education. After 35 years of teaching high school 2010 50,110 16,100 66,210 science and math, Grant retired in 2014 from North & South Esk Regional 2011 43,880 31,060 74,940 High School. He and his wife Annette reside on the NW Miramichi, just a short ways down river from Sunny Corner. Grant started fishing late in life, 2012 8,322 13,550 21,872 but enjoys any chance to get outdoors. Grant is a Director on the NBTA 2013 11,750 13,260 25,010 Credit Union Board and currently holds the position of Vice-President of the 2014 7,474 10,270 17,744 Miramichi Area Retired Teacher’s Association. He also volunteers for the Fish 2015 26,120 15,870 41,990 Friends Program, serving as program coordinator for many of the schools in 2016 15,200 18,200 33,400 the Miramichi area. In 2017, Grant began working part-time for the MSA, helping maintain our membership records and donor fulfillment programs. 2017 13,300 14,600 27,900 **Commercial net fishing stopped in Newfoundland Miramichi Salmon Association Miramichi Salmon Association 2017 Field Program Activities 2017 Research Program Activities

STOCK SUPPLEMENTATION 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 ACOUSTIC TRACKING - KELTS

Stocking Atlantic salmon first-feeding fry can improve the juvenile production capacity of the Miramichi River by Kelts Tagged (#) 50 50 50 50 35 16 21 24 26 8 2017 represented the 10th year that acoustic tags were used to track the targeting areas that are under-seeded or not accessible to wild spawning adults. An electrofishing survey is carried out Head of Tide (%) 100 100 100 100 100 100 95 100 96 100 movements of NW Miramichi kelts (adult salmon that over wintered in each year by the Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA) to assess areas of the river that are lacking adequate numbers of the river) as they migrate downstream to feed and recondition in the River Mouth (%) 96 92 90 94 94 75 85 100 96 88 fry or parr. Low fry or parr numbers could be the result of multiple factors, including: poor adult returns, barriers to Miramichi Estuary and Bay before moving into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. adult movement into upper stream reaches (e.g. beaver dams), environmental events such as ice scouring that could Miramichi Bay (%) 94 92 90 94 94 69 85 100 96 88 Studies of repeat spawner egg deposition have estimated that these fish destroy a redd, or less than optimal water conditions. Areas with zero/minimal fry present are targeted for stocking, and Strait of Belle Isle (%) 44 18 14 30 30 38 33 38 37 38 account for 25-40% of the total eggs deposited annually in the Miramichi efforts are also made to identify and remove any impediments to natural spawning. The majority of these areas are River, so understanding their migration patterns, at-sea foraging behaviour located in small tributaries and the headwaters of the Miramichi River which traditionally have better quality habitat Consecutive returns (%) 6 8 18 10 10 0 10 31 4 0 and overall survival is critical to understanding the threats and conservation and lower numbers of predators than larger downstream locations. Alternate returns (%) 8 0 10 4 0 6 0 0 0 * actions required to help sustain this great natural resource. As shown in the Juvenile abundance electrofishing surveys and smolt estimates are used to aid in determining specific tributaries that * indicates this information is not available until next year chart (left), 10-year data clearly suggests the largest loss of adult salmon may need additional stocking. Since it is impossible to stock every small stream in the Miramichi with a limited number and only applies to kelts which received long term acoustic transmitters. occurs at sea. Note – poor fishing conditions during Spring 2017 resulted in of fish, it is important to place hatchery grown wild salmon fry into streams that will benefit most from their only 8 kelt being caught for tagging purposes. For more introduction. Stocking salmon fry into a tributary with high salmon fry abundance could negatively impact those fish by detailed information concerning MSA’s 2017 kelt tracking programs, see MSA’s 2017 Conservation Field Program Report at www.miramichisalmon.ca increasing the level of competition for food resources. To avoid this, any site containing more than 100 fry/100m2 is not considered for stocking as it appears to reflect a healthy natural population. Sites with less than 50 fry/100m2 are considered candidates for further stocking. The absence of fry at an already stocked site may indicate that the site does not contain the appropriate habitat or it may have too many predators. Prior to 2010, fall fingerlings were stocked and identified by an adipose clip (removal of the adipose fin). In 2010 the MSA shifted the focus from Atlantic salmon fall fingerlings ACOUSTIC TRACKING - SMOLTS to stocking first-feeding salmon fry in the early