Wild Atlantic Salmon Population Recovery and Conservation

Description: The purpose of this project is to perform Atlantic Salmon population restoration within the watersheds (Kouchibouguacis and Kouchibouguac). The goal is to increase the adult spawning population to a level that would support the return of a recreational fishery on both rivers. Specific sub-projects include:

A) Long-term and continuous monitoring of the salmon population by age-class.

B) Enhancing salmon population via in-stream incubation intended to boost hatch rates while maintaining wild characteristics of fish.

C) Increasing the in-stream incubation program broodstock supply of females and males gradually in a slow and controlled manner to avoid upsetting balance and maintain genetic diversity of watersheds.

D) DNA analysis to determine ratio of returning adults from incubated versus natural spawning.

E) DNA analysis to determine survivability statistics of incubated offspring at various age classes.