In recent years, the Margaree Salmon Association in northern Cape Breton has been employing electrofishing to monitor fish populations in the Margaree River. This method involves using an electric current to temporarily stun fish, allowing crews to safely catch, measure, and identify them before releasing them back into the river. Michael Fabiano, the association’s conservation coordinator, mentions that electrofishing operations typically run from May to late September and have a minimal two percent mortality rate among the thousands of fish handled each season.
Safety of the fish is a top priority for the crews, with precautions taken not to electrofish in excessively warm water temperatures. The process involves setting electric current levels to only momentarily disorient the fish, ensuring their well-being. Crew members wear protective gear such as heavy rubber gloves and chest waders to prevent any injuries from electric shocks. During Fabiano’s tenure of 18 months with the group, no serious incidents involving electrical shocks have been reported.
The crews conduct surveys along the 120-kilometer river to determine the most productive streams and assess the overall health of the fish population. Trout and Atlantic salmon make up about 95 percent of the catch, with occasional findings of eels and lampreys. This season, the association has already caught and released around 1,800 fish across nine streams, a slight decrease from the previous year.
According to Paul MacNeil, the association’s president, the increased focus on scientific research was prompted by reduced data collection efforts by Fisheries and Oceans Canada over the past five years. Established in 1982, the group sought reliable data to monitor river health amidst changing 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 in the river, MacNeil highlights that electrofishing provides a more accurate assessment of juvenile fish populations within specific territories.
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