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On Tuesday, ASF staff were in Ottawa to deliver a press conference at the Parliamentary Press Gallery following the discovery of new dumping sites by the salmon farming industry off the coast of southern Newfoundland. ASF is calling on the federal government to put a moratorium on aquaculture expansion in the province.
« It’s a consistent, long standing pattern of dumping plastic in the marine environment,” said Tom Cheney, ASF’s Director of Marketing, who was in Ottawa, along with Vice-President of Communications Neville Crabbe “We’re bringing national attention to it, and making people aware that these companies are treating the south coast of Newfoundland like it’s a dump. »
The discovery of the new sites proves that the extent of the plastic dumping is worse than originally thought. Read the full press release, report summary, and check out a gallery of disturbing images.
« We have satellite imagery going back over 10 years, from several locations, that show blatant disregard for the marine environment,” Tom said.
On June 23rd, ASF staff visited “The Locker” and used a remotely operated submersible to document salmon cages anchored to the sea floor.
This follows a successful tour of the film Rock | Plastic | Salmon, ASF’s new film about the industry’s destructive practices in Newfoundland and Labrador. Visit the website and send a letter to the government of Newfoundland and Labrador. So far thousands have been sent, and the movement continues to gain momentum.
“Your voice counts,” Tom said. “Each one of these letters can make a big difference.”
In this edition of Rivernotes, we also have a great report about the huge numbers of river herring returning to Maine Rivers thanks to ecological restoration work. We have many reports of a high number of grilse in some of our rivers, that also note a lack of 12-18lb salmon. We have great news from the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR) in Eskasoni. We have we have some photo submissions, a reminder about checking for restrictions on our rivers, and some information on warm water protocols in Nova Scotia.
Kim Thompson, Program Director for Newfoundland and Labrador, reports:
« So far, many anglers have reported good fishing conditions. However, on the island of Newfoundland water temperatures in many rivers are rising due to a lack of rainfall. Salmon are pooling, and anglers are expressing the need for consistent rain to help the salmon move upstream. To know if a river is open, restricted to morning angling only, closed, or partial closure, visit the DFO NL In Season River Status page DFO-Newfoundland and Labrador Region / MPO-Région de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador. You can also sign up to receive all « Notices to Anglers » for recreational fisheries sent directly to you by email, by contacting: miranda.pryor@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Paul Wight reports from the Pinware River in Southern Labrador that fishing has been slow, with few fish being hooked or seen. He notes that while water levels were high earlier in the season, they have now settled nicely with the current cool water temperatures, ideal for salmon.
The Northwest River in Terra Nova National Park opened to anglers on June 28, with a total salmon quota of 100 fish. Parks Canada requires anglers to have both a provincial NL Inland Salmon Licence and a National Park Salmon Licence to participate in the Northwest River recreational salmon fishery. The provincial licence must be purchased first, while the National Park Salmon Licence is free of charge and available at the Northwest River Kiosk. For information and updates, please contact the Northwest River Kiosk at 709-235-0703 or visit the Terra Nova National Park Facebook page as well as the Northwest River Conservation Group – Facebook page.
Stay safe and tight lines to all anglers!
In Nova Scotia, warm water temperatures triggered the first Warm Water Protocol meeting for the Margaree River. But recreational salmon fishing remained open. ASF’s program director for Nova Scotia, Deirdre Green, shares some information on the warm water protocol this week:
« On Friday afternoon, July 4th, the temperature threshold outlined in DFO’s Warm Water Protocol for the Margaree River was reached, triggering a meeting among protocol partners the following Monday morning. Fortunately, over the weekend, water temperatures dipped below 20°C, and the forecast shows cooler nighttime temperatures and a chance of rain—welcome news for salmon and anglers alike.
DFO has decided not to implement an angling closure at this time, and recreational salmon fishing on the Margaree River remains open. However, all partners remain on alert: if the threshold is met again—specifically, a daily minimum temperature over 20°C for two consecutive days—a new meeting will be convened, and closures may follow.
The Warm Water Protocol was developed in 2018 to reduce stress on Atlantic salmon during periods of warm temperatures and low water. It outlines in-season conservation measures, including temporary angling closures, based on daily monitoring of water temperature, river levels, long-term forecasts, and salmon behaviour. The goal is to protect migrating and holding fish when conditions become physiologically stressful.
