Salmon stocks fall in Northwest Miramichi River

A salmon conservation group is demanding action to reverse the decade-long decline in salmon stocks in the Northwest Miramichi River.

Mark Hambrook, the president of the Miramichi Salmon Association, said he's predicting another very poor salmon run this year.

The conservation group is concerned about a drop in salmon stocks on the Northwest Miramichi River.

'This is a big concern, of course, at DFO and especially in the Miramichi area because salmon fishing is a part of the culture and a very big part of the local economy.' — Frederic Boutrille, DFO spokesman

In the last 10 years, only 50 per cent of the required number of eggs needed to preserve a healthy population of salmon has been achieved.

Last year, the number of salmon eggs in the river dropped to 34 per cent of the necessary number to sustain a healthy stock.

Hambrook said he wants the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to find out what is causing the decline in salmon eggs.

"We really need to examine it to find out what is the core reason why this is a decline on the Northwest Miramichi. But until we find that answer we're all going to have to practice a little bit more conservation," Hambrook said.

Much of the river is public, used by anglers who often keep their catches. First Nations fishermen from Eel Ground and Metepenagiag also use the river to fish for food and ceremonial purposes.

Hambrook said both groups need to make changes to preserve stocks.

"We would like to see all female fish released, whether they're grilse or salmon. And we'd certainly like to see the aboriginal community release their large female salmon as well," Hambrook said.

That option proposed by the group would mean not using traditional gillnets, which catch male and female salmon.

Changes needed

For anglers, the salmon association wants the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to impose hook-and-release only on the river for the rest of the season.

Frédéric Butruille, a DFO spokesperson, said they have met with all the stakeholders and a decision on how the department will act is days away.

He said the drop in salmon numbers is a serious concern for anglers and First Nations communities who fish on the river.

"This is a big concern, of course, at DFO and especially in the Miramichi area because salmon fishing is a part of the culture and a very big part of the local economy," Butruille said.

"So of course this is a concern for a lot of people."