The Comparative Assessment of Ecological Conditions for Atlantic Salmon in the Northern Minas Basin Rivers, colloquially the “Atlantic Salmon Comparative Assessment Project” is a multi-year initiative funded through the aquatic Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR) by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), to investigate the survival of the endangered inner Bay of Fundy (iBoF) Atlantic salmon fry in Critical Habitat rivers (Debert, Folly, Great Village, Portapique, and Economy Rivers) in the Cobequid Bay, of the Northern Minas Basin, Nova Scotia. MAPC’s previous project, the In-Situ Egg Incubation Project identified a number of questions related to the environmental conditions necessary for the survival of Atlantic salmon fry – the stage at which they are released into the rivers within the project boundaries. Reporting to DFO and the iBoF recovery team, the main goals of the project are to:
- compare the temperature/flow conditions at the time of fry release, particularly in comparison to the timing of emergence of salmon fry incubated in-situ;
- assess the persistence and potential habitat shifting of Atlantic salmon (using eDNA and electrofishing techniques) after the annual fry release; and
- inventory juvenile Atlantic salmon habitat and evaluate the resources available to salmon fry throughout the year (e.g., water quality, food availability, substrate, shelter).
MAPC will support the knowledge about iBoF Atlantic salmon in the northern Minas Basin rivers through RAPID stream assessments, water quality and chemistry analysis, eDNA sampling, habitat assessments, aquatic invertebrate biomonitoring, and electrofishing surveys. With the Atlantic Salmon Comparative Assessment Project, MAPC aims to continue building a database of habitat information and develop a greater understanding about the needs and survival of iBoF Atlantic salmon within the Critical Habitat rivers flowing into Cobequid Bay. The project also hopes to add insight about the recovery of iBoF Atlantic salmon populations in the project area by evaluating trends in the data.
Gavin Scott: Project Manager
Gavin Scott is a recent graduate of the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland. Currently possessing a Diploma in Marine Environmental Technology, Gavin is pursuing a Bachelor of Technology focused on Engineering Technology and Applied Sciences within the marine environmental field. His goal is to help protect/sustain ecosystems and their resources, while advocating for both their ecological and socio-economical value.
During his time as a 2019 Summer Intern at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, he looked at the analysis of micro-habitat interactions happening on a Florida coral reef. Using ecological forecasting software, his aim was to assess the state of the ecosystem 15-years into the future and determine whether the health and biodiversity of the ecosystem was being jeopardized.
Gavin has an adamant passion for the great outdoors, and is always taking steps to minimize his environmental footprint. It was the sheer enjoyment of growing up around water that lead him to uptake a career in the aquatic environment. He also enjoys a wide array of sports and hobbies, such as soccer, fishing, snowboarding, and golf.
Email: gscott@mapcorg.ca