summer. These fry are incubated as eggs on unheated brook water to ensure that the rate of egg development is similar in timing to that of wild eggs. The stocking of fry over fingerlings has several benefits, including the reduced risk of fish contracting a pathogen while in artificially high densities at In 2013, the MSA initiated a 5-year acoustic tracking study, made possible by a very the hatchery, and the improved capacity to develop “wild” behaviour tendencies at a younger age. First-feeding fry are stocked out in June/July at an average size of 0.5g generous funding grant from the International Paper Foundation, to determine the which makes fin clipping impossible. migration patterns and survival rates of smolts leaving the NW Miramichi River. This research study was initiated to try and determine if the multi-year average for the From September to mid-October 2016, adult salmon were collected for broodstock from six tributaries on the Miramichi River – Northwest River, Sevogle River, Little number of smolts successfully reaching the ocean is sufficient enough to sustain the Southwest River (LSW), Clearwater Brook, the Main Southwest River in Juniper, and the Cains River. These fish were held at the MSCC and kept separated based on their river population. This NW Miramichi Study has been carried out in concert with a similar smolt of origin. Once ripe, female salmon were stripped of their eggs, which were then fertilized by a male salmon from the same river. Immediately following spawning, the adults tracking study being conducted on the SW Miramichi (by the Atlantic Salmon Federation), were released back into the wild via Stewart Brook, which runs beside the MSCC. During Winter 2016-2017, eggs were incubated on brook water in trays until the eyed stage, with dead eggs removed daily. In early 2017, eyed eggs were transferred to upwelling incubation boxes in preparation for hatching. After hatching, fry were fed a formulated thus giving fisheries managers an overall perspective for the full watershed. salmonid diet for approximately 3-4 weeks until stocking. All salmon fry were stocked in their river of origin (“river specific stocking”). In 2017, a total of 80 smolts were captured and implanted with a Vemco V8 In June & July 2017, a total of 93,431 and 84,113 first feeding Atlantic salmon fry were released in the Northwest and Southwest systems respectfully. An additional 57,487 acoustic tag. These fish were caught and released in the Miner Bridge area. As seen in the fry were taken to satellite holding tanks for future release by other local conservation groups. For more detailed information on the MSA’s stock supplementation program, chart (below), the percentage of NW smolts surviving, particularly during their migration see MSA’s 2017 Conservation Field Program Report at www.miramichisalmon.ca from head of tide out through the main channel of the river was particular low in 2017. Additional information from this study also shows that predation by the growing Striped bass population may account for as much as an 18% loss in smolts. REMOVING SPAWNING OBSTRUCTIONS Beaver dams are known barriers to adult Atlantic salmon migrating upstream to spawn, blocking access to YEAR and Locations HOT - Cassilis Loggieville Outer Bay SOBI habitat in the upper reaches of brooks and streams. Female salmon have been observed below beaver dams 2013 86% 13% 10% 2.5% in large numbers and are forced to build multiple redds in confined areas of the stream, often with habitat of lower quality than would otherwise be available. The survival of eggs in these crowded, overlapping redds is 2014 80% 48% 14% 10% severely reduced and can negatively impact juvenile salmon production within the stream. Upstream areas of 2015 71% 39% 36% 21%* brooks and streams are often excellent spawning and juvenile habitat with a high percentage of gravel and 2016 79% 53% 28% 13% cobble substrates, cold ground fed water, and low numbers of predators. After several years of blocked access, these upstream reaches run the risk of becoming devoid of salmon fry and parr which can potentially 2017 66% 13% 8% 5% lower the number of stream imprinted adult salmon returning to these areas. Improving access to upstream habitat on individual streams could be beneficial to egg survival and juvenile production. If upstream habitat *a 2nd receiver line was added at the Strait of Belle Isle (SOBI) to improve detection. on multiple streams within a watershed is improved, the total number of returning adult salmon in the following years could be increased. Porter Brook, SW Miramichi Downloading Acoustic Tracking Data In 2017, MSA field crews breached a total of 43 dams throughout the Miramichi River watershed. For more detailed information on the MSA’s 2017 beaver dam management program, see MSA’s 2017 Conservation Field Program Report at www.miramichisalmon.ca

