R. Hawkins (Hons. B.Sc.) - Senior Fisheries Biologist, NBCFWRU

S.L. Currie (Hons. B.Sc.) - Fisheries Biologist, NBCFWRU

New = 5; Ongoing = 9; Completed in 1998 = 2; Graduate Students = 12 M.Sc. (ongoing)

$230,000 - Research Projects

$20,000 - Cloverleaf Foundation (general research funding)

$10,000 - NB DNRE (general research funding)

Assessment and Protection of the Fish Community in the Grand Lake Meadows

Leader: Curry/Hawkins Research contract: NB DOT, Fredericton to Moncton Highway Project

The fish community in the Grand Lake Meadow, including the Jemseg River and Trout Creek, was assessed in summer, fall, and spring. Recommendations were provided to mitigate the impacts of the new Fredericton to Moncton highway.

Publications and Presentations:

Leader: Curry/HawkinsResearch contract: NB DNRE, Parks Branch and Region 5

An assessment of the brook trout and Atlantic salmon fisheries and the fish community in Nictau Lake, Mount Carlton Provincial Park was undertaken during the summer 1998. The results were combined with a winter creel survey to provide regional fisheries managers with the best management options for Nictau Lake.

Publications and Presentations:

Towards Sustainable Exploitation of Anadromous Brook Trout in Eastern Canada

Leader: Curry  - NSERC Strategic Grant: with L. Bernatchez, F. Whoriskey, and C. Audet (Year 4 of 4)

Research initiatives will examine the genetic composition, physiological traits, and migration ecology of sea-run trout in eastern Canada. Curry and Whoriskey are responsible for the ecology studies which involves the radio and sonic tracking and strontium analyses of bone tissues of trout in the Kennebecasis (NB), Petit Cascapedia (PQ), and Laval (PQ) rivers and their estuaries. This is year one of a four year project. Ten trout in the Kennebecasis and Petit Cascapedia rivers were tracked trough the summer. Ten additional trout will be tracked in the Kennebecasis River this winter.

Graduate Students:

D. Courtemanche, M.Sc. candidate - Strontium as an indicator of estuarine residence in anadromous brook trout

J. vandeSande, M.Sc. candidate - Tracking movements of anadromous trout in rivers and estuaries

Influence of Forage Fish Community on Smallmouth Bass Production

Leader: Dilworth/Curry - Cooperative Research Project: NB Sportfishing Assoc., NB Wildlife Trust Fund, NB DNRE Region 4

Smallmouth bass populations across NB show variations in production rates that do not appear to be related to lake chemistry and productivity. A study is being developed and will begin in 1999 examining forage fish community in a variety of lakes with varied smallmouth bass production to determine the influence of forage fish on smallmouth bass.

Graduate Students:

M. Martin, M.Sc. candidate - The influence of forage fish community structure on smallmouth bass production in NB

Stock Structure and Growth of Brook Trout Among Ponds in Newfoundland

Leader: Curry - Cooperative Research Project: Indian Bay Ecosystem Corp.

A series of connected ponds support fisheries for brook trout in the Indian Bay watershed. Analyses of otoliths and scales will be used to determine the relationships among populations and their potential mixing and metapopulation status. Data were collected during winter fisheries in 1998 and additional samples will be collected in 1999.

Graduate Students:

R. Pritchett, M.Sc. candidate - Use of otoliths and scales for stock separation of brook trouty structure on smallmouth bass production in NB

Impacts of Gaspereau on Smallmouth Bass in New Brunswick

Leader: Curry - Cooperative Research Project: NB DNRE, NB Wildlife Trust Fund (Year 2 of 2)

The abundance and distribution of gaspereau and smallmouth bass in the Mactaquac Headpond and Oromocto Lake are being examined to determine the potential interactions between the species. Studies began this summer and involve determination of the timing of life history stage occurrences and diet overlaps.

