In recent years, the Margaree Salmon Association located in northern Cape Breton has been utilizing electrofishing as a method to monitor fish populations within the Margaree River.
Electrofishing involves the use of 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 activities occur from May to late September, with a mortality rate of two percent observed across the thousands of fish processed each season.
“Ensuring the safety of the fish is our top priority,” Fabiano emphasized. “We avoid electrofishing when water temperatures are too high.”
During electrofishing operations, crew members regulate the current levels to cause fish to momentarily roll over without harm. To minimize the risk of electric shock while working in water, crew members wear durable rubber gloves and chest waders. Fabiano noted that no crew members have experienced a serious shock during his 18 months with the organization.
Crews conduct surveys at various locations along the 120-kilometre river to determine the most productive streams and evaluate the overall health of the fish population. The catch primarily comprises trout and Atlantic salmon, with occasional occurrences of eels and lampreys.
Thus far this season, the association has captured and released approximately 1,800 fish from nine streams, showing a decrease compared to the previous year.
“The decline could be attributed largely to the challenging conditions we faced last year,” Fabiano explained. “Low water levels and high temperatures for much of the summer resulted from a severe drought that significantly impacted the Margaree River.”
Paul MacNeil, the association’s president, highlighted that the organization 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 aimed to gather reliable data to monitor river health amid changing climate conditions.
To address the data gap, the association collaborated with the Chéticamp River Salmon Association to invest in 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.
“When we engage in electrofishing, we have a higher chance of capturing all juvenile fish within a specific area,” MacNeil stated.
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