In recent years, the Margaree Salmon Association in northern Cape Breton has been utilizing electrofishing as a method to monitor fish populations in the Margaree River. This technique 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, mentioned that electrofishing operations take place from May to late September and have resulted in a mortality rate of around two percent among the thousands of fish processed each season.
Ensuring fish safety is the top priority for the association, with precautions taken not to electrofish when water temperatures are too high. Crews carefully regulate the electric current to cause fish to momentarily roll over, limiting the exposure to seconds. To prevent any risks associated with working with electricity in water, team members wear protective heavy rubber gloves and chest waders. Fortunately, no serious incidents have occurred during Fabiano’s 18-month tenure with the group.
Throughout the 120-kilometre river, crews conduct surveys to pinpoint the most productive streams and evaluate the overall well-being 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 captured and released approximately 1,800 fish across nine streams, showing a decrease compared to the previous year.
Paul MacNeil, the association president, emphasized the increased focus on scientific research due to reduced data collection efforts by Fisheries and Oceans Canada over the past five years. Formed in 1982, the association aimed to gather reliable data to monitor river health amid changing climate conditions. To address the data gap, they collaborated with the Chéticamp River Salmon Association to acquire electrofishing equipment. Although members also conduct fish counts by swimming in the river, MacNeil highlighted that electrofishing provides more precise data on juvenile fish populations within specific territories.
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