ASF Rivernotes – May 1, 2020

“Please go outside,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, British Columbia’s provincial health officer, earlier this week, noting a study of 318 clusters of the novel coronavirus where only one spread amongst people outdoors.

“As an avid angler, I know there’s nothing better for the heart and soul than a little fishing,” said Maine Governor Janet Mills in March after the state opened the recreational fishing season early and waived the need for licenses.

“In a nutshell, it’s starting to take advantage of what we love here in New Brunswick about our wide open spaces,” said New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs last week, announcing a gradual easing of COVID-19 related restrictions, including opening up provincial waterways to recreational angling.

As people clamour for normalcy after a month and a half of social distancing, leaders across North America are recognizing the importance, and low public health risk of recreational angling. But being outdoors doesn’t mean we can let up on the practices that have saved us from the worst of the pandemic, and crossing borders is still not permitted. Let’s remember that recreational angling is a privilege, not a right, and with privilege comes responsibility.

On Tuesday, April 28th, ASF hosted a webinar on smallmouth bass eradication on the Miramichi. You can view the webinar and download the presentations here

David LeBlanc of the Restigouche River Watershed Management Committee gives an update on conditions:

“The Restigouche and Matapedia are running very clear for this time of year. There is still a lot of snow melt yet. There are some salmon around, but nobody is fishing.

“Covid-19 has affected the government activity. For example, as of Wednesday, our regular contracts with New Brunswick are still not signed. We are still planning to undertake much of our habitat restoration and fish passage work, which doesn’t start until summer.

“But all smoltwheel collections of data are cancelled for the year. And for fishing camps, it is still not clear who is going to operate this year, and who will not.

“One difficult situation is that the bridges are blocked off, affecting our access to both sides of the Restigouche at this time. Just one more result of closing the border between New Brunswick and Quebec. It makes things much more difficult for camp managers and their staff as well.”

Nathan Wilbur, ASF’s Director of New Brunswick programs writes:

“New Brunswick’s fishing season was initially delayed from April 15 to at least May 1. However, with the improving conditions in New Brunswick, the Premier pleasantly surprised anglers last Friday with an announcement that the season would open immediately. DFO issued the variation order and the season officially kicked off on Saturday morning at 6 am, April 25. There were a lot of happy people on the water over the weekend.

“We are hearing generally good reports from the Miramichi with some anglers hooking in the double digits over the course of a few hours fishing on the weekend. The water is clear, high, and cold and in good shape for spring fishing.

“DFO announced the regulations for Atlantic salmon and striped bass recreational angling for Gulf region rivers (i.e., Miramichi, Restigouche, etc.) on Friday, April 24. Regulations are the same as last year for both species. Atlantic salmon is live release for the season. Striped bass has a daily bag limit of 3/day, retention slot size of 50-65 cm, spawning area closure during peak spawning on the NW Miramichi, and season from April 25 to September 15, except the Miramichi River system, where it runs from May 1 to October 15.”

Read the full details from DFO on recreational angling for Atlantic salmon and striped bass here: http://www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/G…

Newfoundland’s Alert Levels

The provincial government has released its roadmap for a return to normal activities in the province.  coming out of the lockdown. As it stands, the province is at Level 5, which does not permit recreational angling. If the current positive trajectory continues, on May 11 the province may move to Level 4, which would allow angling and hunting to proceed in time for the planned June 1 opening of the recreational angling season.

Like other provinces, it appears residents will be able to get out on the water this season, but unless inter-provincial travel restrictions are eased, and the U.S. border reopened, people from away may be prevented from making trips.