It’s important to note that this protocol does not apply to Indigenous Food, Social, and Ceremonial (FSC) fisheries. It governs recreational angling only.
The protocol is coordinated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) in collaboration with a broad group of partners including the Margaree Salmon Association, Nova Scotia Salmon Association, Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources, Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and the Atlantic Salmon Federation, among others.
Last year, the protocol was triggered on July 11, with recreational closures following on July 12. DFO and partners are continuing to monitor conditions closely and will share further updates as needed. »
Deirdre continues:
« While the river remains open, conditions may not always be ideal for catch and release. Scientific studies have shown that warmer water temperatures—especially above 20°C—can significantly increase post-release mortality in Atlantic salmon, even with careful handling.
Most experienced anglers already take steps to protect fish under these conditions, often choosing not to fish at all when rivers are warm. For newer or less experienced anglers, it’s important to be aware of the impact temperature can have on salmon survival.
Using heavier-test leader or tippet material when fly fishing can shorten the fight time, helping fish recover more quickly. Landing fish efficiently, keeping them in the water, minimizing handling, and avoiding long photo sessions all make a difference. And when water temperatures rise above 20°C, skipping fishing—or heading to the salt—is often the most responsible choice.
Everyone practicing catch and release for salmon or trout during warm weather has a role to play. Staying temperature-aware and fishing with care supports the long-term health of our wild fish and rivers. »
We also have some exciting news from the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR) in Eskasoni. Kyle Denny, ASF’s Partnership Advisor, writes:
The Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources receives funding for Mi’kmaw-led climate action.
The Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR) has been awarded $800,000 in financing from Nova Scotia’s climate change plan. This substantial investment will benefit community-led climate action programs in the five Mi’kmaw communities of Unama’ki (Cape Breton, Nova Scotia): Eskasoni, Membertou, We’koqma’q, Wagmatcook, and Potlotek.
The funds will be used to develop a number of critical projects aimed at climate change mitigation and adaptation. Climate Action Plans for Mi’kmaw Communities include:
The campaign emphasizes the relevance of Indigenous-led solutions in combating climate change. The project’s goal is to strengthen community resilience and promote sustainable practices that protect both the environment and cultural heritage by focusing on Mi’kmaw knowledge and leadership.
The Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) applauded the UINR and its partners for their commitment to environmental sustainability and community resilience. This collaboration emphasizes the significance of collaboration among Indigenous communities, government institutions, and non-profit groups in combating climate change successfully.
Learn more about this vital endeavour here.
Jordan Condon, ASF’s Science Coordinator for Wild Salmon Watersheds was on the Nepisiguit last week, helping the crew at the Nepisiguit Salmon Association with assessments on main tributaries. He writes:
« The Wild Salmon Watersheds program is now well into the field season with the smolt wheel season behind us. Groups have begun their electrofishing assessments, water quality monitoring and habitat surveys. This past week, I had the pleasure of joining the Nepisiguit Salmon Association for some electrofishing and during the days that were too warm we conducted some water quality monitoring.
During my few days with the NSA crew, we surveyed five electrofishing sites with the main objective of checking salmon productivity along key tributaries to the Nepisiguit River. But an equally important goal was getting their crew back up to speed on surveying and operating procedures. Salmon were found at all the sites, with varying densities, but a positive sign nonetheless!
The weather for the week was on the warmer side, so sites selected for electrofishing were done so by closely monitoring stream temperatures and trends. On the warmest day, the crew took a much-deserved break from electrofishing and decided to split into teams and do a widespread water quality assessment. In a single day we covered most of the key tributaries and target reaches of the Nepisiguit River. The information gathered from these assessments will play a vital component in forming our integrated management plans for each Wild Salmon Watershed.
