Community engagement for aquatic conservation project

Description: Corduroy Brook Enhancement Association Inc. (CBEA) has a fishway that was established in collaboration with Ducks Unlimited. However, although it is prohibited, they have noticed individuals fishing in this area and pollution has been finding its way into the water body that flows through the fishway. The fishway is located on Corduroy Brook, which flows into the Exploits River. The Exploits River is a scheduled salmon river and a vital habitat for salmon and other aquatic species. To address these issues, CBEA will design and install signage that informs the public about the reasons behind the fishing prohibition and emphasizes the importance of maintaining these water bodies, the organisms within them and aquatic habitats as a whole. Additionally, they also intend to install a bench at the fishway to encourage visitors to sit down, read the signage, and contemplate the significance of their actions. The scope of work for this project will involve researching aquatic ecosystems, designing interpretive signage that presents the information in an accessible manner, installing the signage, and providing seating with the installation of a bench. CBEA may also install some signage inside their interpretation centre or design a slide show to put on display in the centre, to further inform the public about the importance of aquatic ecosystems. By mitigating pollution and preventing illegal fishing at the fishway in Corduroy Brook, they will be benefiting the Exploits River by reducing pollution and protecting food sources of Atlantic salmon from illegal fishing.