The Margaree Salmon Association in northern Cape Breton has been utilizing electrofishing to monitor fish populations in the Margaree River over the past few years. This method involves using an electric current to temporarily stun fish so that crews can safely capture, measure, and identify them before returning them to the water.

According to Michael Fabiano, the association’s conservation co-ordinator, electrofishing operations occur from May to late September with a mortality rate of two percent among the thousands of fish processed each season. Fish safety is a top priority, and electrofishing is avoided when water temperatures are too high.

Crews carefully adjust current levels to ensure fish are stunned for only a brief period, allowing them to roll over momentarily. To protect against electrical hazards in water, crew members wear thick rubber gloves and chest waders, minimizing the risk of serious shocks. The survey covers various locations along the 120-kilometre river to identify the most productive streams and assess the overall health of the fish population, which primarily consists of trout and Atlantic salmon, with occasional eels and lampreys.

This season, the association has captured and released approximately 1,800 fish across nine streams, a decrease from the previous year. Fabiano attributes this decline partly to the challenging conditions experienced last year, including low water levels and high temperatures due to a severe drought affecting the Margaree River.

Paul MacNeil, the association’s president, noted that they intensified their scientific research efforts as Fisheries and Oceans Canada reduced data collection on the river in recent years. Collaborating with the Chéticamp River Salmon Association, they acquired electrofishing equipment to bridge the data gap. While manual fish counting in the river is also conducted, MacNeil emphasized that electrofishing provides more accurate data on juvenile fish populations.

In response to changing climate conditions, the association aims to maintain reliable data for monitoring river health and ecological shifts. The use of electrofishing has enhanced their ability to study and protect the river’s fish populations effectively.