CAST - COLLABORATION FOR ATLANTIC SALMON TOMORROW COLD WATER REFUGE CAST, the unprecedented collaboration of two levels of government, private industry, academia and special interest conservation Pools that are located directly downstream of cold water brooks can be critically important groups, continued to gain positive support and momentum in 2017. Of particular mention were the ongoing upgrades and expansion habitat to adult and juvenile salmon during warm water events in the main stem of a river. that CAST has funded at the Miramichi Salmon Conservation Center’s hatchery facilities. These improvements are being made to The presence of these pools creates areas of thermal refugia during times of high water support CAST’s ‘Smolt to Adult Salmon’ (SAS) release project, with the MSA and Canadian River Institute/UNB playing leadership roles temperatures, where large numbers of salmon and trout, of various life stages, can hold in the project’s role-out and long-term monitoring and evaluation. position until surrounding water temperatures decrease. Without isolated pockets of cold water, these fish would be forced to remain exposed to warm water conditions that lead to Other projects being undertaken as part of this new $6.7 million salmon research and population enhancement program include; using sonar technology (ARIS cameras) to physiological stress and potential mortality. With the current understanding of climate change increase the accuracy in determining the number of returning salmon each year; using remote sensing technology (LiDAR Thermal Imaging) to identify critical cold-water science, the Miramichi watershed is likely to see an increase in the frequency, intensity, and salmon habitat throughout the river system; and population modelling and a common home for all salmon data. duration of warm water events during the summer, particularly in the lower reaches of the river which are less influenced by colder groundwater sources. The Miramichi Salmon For more detailed information on CAST, please visit www.castforsalmon.com Association has identified these cold water pools as habitat of significant value in protecting adult and juvenile salmon. Over the course of the last 4 years, the MSA has completed 8 cold water habitat refuge projects, completing 2 new projects in 2017; Salmon Brook on the Cains and Hudson Brook on the SW Miramichi. For more detailed information on the MSA’s cold water program, see MSA’s 2017 Conservation Field Program Report at www.miramichisalmon.ca Miramichi Salmon Association Miramichi Salmon Association 2017 Field Program Activities 2017 Research Program Activities

STOCK SUPPLEMENTATION 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 ACOUSTIC TRACKING - KELTS

Miramichi Salmon Association Miramichi Salmon Association 2017 Annual Report 2017 Members and Donors

COMMUNICATIONS LAND USE Membership in the MSA is the perfect way to express your passion and support for the wild Atlantic salmon, for the Miramichi River that is their home, and for the vital work being done by the MSA to conserve and sustain both. 2017 was a very busy year for Communica- During 2017, the MSA’s Land Use Committee tions. The MSA’s E-newsletter, ‘The Leaper’ continued its active role in monitoring, reviewing The MSA is fortunate to receive support from individuals and business throughout Canada, the United States and abroad. In additional to annual memberships, hundreds of conservation-minded individuals and companies also support the MSA through attendance and merchandise donations to one or more of the MSA’s annual fundraising continued as the MSA’s flagship communica- and providing advice on a number of significant events. The MSA regrets not being able to formally recognize all those donors in this annual report. tion tool, now reaching over 1,100 salmon public and/or private resource issues and projects that could possibly impact and/or affect the conservationists. In addition, visits to the MSA 2017 Members and Financial Donors - The MSA respectfully acknowledges and greatly appreciates the 2017 financial support it received from the Miramichi River Watershed. Of particular concern following members and donors, which was crucial to the MSA being able to carry on and deliver its annual salmon conservation programs and activities. website and Facebook Page grow by double is the looming spread of the Spruce budworm digits. The 2017 MSA Photo Contest was also (from Quebec) and the need for control through the aerial spraying of a LIFE MEMBERS Joe Blaze Elaine Colter Sandy Dunnett Brian Green Elmo J. Hurst* A. T. Lyman, Jr.* another great success, with Iris Cieko’s best Alex Bobak George Colter Neil DuPlessis Jordan Green Christopher Hutchins* Timothy Lyons biological insecticide. Concern of course is whether this chemical Italo & Unalane Bruno Bobak* William Comeau Serge Dupuis Mervin Green David Ingersoll Anne MacBeath overall winning photo being chosen for the compound will have any possible short and/or long-term impact on the Ablondi* Scott Boley Michael Connors Carleton Ealy Myrna Green David Innes G. Ian MacBeath* cover of the MSA’s 2018 calendar. And always health of the river and more specifically, on juvenile fish development and George Abodeely, Jr. * Adrian F. Bom* George Conyngham* Roger Earle Charles Grine Arthur Irving Bruce MacDonald popular, the MSA’s River Cam continued to Robert Albee III MacMillan Boyd* John Conyngham R. Bruce Eddy Harry Groome III Elizabeth Irving Cameron MacDonald survival. The Land Use Committee also continues to monitor discussions Thomas Allen William Boyd* Janice Cormier Jon Eggleston Nicholas Guitard James D. Irving Douglas MacDonald give viewers real time video images of the pertaining to the development of the Sisson Mine project and the potential Arnold Alward Markley Boyer Byron Coughlan Katherine Ellard George R. Hagar* John E. Irving* Kevin MacDonald Miramichi River in front of Bullock's Lodge in impact it could have on the neighbouring Nashwaak and St. John River David Alward Anthony Boynton Tyler Coughlan Bruce Elliot Robert Haines John K. Irving R. Glen MacDonald Errol Amos George Brabant* Kathleen Coull John Elmo Lisa