NEW BRUNSWICK ANGLING SEASONS MODIFIED

Moncton - The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has announced today measures affecting angling seasons for 1996 as identified in the angling booklet Fish New Brunswick 1996.

The season for Atlantic salmon angling on the Nipisiguit River will be extended to October 15 from its mouth to Grand Falls. This measure is recommended by the Nipisiguit Salmon Association following its assessment confirming recent studies that this should result in minimal impact on the salmon resource. The Association also cites benefits of dispersing salmon angling effort, and affording greater protection for salmon stocks.

The regular season for Atlantic salmon angling on the Main Southwest Miramichi River in the area between Burnt Land Brook in Boiestown and the forks of the North and South Branches of the Miramichi River at Juniper will close for angling on September 30. This area will then be re-opened from October 1-15 for hook and release salmon angling. The Miramichi Watershed Committee has provided DFO with this recommendation, with a commitment from its members to assess angling effort and environmental conditions to determine potential impact on salmon stocks.

In response to proposals from provincial trout biologists for management of trout stocks in Madawaska County, the trout season above Grand Falls, on the Upper Saint John River and tributaries excluding lakes, will be extended two weeks to close September 30.

As in previous years, waters bordering with the United States will close on September 30, while most lakes throughout the Province will be closed to trout angling on September 15. Anglers are asked to check for additional measures affecting lakes being restored for angling by the Fraser Forest Company in Northwest New Brunswick.

Measures announced earlier this year to extend the trout angling season on the Tobique River have raised concern among local angler representatives over the impact on depleted trout stocks,and the potential impact on salmon conservation plans. DFO has accepted this advice and will close the Tobique River to trout angling on September 15.

Revisions to the annual angling plan are a result of DFO's ongoing assessment of fish stocks and consultations with angling organizations, consistent with the recovery strategy for New Brunswick's recreational fisheries resources.

Anglers are advised to consult the Fish New Brunswick 1996 booklet for all other measures applicable to angling in New Brunswick. This Guide is available from provincial angling licence vendors.

For information:

Carol Ann Rose
Area Manager
Southwest New Brunswick
Fisheries and Oceans
St. Andrews, N.B.
(506) 529-5850

Robert Allain
Area Manager
Eastern New Brunswick
Fisheries and Oceans
Tracadie-Sheila, N.B.
(506) 395-7702

David Dunn
Chief, Recreational Fisheries
Fisheries and Oceans
Moncton, N.B.
(506) 851-6850