St. Mary's River revival as Atlantic salmon river still in jeopardy even after decades of hard work
When you see environmental stories on the news, most often it's bad news – biodiversity and habitat loss, pollution and species at risk.
But concerted conservation efforts can make a difference and decades of stewardship is paying dividends for the wild Atlantic salmon returning to eastern Nova Scotia's St. Mary's River and it may soon pay off for anglers too.
"People on this river will tell you 'should we be reopening a catch and release fishery on this river?'" Tom Cheney said.
Decades of stewardship is paying off for the volunteers of the St. Mary's River Association (SMRA), like president Scott Beaver and director Deirdre Green.
"Our group has been doing a lot of hard work for 42 years now," Beaver said.
Green started angling in 2015, which gave her a new appreciation of Nova Scotia's wild places.
"I think it's important to work to restore our rivers because we want them to be healthy and productive and beautiful aesthetically for future generations to enjoy," Green said. "And it's mind-boggling to me stepping out of HRM and coming to an area like the St. Mary's River how you are transported a beautiful pristine natural paradise."
A new video released along with the Atlantic Salmon Federation documents how concerted efforts can help assist the species, which has disappeared altogether from so many maritime rivers.
The St. Mary's River is about 250 kilometres and long flows through five counties -- Guysborough, Antigonish, Colchester, Pictou and Halifax Counties.
Improving habitat has been a major focus.
"That's rock structures, holding these spots for Atlantic salmon, spots of refuge," Beaver said. "That's 23 km or river work. More work to do, but we're very happy with where we're at and what we've accomplished."
But pressures remain on the wild Atlantic salmon, like over-logging, a proposed gold mine, and acid rain.
"We just started liming last year," Beaver said. "Over 200 acres with about 850 tonnes of lime to bring down that acid problem that we're having."
The SMRA hopes continued improvements will make it possible to open up a catch and release fishery much like the one that exists on Cape Breton's Margaree River.
"Perhaps we can open up a recreational model for the future," Beaver said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.