Jared, Justine, Jon, & Zach

Greenland Interceptory Fisheries The Greenland Interceptory Fisheries are one of the main causes in the decline of the Atlantic salmon population.

Quota Greenland’s national subsistence quota for Atlantic Salmon is 35 metric tonnes but could still grow larger, which is significantly higher than it has been in the recent past. NASCO (North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization) has previously come to an agreement that the national substance quota should be no more than 20 metric tonnes. But Greenland is not following this suggestion.

DFO The DFO believes that the wild Atlantic salmon harvests in Greenland, could potentially exceed the internationally accepted limit by 35 metric tonnes in the near future. They have done a study on tagged Salmon caught in Greenland, and they found that 4 out of 6 tagged Salmon caught were form the Miramichi. This shows that this fishery is not just affecting Greenland’s Salmon stocks, it is affecting everyone's stock.

Canada’s Reaction Since Greenland has shown no signs in stopping their heavy Atlantic salmon fishing. The DFO is part of the Canadian Government, which means that they represent Canada’s views on this issue. They have said that they are “very disappointed with reports that Greenland has changed its domestic policy on wild Atlantic salmon harvests” Scotland has also spoken about their concerns on this issue.

Growing Every year the Greenland Interceptory Fishery seems to be growing. They are not listening to international advice and seem to be ignoring other countries concerns. Commercial Fishing

Pros of Net-pen Breeding Cheaper to operate. Cheaper to set up.

Pros of Land Based Breeding Eliminates use of antibiotics and pesticides. No harm on wild fish. Reduced effects on the environment.

Cons of Net-pen Breeding Damaging effects on wild fish. Negative impacts on the environment. Use of antibiotics and pesticides.

Cons of Land Based Breeding More expensive to set up. Costs to run are greater.

My Opinion Net-pen breeding is far too damaging. Land based breeding is a viable choice.

Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilis) Striped bass have always had relatively high numbers until thirty years ago. Striped bass were so abundant that it was a commercial fishery and used as a certain type of fertilizer by farmers. Overfishing and poor environmental conditions caused the fishery to collapse in the 1980’s.

History The Striped bass are an anadromous fish, meaning they are born in fresh water, live mostly in the sea and return to the fresh water to spawn. Striped bass can live up to thirty years given the right conditions. Biologists believe that they thrive through the conditions such as, growth rate, season, location, age, sex and competition.

The Largest Striped Bass The largest Striped bass ever documented was caught in 1891 off the coast of North Carolina. It was 125 pounds. Imagine that sized fish swimming through the Miramichi waters terrorizing our fish population.

Population The Striped bass three years ago were estimated at about two thousand in the Miramichi and surrounding waters. This year they can be anywhere from five hundred thousand to two million. Judging by the season and extension on the Striped bass the population definitely went down.

Striped Bass ARE Eating Salmon The Striped bass have been eating large amounts of the fish population in the Miramichi river. Of the fish population our very own Atlantic Salmon are being harmed tremendously. Shared on the internet in 2013 was a picture of a Striped bass with 3 Salmon Smolt in it’s stomach.

Importance of Atlantic Salmon The Atlantic Salmon are an important part of Miramichi and its economy. People from all over the world pay big bucks to enjoy the waters that we have in our own back yards.

History in 1984 a new disease was found in Atlantic salmon that were being farmed. Called the infectious salmon anemia The illness spread slowly and by 1996 it spread to New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland there was another out brake in the island of Shetland which is north east of Britain

ISA can effect all finfish. But so far the illness has only been found in rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon, and Brown trout So far the disease has not been seen at the embryo stage but can affect the fish any life stage after hatching. Depending on the strain of the virus, out brakes of ISA can cause death rates up to 90% of the farmed fish. As of right now no wild salmon have gotten this illness but that doesn’t mean it wont happen down the road.

Signs of ISA Loss of appetite Abnormal swimming patterns (slow swimming or swimming slowly at the surface of the water) The fish gasps for air Gray gills Swollen abdomen Areas of bleeding that may be visible along the belly and sides of the fish.

What to do? When ISA is suspected to be in the farmed fish they have to be investigated and tested to make sure it is positive. The fish is then taken out of the tank and taken to an enclosed location away from the health fish. Also equipment and anything that was in contact with the sick fish has to be removed

Risk to human health As of right now ISA can not harm human health. the reason being is because of our body temperature. But it can become dangerous if it comes in contact with other flu like viruses. As of right now Sobeys is the only store that refuses to sell infected fish. So maybe next time you buy fish from your local store, ask about it…it may determine whether or not you want to eat it.

QUESTION TIME!!!

Bibliography Information provided by MSA, ASF, DFO, Government of Canada.