Thermal refuges and citizen science

Description: With climate change, heat waves and low water episodes are observed more and more frequently. During heat waves, salmon is thermally stressed and needs areas where the river is colder, and this is why it is important to know the location of the sites of thermal refuges. From a wildlife point of view, more knowledge of those sites will allow us to be proactive in managing fishing activities during critical thermal periods for salmon. To ensure spatial and temporal cover across the territory (approximately 90km), during the season, we will collect data on the temperatures of fish pools by foot in cooperation with fishers/guides. In a normal day, and depending on the area, a fisher can visit from 2 to 6 pools in total, that is 1-3 in the morning and 1-3 in the afternoon (rotation). To collect data, the fisher will wear a thermograph on their anklee (ex. HOBO Pendant MX-2201) when he will scan the pool from upriver to downriver. The guide accompanying him will take collect relevant data, for example, location, captures, etc.