The Margaree Salmon Association in northern Cape Breton has been utilizing electrofishing as a method to monitor fish populations in the Margaree River for the past several years. This process involves using an electric current to momentarily stun fish, allowing crews to safely capture, measure, and identify them before releasing them back into the river. Michael Fabiano, the conservation co-ordinator of the association, mentioned that they conduct electrofishing operations from May to late September, with a minimal mortality rate of two percent for the thousands of fish handled each season.
Safety of the fish is a top priority for the association, with precautions taken to avoid shocking fish in high water temperatures. Crews carefully regulate the electric current to ensure the fish only roll over for a brief period. Protective gear such as heavy rubber gloves and chest waders are worn by crew members to prevent any injuries from working with electricity in water. No serious incidents involving electric shocks have occurred among crew members during Fabiano’s tenure of 18 months with the organization.
Covering various locations along the 120-kilometre river, the crews aim to identify the most productive streams and evaluate the overall health of the fish population. The catch primarily consists of trout and Atlantic salmon, with occasional sightings of eels and lampreys. In the current season, the association has captured and released approximately 1,800 fish across nine streams, a decrease from the previous year, which could be attributed to adverse conditions experienced last year, including low water levels and high temperatures due to a severe drought.
Paul MacNeil, the association’s president, highlighted the increased focus on scientific research due to reduced data collection efforts by Fisheries and Oceans Canada over the past five years. Established in 1982, the association aimed to gather reliable data to monitor river health amidst shifting climate patterns. To bridge the data gap, the association collaborated with the Chéticamp River Salmon Association to procure electrofishing equipment. While traditional fish counting methods involve swimming the river, MacNeil emphasized that electrofishing provides more accurate data on juvenile fish populations within specific territories.
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