For several years now, the Margaree Salmon Association in northern Cape Breton has been utilizing electrofishing as a method to survey fish populations in the Margaree River. This technique involves using an electric current to temporarily stun fish, enabling crews to safely capture, measure, and identify them before releasing them back into the river.
Michael Fabiano, the conservation co-ordinator at the association, mentioned that electrofishing operations typically run from May to late September each year. Despite processing thousands of fish during the season, the mortality rate remains at two percent. Fish safety is paramount, with crew members avoiding electrofishing when water temperatures are too high.
To minimize any risks associated with working with electricity in water, crew members wear heavy rubber gloves and chest waders. The electric current levels are carefully set to ensure that fish are only momentarily affected, causing them to roll over for a few seconds. In the 18 months that Fabiano has been with the group, no crew member has experienced a serious shock.
The crews conduct surveys along the 120-kilometre river to pinpoint the most productive streams and evaluate the overall health of the fish population. The majority of the catch 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 from nine different streams, a decrease from the previous year.
Paul MacNeil, the association’s president, noted that the group has 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 amidst changing climate conditions. To bridge the data gap, the association collaborated with the Chéticamp River Salmon Association to acquire electrofishing equipment.
While members also conduct fish counts by swimming in the river, MacNeil emphasized that electrofishing provides more precise data on juvenile fish populations. According to MacNeil, electrofishing offers a comprehensive view of the juvenile fish in a specific region during the surveys.
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