NR-M-98-28E
CLOSURE ON SALMON FISHING IN SWNB MAINTAINED
August 5, 1998
Carol Ann Rose, DFO Area Manager Southwest
New Brunswick, announced today that the New Brunswick rivers draining into
the Bay Fundy would remain closed to fishing for Atlantic salmon fishing
for the remainder of this year. Amongst these rivers the Saint John River
is the most prominent. The announcement followed a meeting of the Salmon
Fishing Area 23 Management Advisory Committee (Saint John River and Outer
Bay of Fundy) which was attended by more than 20 representatives of First
Nations, sport and commercial interest groups as well as representatives
of NB Dept. Natural Resources and Energy and NB Power.
Ms. Rose said that the decision is based
on scientific advice that less than one-quarter (25%) of the conservation
requirements were likely to be met for the system above Mactaquac and the
Nashwaak River. The decision to remain closed was the consensus of the
Advisory Committee which also considered that any fishery at this time,
given the warm water conditions, would put at risk low numbers of returning
female salmon. It is important that every female fish, including grilse
females, be allowed to spawn.
Scientific projections indicated that there
could be a surplus of hatchery-origin, male grilse returning to Mactaquac
Dam; surplus being defined as those male fish which would exceed the number
prescribed to mate with the returning females. Ms Rose indicated that when
and if these fish materialised in September, it may offer some opportunity
for a selective harvest for Aboriginal Communities.
Ms. Rose indicated that she will be meeting
with the Saint John River Aboriginal Leaders later this month to provide
updates on the status of the salmon stocks and to solicit their input.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Catherine Clute
Communications
Fisheries and Oceans
Maritimes Region
Halifax., N.S
(902) 426-6595
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