Thanks to the NSA crew for a fantastic week and putting in some long days of not easy work! »
In Quebec, a lot of young salmon are being caught, but it seems like not as many larger ones. ASF’s Quebec Program Director starts this week’s report by reminding anglers to not be discouraged yet:
« Comme je le dis chaque année, peu importe si les choses s’annoncent bien ou moins bien à ce moment-ci de la saison, les chiffres importants (du moins au Québec) sont ceux au 30 septembre ». Les informations que je reçois de la plupart des régions saumon sont dominées par le fait que les retours de madeleineaux semblent être sur la bonne voie. Également, la cohorte de saumon de 12 à 18 lb ne semble pas être en grand nombre, mais plusieurs saumons qui ont hiverné pendant 3 ans semblent être au rendez-vous sur les rivières telles que la Cascapédia, la Causapscal, Saint-Jean (Gaspé), la Grande-Rivière et la Bonaventure.
La Basse-Côte-Nord, particulièrement la rivière Saint-Paul, se porte bien comme témoigne ce message de Brenda Nadeau qui précise : « Bonjour Charles, nous voyons beaucoup de madeleineaux, le plus vu depuis dix ans. Le niveau d’eau est toujours bon ainsi que la température. La photo ci-jointe démontre Dennis Sullivan à gauche et Garland Nadeau à droite. Tous les deux ont piqué des madeleineaux en même temps! Ils étaient dans la fosse Chute. Cela s’est produit plusieurs fois au cours des derniers jours. Nous vivons une saison de gratitude et de soulagement. Voir le retour de tant de saumons a remonté le moral de tout le monde. »
Au plaisir de se voir le long d’une rivière cet été et n’hésiter pas de partager vos expériences de pêches, vos observations et vos photos pendant la saison 2025.
He also provided his report in English:
« As I say each year, regardless if things look good or not so good at this point in the season, the important numbers (at least in Quebec) are the ones as of September 30th.
The information I am receiving from most salmon regions is dominated by the fact that grilse returns seem to be on the right track. Also, the 12 to 18 lb. class don’t seem to be in great numbers, but many 3 sea winter fish are being landed on rivers such as the Cascapedia, Causapscal, St-Jean (Gaspé), the Grande-Rivière and the Bonaventure.
The lower north shore, especially St-Paul’s River is performing well as this message from Brenda Nadeau states:
‘Hi Charles, we are seeing lots of grilse. The most seen in ten years. The water level is still good as is the temperature. The photo shows Dennis Sullivan on the left and Garland Nadeau on the right. Both had on grilse at the same time! They were in the chute pool. This happened several times over the course of three days. It has been a year of gratitude and relief. Seeing the return of so many salmon has lifted the spirits of everyone.”
I wish you Tight Lines and memorable experiences with Salmo this summer. Until then, I hope to meet you along a river this summer and please don’t hesitate to send me details of your fishing experiences and photos during the 2025 season. »
Bill Taylor, retired ASF President and current ASF Advisor, was fishing on the Cascapedia. He submitted some photos and wrote:
« I am fishing with my buddy Yvon Chouinard on the Cascapedia.I released a gorgeous 36.5 pound hen fresh from the sea this am. An epic take and fight. »
David Roth, ASF’s Program Director for New Brunswick, has been on the rivers. He was on the Upsalquitch, in northern New Brunswick, fishing a crown reserve pool with friends, and on the Nashhwak River, learning about an innovative fish fence design, that can hopefully improve other counting fences in the province. David writes:
« I engaged with Mark Gautreau from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) at the counting fence on the Nashwaak River to explore the innovative design they have implemented since last year, which now includes a section of floating fence. The new section allows safer and better operations during high water events. »
« While on site, I could also accompany one of the crew doing their daily monitoring routine to check the trap for upstream-migrating Atlantic salmon. On this particular day, nine grilse were present in the trap. After measuring and marking them, they were successfully released upriver by the staff to continue their journey. It’s worth noting that the previous day yielded the same number of fish, but two salmon were also collected and moved upriver. «
« I plan to integrate the insights from this visit and from other counting fence locations into an upcoming presentation for our Wild Salmon Watershed partners Pabineau First Nation on the Nepisiquit River. Pabineau First Nation has been operating a counting fence for many years; however, the fence cannot be fully operational during high-water events, and therefore, not all fish passing the site can be counted. Thus, some modifications to the fence would be beneficial to improve the count statistic.
