Tracking migrating smolt of the Atlantic salmon population (Salmo salar) of Jacques-Cartier River.

To learn more about Atlantic salmon population in Jacques-Cartier River, the project will answer two critical questions for a river undergoing a rebuilding process. First, thanks to an automated meter, situated inside the migrating channel of the mini hydro plant Bird 1, we will monitor with precision smolt migration which indicates the number which migrate through this route around hydroelectric production systems. Secondly, every other day, 100 smolt will be randomly captured by dip net fishing. This assessment is very important because the brood salmon run in Jacques-Cartier River is well identified and this population is at the western limit of its natural distribution. Climate change effects on juvenile salmon survival will be documented for one of the most vulnerable populations in Quebec.

Contact: Antoine Bourke, 418-875-1120, info@cbjc.org