Graduate Students:

D. Hanson, M.Sc. candidate - Interactions of alewife and smallmouth bass and the implications for fisheries management

Clarifying the Status of Dwarf Rainbow Smelt, a Threatened Species in Lake Utopia

Leader: Curry/Hawkins - Cooperative research project: NB DNRE, Fish and Wildlife Branch

A dwarf form of rainbow smelt are suggested to occur in Lake Utopia, NB. This species has been classified as threatened. The classification has important implications for managing existing landlocked salmon and trout fisheries in the lake. We are attempting to determine the actual status of the dwarf smelt by assessing their spawning ecology and genetic characteristics. One year of data has been collected. A second year (1999) will confirm the accuracy of separating Lake Utopia smelt into a dwarf sub-species.

Leader: Curry - Research contract: DFO and Western Newfoundland Model Forest

The thermal regimes of incubation habitats were examined in streams varying in treatments from no riparian buffer zone, a 20 m buffer zone, and no timber harvesting in the catchment. The findings indicated that forestry impacts were from road construction (surface water impact) and clear-cut harvesting (groundwater impact). The final manuscripts for scientific publication are near completion.

Publications and Presentations:

Leader: Curry - Cooperative research project: Dr. R. Cunjak, UNB/DFO

A study was initiated in 1996 to examine the changes that occur in temperatures, suspended sediments, and brook trout populations in small streams during the clear-cut harvesting of a forest. We are completing year three of a five year of study.

Fish Communities in Rockweed in the Bay of Fundy: Implications for Harvesting

Leader: Curry - Research Contract: NB Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture

The fish community inhabiting rockweed in the Bay of Fundy is being examined as part of an ongoing Environmental Impact Assessment related to the trial harvesting of rockweed. Rockweed use and fish diets are being examined diurnally, seasonally, and at various tidal stages. We are in the second year of field collections of a two year study.

Graduate Students:

S. Corrigan, M.Sc. candidate - Temporal use of rockweed by fishes in the Bay of Fundy

Publications and Presentations:

Corrigan, S. and R.A. Curry. Temporal use of rockweed by fishes in the Bay of Fundy. Paper - Annual Meeting of the Atlantic Society of Fish and Wildlife Biologists, Rocky Harbor, NF. October 1998.

Identification of Mercury Pathways and Trophic Interactions in Lake Ecosystems

Leader: Curry - Cooperative research project: Canadian Wildlife Service, Science Horizons-Environment Canada, NB Department of the Environment, Sir James Dunn Wildlife Centre

Ongoing studies have identified high levels of mercury in loons in eastern Canada. We are collaborating with the Canadian Wildlife Service to determine the pathways mercury takes as it travels from lake benthos through various trophic levels before reaching the loons. Fish communities, species mercury levels, and their trophic status (diets and stable isotope analyses) are being examined in lakes with variable loon use and levels of mercury contamination. We have completed the field studies and laboratory analyses of diets, mercury, and isotopes will be completed this winter.

Graduate Students:

E. Barry, M.Sc. candidate - Mercury pathways and trophic interactions in New Brunswick lakes.

Publications and Presentations:

Biological Indicators of Stream Health

Leader: Curry - NBCFWRU research project with cooperation from NB DOE

Monitoring of water chemistry alone has proven to be inadequate for determining the health of stream ecosystems. Additional analyses of benthic macroinvertebrates significantly increase accuracy. We are testing a model of invertebrate distributions among stream types based on reference site conditions in the Petitcodiac River, NB. The model will provide a demonstration of the necessity and applicability of biomonitoring when assessing the health of stream ecosystems in NB. Field collections have been completed and laboratory analyses of invertebrates are underway.

Graduate Students:

S. Cashin, M.Sc. candidate - Bioindicators of stream ecosystem health based on reference site conditions.

Genetic Characteristics of Brook Trout in the Miramichi River Watershed

Leader: Curry - Cooperative Research Project: J.D. Irving, Limited, NSERC Industrial Post-Graduate Scholarship Programme, and NB Environmental Trust Fund

Populations of brook trout from across the Miramichi River watershed are being examined to determine their genetic characteristics based on microsatellite DNA. The objective is to determine if populations are unique, or if there is mixing of trout among rivers within the system. These differences have important implications for the management of this heavily exploited species. Genetic indicators for anadromous trout are also being sought. Field collections are complete and laboratory analyses will be concluded this winter.

