November Newsletter 2016

Welcome to late autumn. While the weather has been sunny and warm, it’s also resulted in low water conditions most everywhere. On the positive note, all reports indicate that salmon and grilse returns have been quite good, so we remain optimistic for the future. Optimism is an essential quality of conservationists and anglers, alike.

We at the Foundation office are gradually wrapping-up many of our project reports on 2016 funded, as well as some multi-year projects. We are constantly impressed how well the projects are performing in meeting their stated conservation objectives. Thus, more cause for optimism!

Our featured volunteer for November is John Bagnall, of Fredericton, NB, who has been a long time member of our Scientific Advisory Committee. John is a keen salmon conservationist and has been a reliable volunteer over many years, beginning with the New Brunswick Wildlife Federation, and later with the NB Salmon Council. We are fortunate that he contributes his expertise to the ASCF and we thank him for his contribution to the success of our many funded conservation projects.

November’s featured project is being carried out by the Town of Holyrood, NL. I visited this project in 2016 with Jim McCarthyand witnessed the great work being supported by the town on Maher’s River running through the heart of Holyrood. The goal is to assess the impact on salmon of the temporary conversion of the river from flowing river habitat to a large impoundment, whether it be a swimming area or due to beaver dam. All in all, a very interesting project!

Here’s a reminder regarding on our approach to funding specific applied research initiatives. The Scientific Advisory Committee will guide its available funding toward priority applied research topics via requests for proposals. The SAC will also be reviewing applied research proposals recommended by Provincial advisory committees to ensure they best address priority research topics.

Yours in conservation!

Stephen Chase