The Margaree Salmon Association in northern Cape Breton has been utilizing electrofishing to monitor fish populations in the Margaree River for the past few years. 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 conservation co-ordinator of the association, explained that electrofishing operations take place from May to late September, with an overall two percent mortality rate among the thousands of fish handled each season. Fish safety is a top priority, and electrofishing is avoided when water temperatures are too high to prevent harm to the fish.
During electrofishing, crews carefully control the electric current to ensure the fish are only stunned for a brief period, typically causing them to roll over momentarily. Crew members wear protective gear like heavy rubber gloves and chest waders to minimize any risks associated with working with electricity in water. Fortunately, there have been no serious incidents involving electric shocks among crew members during Fabiano’s tenure.
The crews conduct surveys along the 120-kilometre river to identify the most productive streams and assess the overall health of the fish population. The catch primarily consists of trout and Atlantic salmon, with occasional sightings of eels and lampreys. This season, the association has caught and released approximately 1,800 fish across nine streams, a decrease from the previous year.
Paul MacNeil, the association’s president, highlighted that they have intensified their 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 changes in river health amid shifting climate conditions.
To address the data gap, the association collaborated with the Chéticamp River Salmon Association to acquire electrofishing equipment. While traditional fish counting methods involve swimming the river, MacNeil emphasized that electrofishing offers a more accurate assessment of juvenile fish populations.
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