Your monthly resource for MSA conservation updates, Miramichi Watershed Information, upcoming MSA Events and much much more. |
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A Note from MSA President -
Dr. Robyn McCallum
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Hello MSA supporters,
Spring is (almost) in the air! Tis the season for muddy dog paws, shedding horses, and more importantly, ice out on Miramichi rivers and tributaries. We are excited for fishing season to open April 15, and I’m sure many of you are as well! If you have photos to share as we kick off fishing season, feel free to tag us on our social media platforms.
There are a few updates since our last Leaper. Our AGM is now scheduled for Saturday, May 29. If COVID-19 regulations continue to allow, there will be in-person capacity and we will provide a virtual option. Save the Date notices are on our website, social media platforms, and have gone out to our members via email. We will continue to share more information as the date approaches. We look forward to your participation and encourage you to renew your membership and have an active voice at our AGM.
MSA team members participated in the Plamu First conference March 16-18, held virtually. The goal of the conference was to create the next five-year management plan for the Miramichi River. Participants of Plamu First included Anqotum Resource Management, North Shore Micmac District Council, Atlantic Salmon Federation, DFO, NB Salmon Council, University of New Brunswick, Canadian Rivers Institute, and Miramichi Salmon Association.
We await a report from our facilitator, but MSA remains open to collaboration and has already started working with groups to build research and monitoring activities together. My sense from the conference was that groups understood the urgency of salmon conservation, are aware of the many threats facing salmon conservation, and are ready to pitch in to make a difference now. Mark Hambrook gave a presentation on the history of stocking in Miramichi which was well received. I gave an overview of all the research and monitoring activities taking place on the Miramichi. The list was extensive and impressive, but also highlighted that we need to do better to share our work and move forward, collectively. I see some real opportunities here, but we have to build on the momentum of this conference and not let another season pass us by.
In late March, our chair (Debbie Norton), vice-chair (Joe Palmer), hatchery manager (Mark) and I met with Premier Higgs and Minister Holland (Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development) in Fredericton. We will continue to work closely with government on several fronts, particularly smallmouth bass eradication and getting eggs in the gravel/fish in the river.
We have yet to hear back about our smallmouth bass eradication application, but we are preparing for the eradication should it be approved. Detailed planning meetings are ongoing with our working group.
Our Chair Challenge campaign was very successful, and I would like to thank you for your support. With your contributions we were able to upgrade some key office equipment and migrate to Office 365. Thank you!
Our biologist, Lyndsay, is a month into her position. Stay tuned for our field and research updates throughout the season.
Finally- we’ve been working hard on updating our website and enhancing our communications. Be sure to follow along with our website and social media feeds for daily news from the MSA.
Take care,
Robyn
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Upcoming MSA Spring Auction |
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Sadly, due to COVID-19, once again this year we will not be able to host our traditional Moncton Gala dinner, our combined NSPA/MSA dinner, or our Icebreaker dinner. As disappointing as this is for the MSA Dinner Committee's and the MSA, safety is our first priority! To make the most of a bad situation, the dinner committees have decided to work together and host a fantastic Spring Auction which will launch May 14th and run until May 31st. We have a variety of fishing trips, works of art, fishing equipment, boxes of flies and a bunch of other items of interest to the angler or outdoor enthusiast. Keep you eyes open for an email from us with a link to the auction preview. There's sure to be something for everyone, including the prime fishing trips listed below!
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Rocky Bend Fishing
August 23rd to August 25th
Accommodations, meals and guide included.
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Wilson's Day Trips
Multiple day trips available for 2 rods. Grab a buddy, pack a lunch, and head on out salmon fishing to some of the finest salmon pools on the Miramichi.
