Atlantic salmon population baseline watershed survey in Hay River, phase 3

SAB will for a third year, in 2021, be again doing detailed and designed monitoring in Hay River to compile Atlantic salmon data in a reference watershed to validate and challenge previous assumptions of populations numbers based on established formulas and data.  Correlation between sex ratio of total returning adult salmon in comparison to redd numbers will be determined.  This will lead to a better understanding of overall watershed health and what effects it has on salmon production and survival.  Analyzing this monitoring data will help to determine parallels between environmental conditions and limiting factors, which will aid in preserving and advancing salmon stocks in Prince Edward Island through future restoration and monitoring initiatives.

Data collections over the last two years have been remarkable indicators of how many salmon are in Hay River and how much habitat they use throughout the entire system.  The collection and analysis of data will continue for the next two years.   The overall objective is to develop a habitat restoration management plan that can be used as a reference document for all rivers, small or larger, on PEI.Data.

Contact:  Keila Miller, sourisareawildlife@gmail.com