Grand River Update
We are still awaiting results of the work done on the Grand River this past year. Anecdotal reports were not positive with respect to the presence of Atlantic salmon in the system. We will have to wait for the official report. The folks at Richmond County Wildlife Association, who have worked tirelessly over many years to help this river, are showing signs of discouragement.
Recently, Chuck Thompson a member of WSU’s board of directors, had a long conversation with Greg Stevens and Alex Levy of the Maritimes division of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). In that conversation, DFO officials indicated that current policies do not allow smolt stocking as a method of re-establishing, or improving a river’s salmon population. In that case, WSU has to re-evaluate its approach and determine if these policies can be changed. If not then a total new approach is required.