In recent years, the Margaree Salmon Association in northern Cape Breton has utilized electrofishing to monitor fish populations in the Margaree River. 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.
Michael Fabiano, the association’s conservation co-ordinator, mentioned that electrofishing operations occur from May to late September with a low two percent mortality rate among the thousands of fish processed each season. Safety is paramount, with crews avoiding electrofishing in high water temperatures to protect the fish.
To ensure the fish’s well-being, crews carefully regulate the electric current levels to briefly incapacitate the fish for a few seconds. Crew members wear protective gear like heavy rubber gloves and chest waders to prevent any injuries from working with electricity in water. No serious shocks have been reported among crew members during Fabiano’s tenure.
The crews conduct surveys along the 120-kilometre river to pinpoint the most productive streams and evaluate the overall fish population’s health. The catch primarily comprises trout and Atlantic salmon, with occasional sightings of eels and lampreys. This season, approximately 1,800 fish have been caught and released across nine streams, a decrease from the previous year.
Paul MacNeil, the association’s president, highlighted the group’s increased focus on scientific research due to reduced data collection by Fisheries and Oceans Canada over the past five years. Formed in 1982, the association sought reliable data to monitor river health amidst changing climate patterns.
To address the data gap, the association collaborated with the Chéticamp River Salmon Association to procure electrofishing equipment. While members also visually inspect the river to count fish, electrofishing provides more precise data on juvenile fish populations.
“When we conduct electrofishing, we have a better chance of capturing all juvenile fish in a specific area,” MacNeil explained.
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