Richibucto River Atlantic Salmon Incubation and Indigenous Youth Engagement Project

Elsipogtog First Nation community members have identified historically important salmon‑spawning tributaries in the Richibucto watershed, but it remains unclear whether Atlantic salmon are still reproducing there, prompting a project focused on assessing natural recruitment, documenting returning spawners, and evaluating habitat conditions. The work will combine box‑netting to estimate adult returns, standardized redd surveys in Browns Yard and Smiths Corner, and comprehensive water‑quality monitoring—including pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity—to determine habitat suitability and factors influencing egg and fry survival. A strong youth engagement component will connect students with Gelôtigets and scientific partners, blending hands‑on learning with Mi’kmaq teachings on stewardship. This collaborative initiative will generate essential baseline data, guide future recovery actions, and strengthen community‑led conservation of Atlantic salmon in the Richibucto watershed.