Mapping Atlantic Salmon Populations

Description: The Atlantic salmon in the Oromocto River (Welamukotuk) are listed as endangered by COSEWIC and we have a duty to protect them while educating others of their continued presence. Using closed site electrofishing we will focus on ascertaining population densities of Atlantic salmon in sites that have historically healthy populations, good water quality, and adequate water temperatures. This allows focusing of future resources to those areas which require additional work such as culvert remediation or removal, additional buffer zones, and public education. We continue to advocate for salmon and meet with DFO to create a solution for these shared ecosystem problems. We currently have a proposal which will decommission a culvert in an important Atlantic salmon tributary of the South Oromocto River. Collecting data from this tributary along with other local nursery and thermal refugia will enable proper monitoring of this project in 2024, along with maintaining our population density surveys in these areas. We continue to deliver presentations and educate our members, governments, and the public about the continued persistence of salmon in this area. For 2024 we will focus on ten sites, replenish temperature loggers, and disseminate data through various public forums, meetings, and social media.