Additionally, since the last Rivernotes, I attended his annual Crown Reserve trip on the Upsalquitch River. His group caught a total of 12 fish, with many additional fish showing interest in their flies. Discussions with other anglers painted a positive picture, as numerous catches were reported along various stretches of the river, with a notable influx of grilse into the system. In my group, only one out of the 12 landed fish was a salmon, while another party fishing downstream in a Daily Crown Reserve stretch successfully caught six grilse. »
John Burrows, ASF’s Vice President of US Operations, wrote this week about the large numbers of river herring returning to Maine rivers. The ecological recovery is in part thanks to work by ASF and many other partners. He writes:
« Returns of alewives and blueback herring (collectively referred to as river herring) to Maine’s rivers broke modern day records in 2025. There were 5,926,084 river herring passed at Milford Dam on the mainstem of the Penobscot, while there were 9,039,251 river herring passed at Benton Falls Dam on the Sebasticook, a tributary of the Kennebec. Millions more returned to other rivers, including the Saco, Androscoggin, Sheepscot, Damariscotta, St. George, Union, East Machias, and St. Croix.
The numbers on the Penobscot and Kennebec – incredibly impressive in their own right – are actually only a portion of the runs in both these watersheds. The actual number of river herring returning to the Penobscot was likely several million more fish, because there are significant runs that aren’t counted on tributaries like Blackman Stream and the Souadabscook River – where ASF completed multiple Headwaters projects over the years.
In the Kennebec, the total river herring run is likely in excess of 25 million fish, an absolutely staggering number of fish! There is a substantial commercial harvest on the Sebasticook below Benton Falls (harvest numbers are not made public) and there are significant runs on several lower river tributaries that add millions more fish to the totals for the watershed.
It’s important to remember that before the removal of the Edwards Dam (1999) and Fort Halifax Dam (2007) on the Kennebec and Sebasticook, and prior to the removal of the Great Works Dam (2012) and Veazie Dam (2013) from the Penobscot, that the river herring runs in both watersheds were in the tens or low hundreds of thousands. Virtually no river herring ever went above Veazie Dam!
ASF, working in conjunction with myriad local, tribal, state, federal, and NGO partners, played a significant role in achieving these phenomenal numbers and the ecological recovery of the Kennebec and Penobscot. And we continue to invest in these and other watersheds, working to remove more dams – large and small – and to replace undersized, impassable culverts. »
Jennifer Noll, a Marine Resource Scientist with the Maine Department of Marine Resources provided updates for the Kennebec and Androscoggin rivers. She wrote:
« During this past week in the region, mean air temperatures have varied between 65-78°F – the highs ranging from the mid-70’s to the low 90’s (°F) and lows ranging from the high 50’s to 70°F. Flow conditions in the lower Kennebec River have been declining over the past week. The low discharge for the week dipped to 4,840 cfs and the high peaked at 6,800 cfs. Currently the river flow is at 4,850 cfs, which falls between the median discharge level (4,810 cfs) and the mean discharge level (6,870 cfs) (https://waterdata.usgs.gov, based on 39 years of data).
Lockwood fish lift, located in Waterville, ME at the first dam on the mainstem Kennebec River, opened on May 1st for the 2025 season. The trap has been operational the entire week. Forty-nine new Atlantic salmon have been captured to date; the first two arrived on 5/30. We’ve had a few special appearances so far this year – one wild female 3 sea-winter (89cm) on 6/8 and one wild female long absence repeat spawner (84.5cm) on 6/11. The water temperature has warmed up to 22°C.
Brunswick fishway, located in Brunswick, ME on the mainstem Androscoggin River, was opened May 1st this year. Flow conditions have been variable this past week in the lower Androscoggin River, reaching a low of 2,740 cfs and a high of 6,850 cfs. Currently, the river flow is at 3,100 cfs, which falls between the 25th percentile discharge level (2,610 cfs) and the median discharge of 3,550 cfs (https://waterdata.usgs.gov, based on 96 years of data). The temperature currently ranges between 21.4°C and 24.9°C. The first Atlantic salmon at Brunswick in 2025 showed up on 6/13. »
Jason Valliere a Marine Scientist with the Maine Department of Marine Resources had a quick update from the Penobscot river:
« Despite some warm river temps, we still have some Salmon moving around! 103 since last week’s update!
Lots of juvenile herring making their way down the river too! »