A Salmon Story

A history of the Atlantic salmon in the inner Bay of Fundy (iBOF) sparked interest when the Hantsport and Area Historical Society gathered for the September meeting. David Parsons introduced Phil Zamora, retired biologist Habitat Protection & Sustainable Development Maritimes Region. He, in turn, introduced his assistant Brian H. Jollymore, who is with Head Planning and Auditing Unit of HP& SD.MaritimeRegion.

With the aid of several colorful computer enhanced pictures Zamora gave the background on the iBOF relating to Atlantic salmon; history prior to 1990; recent history; and the Halfway River Development. Pointing to a map, he explained the iBOF covers an area from Big Salmon River in New Brunswick to the Annapolis River in Nova Scotia. In this area are 48 rivers and their run offs. Halfway river is in that area. Although there is no substantiated proof heresy among some old-timers indicate the presence of salmon in the Halfway prior to 1876.

Zamora referred to the salmon as “the king of fish” and cited several reasons why. They can jump 14 feet. They are tricky to catch and are powerful. Compared to the Pacific, he said the Atlantic salmon “taste better.” They “spawn and go on,” as opposed to the Pacific -- “ they spawn and die.” The migration of bears is geared to these Salmon, Zamora noted. “The dead fish are an easy meal.”

Scales tell history

The life cycle of the salmon is about seven years. Most adult salmon come in to spawn at two or three years. The group was fascinated to learn salmon scales, although tough and difficult to pull out, tell its history - how old, how many years in fresh water, how many times that fish has spawned. Good oxygen and dirt for the nest in the riverbed are needed for the eggs to develop and hatch. This usually takes five to six months. Salmon can grow from three to five pounds in one year. There are thousands of sub species. These are “genetically distinct.” Zamora

Said, “they have unique life traits.” It is estimated the historic population of the Atlantic salmon in the iBOF was up to 50 thousand. The current population is about 200! He noted the iBOF has a recent problem.

“Something happened in 1990 to cause a decline in numbers. The cause is unknown” he admitted.” It is hard to find out these problems at sea. One of the thoughts is seals.”

He is confident the fish can be brought back once the cause is found. “ There is hope!” They go to sea and always come back to where they were born to spawn. Each river has its own specific spawning ground.”

Dams have an effect

“Dams sort of messed up the cycle,” Zamora observed. “There is hope and that is where the Halfway River comes in. It is in the iBOF range and right next door to the Gaspereaux River. The Halfway has excellent Atlantic salmon habitat. However it is upstream to two dams.”

The presentation continued with Brian Jollimore explaining how the Minas Basin Pulp and Power came on board around 2001 seeking a way to open up the Halfway River watershed to fish passage. It was agreed they would install a fish way at Font Dam In Bishopville by Dec. 31, 2011. It was gratifying to hear that designs are complete, plans are finalized and installment is imminent.

“The next step,” Jollymore beamed, “is operation trials.” Plans are to stock the Halfway with Gaspereaux River fish grown in the Coldbrook hatchery. “It is back to the future!” he declared. “There was apoint when the Halfway River had salmon going up. It can again!”

If these trials are successful plans are to restock salmon to other iBOF rivers using the same method.

Before thanking the men Joan Folker told about her husband David catching a 24.5-pound salmon in the saltwater ocean at Berkley Sound, British Columbia, while in the army in the late 1980s.

On behalf of the society, she presented Zamon and Jollymore with a history of Hantsport by the late Hattie Chittick.