Wild Atlantic slmon: Population recovery, monitoring and stewardship – Kouchibouguac and Kouchibouguacis Watersheds

The Friends of Kouchibouguacis (TFK) have been performing various wild Atlantic salmon restoration initiatives since the year 2000. This project contains numerous components that will greatly benefit the wild Atlantic salmon populations within the Kouchibouguac and Kouchibouguacis watersheds. Different sampling and monitoring initiatives will be utilized to collect information on the Atlantic salmon populations, including: habitat availability/quality; migration; genotyping; age; and monitoring/data collection of various environmental parameters. Our in-stream incubation program improves salmonid hatch rates; while also allowing for full life-cycle development in their natural habitat to occur and eliminating captivity requirements. Restoration work will improve habitat quality and fish passage, including a stream restoration initiative consisting of two culvert replacement and the removal of numerous obstructions (e.g. inactive beaver dams, debris jams, etc.) on ruisseau a baptiste within the Kouchibouguacis watershed to provide critical spawning grounds and habitat for Atlantic salmon among other species (stream restoration plan included with submission separately for reference). Different means will be applied towards educational and outreach efforts.

Contact:

Mike Rushton

kouchibouguacis@gmail.com

506 876 3474