Supporting Salmon: Addressing Habitat Degradation, Food Web Exploration, and Smallmouth Bass Predation

New Brunswick’s Wolastoq-Saint John River watershed faces severe ecological degradation from agriculture, human disturbance, and climate change, impacting Atlantic salmon populations. In 2024, the HRAA observed critical issues in the Hammond River, a vital salmon tributary: increased sedimentation, glyphosate presence, and the unprecedented appearance of smallmouth bass in eight salmon-bearing tributaries. To address these concerns, the HRAA proposes a comprehensive strategy involving: 1) riparian restoration of Salt Springs Brook; 2) benthic and glyphosate impact assessments; 3) smallmouth bass monitoring and population studies; and 4) targeted public engagement through surveys, cleanups, education, and volunteer events. This project aims to restore habitat, understand food web impacts, and mitigate smallmouth bass predation to protect and enhance Atlantic salmon populations.