Author: Jaclyn M Hill,  Research Scientist (Fisheries and Oceans Canada)

Designation: 

Description:
The Restigouche River watershed is critical habitat for Atlantic salmon and American eel, but has been subject to extensive habitat fragmentation and increased sediment loads, which have contributed to substantial declines in survival and recruitment of both species. The Gespe'gewaq Mi'gmaq Resource Council plans to complete restoration work in Restigouche River watershed over the next 3 years, by reducing sediment loads (via sediment traps) and reconnecting fragmented habitats (through culvert restoration) to promote the recovery of fish populations and improve ecosystem health/quality. Historically however the effectiveness of aquatic restoration efforts has been hard to assess, as change is often only seen with long-term monitoring, and can be complicated by local physiochemistry and flow. This study aims to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of habitat restoration (before and after) on fish communities by asking : (1) does habitat restoration (culvert restoration, sediment traps) change ecosystem physiochemistry, (2) does it alter fish community composition and result in higher abundances of Atlantic salmon and American eel? and (3) how do food webs change as a consequence of habitat restoration? Preliminary data and fish community assemblages before restoration activities will be presented to provide the baseline on which to evaluate change over the next 5 years. This project will provide data to indigenous communities and government stakeholders on the effectiveness of habitat restoration on the Restigouche River to better inform management decisions for future conservation.

Category: Scientific Program Abstract > Special Sessions > CS02 Management and Conservation of Aquatic Systems