DFO’s Approach Related to Management

Fisheries and Oceans Canada scientists have released their assessment of 2019 salmon returns to Newfoundland and Labrador. Here’s what they found:

• 24 rivers were monitored in 2019 (20 on Newfoundland, 4 in Labrador)
• 9 assessed rivers were in the critical zone
• 6 assessed rivers were in the healthy zone
• 3 assessed rivers were in the cautious zone
• 2 assessed rivers straddled the divide between cautious and healthy zones
• 3 assessed rivers straddled the divide between the critical and cautious zones
• 1 assessed river, the Sand Hill in southern Labrador provided no data
• 43% overall egg deposition decline in 2019 compared to 2018
• Short-term and long-term average returns show population declines
• Marine survival continues as the principal issue

Based on the numbers from 2019, a cautious approach is warranted for the 2020 season. As part of the annual salmon advisory process overseen by DFO, ASF recommended recreational salmon anglers receive a single tag to start the season with the possibility for the issuance of a second tag following a positive mid-season review. The final decision lies with DFO and is usually made days before the season starts.
To view the full report provided by DFO science in Newfoundland and Labrador, download the provisional stock assessment powerpoint below.

Some highlights (and low lights) from the 2019 salmon season in Newfoundland and Labrador:

Overall adult returns to the Exploits River were down 44% compared to 2018

Two rivers showed record high fish counts – the Terra Nova River and the Northwest River (Port Blandford).

The Conne River, in the heart of Newfoundland and Labradors’s salmon aquaculture industry continues to suffer with just a few hundred adult salmon returning in recent years, down from a high point in 1987 when returns of 10,000 grilse and 500 late salmon were estimated.

At sea survival was generally low, but one river stood out – Rocky River had a 15.5% marine survival for the year class returning 2019.

Charles Cusson, ASF’s Director of Quebec Programs says:

“The MFFP conservation officers are on duty. As far as auxiliary conservation officers go, everything hinges on next Monday’s announcements. That’s when the province is due to update the public on plans for the recreational angling season. The individual river managers and ZECs have been doing their due diligence and are preparing to request money from the government to help with any shortfall due to Covid-19.”

Charles Cusson :

« Les agents de protection de la faune du MFFP continuent leurs tâches et sont en poste. Les annonces anticipées qui seront dévoilées le 4 mai prochain seront déterminantes dans le cadre de protection de la ressource par le biais des auxiliaires de la faune. Les gestionnaires de rivière présentement complètent des vérifications nécessaires afin de déterminer quel appui financier sera requis des instances gouvernementales. »

Kris Hunter, ASF’s Director of Programs in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island says:

“P.E.I. is opening their fishery as of today. The following was posted on P.E.I. Fish and Wildlife Facebook and Website yesterday:

‘The 2020 Recreational Fishing season will begin on Friday, May 1st. All angling regulations as well as those that pertain to COVID 19 will apply. Starting tomorrow afternoon, we will begin to deliver licences to vendor locations across the Island. The E-Licence service is also available.’

Kris Hunter noted the new developments today, May 1:

“Today at 3 pm Dr. Strang announced that fishing season is open. Social distancing must be maintained. Fishing from shore and from a boat are both legal but people in a boat should be from the same family unit.”

For Atlantic salmon recreational angling, this confirms that season will begin on June 1. Given the context of the Covid-19 year, there is great excitement around this opening.

Specifics of the wider announcement by the Premier on Friday afternoon:

• provincial and municipal parks can reopen, but playground equipment will continue to be off limits
• trails are allowed to open
• people are allowed to use and visit community gardens
• garden centres, nurseries and similar businesses can open
• sportfishing is permitted from shore or boat, but fishing derbies are not allowed
• people can attend boating, yacht or sailing clubs for the purpose of preparing boats for use
• golf driving ranges can open, including those at golf clubs, but the course must remain closed; golf clubs can perform necessary maintenance and preparations for opening
• people can use their cottages. Use is restricted to one household unit at a time, travel must be directly to the cottage and back, and travelling back and forth frequently from cottage and primary residence is discouraged
• provincial and private campgrounds remain closed, but they can perform necessary maintenance and preparations for opening. An exception is recreational vehicles parked year-round at private campgrounds, which can be used but must follow the same rules as cottages
• drive-in religious services will be allowed, as long as people stay in their cars, they are parked two metres apart and there are no interactions between people in cars or between people in cars and others

Jason Valliere, Maine Department of Marine Resources biologist writes:

“The Milford fishlift was started up on the morning of April 22nd. River temp is 7C (45F), and flows are high. Thus far we have passed 1 alewife and 2 white suckers.”