Projects Directory

Rattling Brook creel census

Recipient: Environment Resources Management Association
Approved Amount: $5,000 for 2020 (1st year of a 2-year project, total: $28,795)
Year Approved: 2020

ERMA will conduct a creel census for the 2021 winter angling season within the Rattling Brook watershed. The purpose of this project is to determine if misidentification of fish by recreational anglers is negatively impacting kelt returns and thus possibly effecting the restoration of Atlantic salmon populations in this watershed. This roving creel census will concentrate on fish that were angled, possibly misidentified by the recreational angler as Quananiche and retained. Biological data will be collected through the physical sampling of angled fish. With DFO analysis, identification as either kelt or Quananiche will prove if overwintering kelt are being accidentally angled and therefore reducing kelt populations returning to sea.

Data gathered through this project will also supplement DFO’s summer recreational fishery Atlantic Salmon Licence Stub program for the greater Exploits watershed area, which is an important tool in stock assessment to determine status of salmon populations.

Contact: Kim Thompson, 709 489 7350, executivedirector@erma.ca