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Review of Control and Eradication Activities Targetting Smallmouth Bass in Miramichi Lake, New Brunswick

Regional Science Special Response Process – Gulf Region

March 7, 2013
Moncton, New Brunswick

Chairperson:  Gérald Chaput (DFO Gulf Region)

Context

In August 2008, anglers reported the presence of the non-native Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) in Miramichi Lake, which drains into a headwater tributary of the South Branch of the Southwest Miramichi River in New Brunswick. In response to concerns about the potential impact of Smallmouth Bass on Atlantic Salmon, a risk assessment of the possible impact of this non-native species introduction in the Miramichi River system was conducted in January 2009 (DFO 2009; Chaput and Caissie 2010). The overall risk to aquatic species in Miramichi Lake was considered to be high with low uncertainty whereas the risk of potential impacts to the ecosystem of the Miramichi River and other rivers of the Gulf Region was judged to be moderate with high uncertainties (DFO 2009). Following on the risk assessment and field investigations of 2009, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in collaboration with the watershed groups and the province of New Brunswick initiated in 2010 a three-year containment, control and eradication program. The program consisted of operating a containment barrier and removing smallmouth bass from Miramichi Lake using mechanical technologies. As 2012 was the third year of the three-year program which began in 2010, DFO Science has initiated a review of the results of the three-year program and recommendations for future activities in Miramichi Lake should these be appropriate.

Objectives

The objectives of the meeting are:

  1. Describe and analyze the results of the control and eradication activities in Miramichi Lake for smallmouth bass for 2010 to 2012 including:
    • Summary of fishing effort and catches of Smallmouth Bass and other fish species in Miramichi Lake by fishing gear type, season, and year.
    • Descriptions of the biological characteristics of the Smallmouth Bass captured in Miramichi Lake including age structure, size, sex, and other species characteristics.
    • Estimates where available of the total abundance of Smallmouth Bass in Miramichi Lake by size or age group and year.
    • Indications of the extent of population size reduction of Smallmouth Bass in Miramichi Lake over the three year control and eradication program.
  2. Assess the most effective capture techniques which could be considered in future control programs of Smallmouth Bass in Miramichi Lake.
  3. Evaluate activities which could be considered in the near future to ensure that the risks of Smallmouth Bass surviving and reproducing in Miramichi Lake are as low as possible.

Expected Publications

Participation

References

Chaput, G., and D. Caissie. 2010. Risk assessment of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) introductions to rivers of Gulf Region with special consideration to the Miramichi River (N.B.). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2010/065. vi + 39 p.

DFO. 2009. Potential Impact of Smallmouth Bass Introductions on Atlantic Salmon: A Risk Assessment. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2009/003.

Notice

Participation to CSAS peer review meetings is by invitation only.

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