Mutually agreeable dates
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Maple Leaf Lodge
August 7th to 9th
"Couples Trips"
4 Couples for 3 days of fishing
Accommodations, meals and guide included
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Congratulations to Dr. Antóin O’Sullivan |
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The MSA would like to congratulate Dr. Antóin O’Sullivan from the Canadian Rivers Institute and the University of New Brunswick on the successful defense of his Ph.D. Dr. O'Sullivan's research explores interactions between landscape features in the Miramichi watershed that create vital cold-water habitat for wild Atlantic salmon. This is especially important research as climate change is forecasted to warm rivers and certain wetlands. Antóin was the MSA's 2016 and 2020 recipient of the Jack T.H. Fenety scholarship and we are proud to have played a small role in Antoin’s important work. We can’t wait to see what Antoin will accomplish next! |
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Thermal and Hydraulic Characteristics of Landscape and Their Rivers |
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Hey shutterbugs! Just a reminder that the MSA photo contest opens for submissions on April 1st. In years gone by, some of our best photos have been of spring fishing. We LOVE pictures of people out fishing, enjoying our rivers, and all that the Miramichi has to offer. We will be ramping up our photo contest prizes this year for our winners so keep checking our website for updates. If you have pictures to submit please click the link below. |
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Planned Giving - A Thoughtful Gift |
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People from all walks of life support the Miramichi Salmon Association. Among them is a very special group of committed conservationists - people who have chosen to make a planned gift today in order to ensure that their lifetime of support and passion for the wild Atlantic salmon, for the Miramichi River that is their home, and for the vital work being done by the MSA to protect and conserve both, will live on and be sustained long into the future.
Planned giving is a conscientious process whereby caring individuals and donors achieve their philanthropic giving objectives through a means or platform that allows them to maximize the financial and taxable benefits associated with charitable giving. Planned gifts are often deferred, meaning they don’t materialize until the donor’s passing, while others are current gifts thus generating significant tax savings today!
Generally speaking, planned giving allows donors to establish and/or leave a significant legacy gift while still insuring that their personal and/or family’s financial needs have been considered and looked after. To view planned giving options please click the link below.
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The Chair Challenge - Thank you! |
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We would like to thank everyone who donated to the Chair Challenge – it was a huge success - we raised over $10k. At the MSA we are continuously focused on salmon conservation, but much of our work happens behind the scenes. Thanks to the donors of the Chair Challenge, we are able to update some of our aging computers and office equipment – a much needed improvement.
We sincerely thank you!
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In these challenging times of COVID-19 we all have to do our part and follow health guidelines - and these days that includes wearing a face mask. If we have to wear one, why not support the MSA and salmon conservation efforts at the same time? To that end, we have ordered MSA branded face masks. The mask are for sale for $10 a each and can be purchased by clicking the link below. |
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MSA Annual General Meeting |
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We are planning for our 2021 MSA AGM on Saturday, May 29, at 10 am. Details on meeting location will be circulated in advance as we follow COVID-19 public health guidelines. A virtual option will be available for those joining remotely. To RSVP for this event (in-person and virtually), please contact Vanessa McLaughlin at admin@miramichisalmon.ca or call (506) 622-4000. This will help us with COVID-19 planning.
Board of directors- please note that we will have a board meeting immediately following the AGM.
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The MSA would like to encourage you to participate in our weekly Creel of Fortune toonie draw. It's fun, you could win some money, and it is a great way to support salmon conservation! Please click the link below to sign up or re-up on your lucky number. Good luck!
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Keep your eyes open for the MSA's upcoming raffle for a fishing trip. We will be launching raffle ticket sales on April 15th and selling tickets up until May 31st - when we do our draw. Tickets will be available by calling the MSA office in South Esk (506-622-4000), on our Facebook page, the MSA website or by clicking the link below. More information on the raffle (fishing trip details) will be available on our website and social media platforms in the coming week. We thank you in advance for you participation! |
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Thank you to everyone who sent in questions for Rick. We chose the following question to answer this month. K. Dalton asked:
Climate change is a certainty, however, the full impacts of climate change are not necessarily well understood or able to be measured. This is especially true in aquatic environments that support many species, including Atlantic salmon. What physiological changes could we see in Atlantic salmon as they try and adapt to ever changing environments as a result of climate changes in New Brunswick rivers?
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If you have a question you would like answered, please email your question by clicking the button below. Dr. Rick Cunjak (or someone from the MSA ) will provide an answer to your question in the Leaper the following month. |
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Dr. Richard Cunjak is a retired professor at University of New Brunswick where he held a joint appointment in the Department of Biology and the Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Management. Rick has more than 35 years experience working on the behavioural ecology of riverine fishes. |
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Still not a member of the Miramichi Salmon Association?
Membership in the MSA is the perfect way to express your passion and support for the Miramichi River, for the Atlantic salmon who make it their home, and for the vital work being done by the MSA to protect and conserve both for today and tomorrow!
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