Graduate Students:

S. Rogers, M.Sc. candidate - Conserving the genetic integrity of Miramichi River brook trout

Publications and Presentations:

Rogers, S. and R.A. Curry. Using a genetic analyser to assess microsatellite loci for polymorphisms in brook trout. Poster - Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research, Kingston, ON. January 1998.

Seasonal Habitat Use by Young-of-the-year Smallmouth Bass

Leader: Curry - Cooperative Research Project: NB DNRE Fish and Wildlife Branch and Region 4

Laboratory studies have indicated that young-of-the-year smallmouth bass will experience high mortality during their first winter if they do not achieve a minimum size during their first growing season. We examined the summer, fall, and winter habitats of bass in lakes. Additional experiments with bass of variable sizes held in lakes over winter were conducted to determine size and energy related mortalities. The work is complete with manuscripts in preparation and an graduate thesis defence upcoming.

Graduate Students:

S. Currie, M.Sc. candidate - Seasonal habitats and over winter survival of young-of-the-year smallmouth bass in lakes

Publications and Presentations:

Currie, S.L. and R.A. Curry. Seasonal habitats of young-of-the-year smallmouth bass: predicting winter survival rates. Paper - Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research, Ottawa, ON. January 1997.

Currie, S.L. and R.A. Curry. Summer distribution of young-of-the-year smallmouth bass. Poster - Atlantic International Chapter, American Fisheries Society. Fredericton, NB. September 1996.

The Impacts of Agriculture on Brook Trout Reproduction in Streams on PEI

Leader: Curry - Cooperative Research Project: PEI Department of Environmental Resources, PEI Flyfishers Assoc., Atlantic Salmon Federation, DFO

Agricultural activities are known to cause severe deposition of sediment in streams with resultant negative impacts on brook trout reproduction. We examined reproductive success and young-of-the-year production in streams in watersheds with 80% and <50% of land in agricultural production. The sediment significantly increased mortality of embryos and production of young-of-the-year trout. Groundwater could mitigate impacts, but significant quantities were required. The mitigating role of riparian buffer strips between streams and agricultural activities was highlighted. The project is complete with manuscripts in preparation and a graduate thesis defense upcoming.

Graduate Students:

S. MacNeill, M.Sc. candidate - The impacts of agriculture on brook trout reproduction in streams on PEI.

Publications and Presentations:

MacNeill, S. and R.A. Curry. Effects of landuse on early life history stages of brook trout on PEI. Paper -Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research, Kingston, ON. January 1998.

MacNeill, S. and R.A. Curry. Impacts of sediment on brook trout on PEI. Annual Meeting of the Atlantic Society of Fish and Wildlife Biologists, Alma, NB. Paper - October 1997.

MacNeill, S.W., R.A. Curry, and D.Cairns. The structure of brook trout populations in agricultural watersheds on Prince Edward Island. Paper - Atlantic Society of Fish and Wildlife Biologists, Woodstock, PEI. October 1996.

Migration, Movements, and Production of Brook Trout in the Kennebecasis River

Leader: Curry -  Cooperative Research Project: Sussex Fish and Game Assoc., NB Environmental Trust Fund, NB Wildlife Trust Fund, NSERC Strategic Grant Programme, Fundy Model Forest, NB DNRE Region 3, Trout Unlimited Canada

This was the first major project of the Fisheries Section, NBCFWRU. It was a three year project that has just been completed. Migration patterns were monitored at a fish counting fence upstream of Sussex on the Kennebecasis River. Additional studies of individual trout movements were conducted using radio tracking. Production was monitored in three tributaries. The studies provided a baseline of information on trout in NB rivers. It also assisted with the assessment of a new angling regulation that closed a section of the river. Key summer habitats for large trout were identified in the closed section, but it was unclear if closing the section was sufficient to enhance actual production of trout. This information was important for local fisheries managers and management of trout resources across NB.

Graduate Students:

D. Sparks - Movement and migration of brook trout in a large river

Publications and Presentations:

Curry, R.A. and D. Sparks. 1997. The Kennebecasis River sea run brook trout study. Final Report and Integration into Phase II of the Fundy Model Forest. New Brunswick Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Fisheries Report #97-1.

Public Service by R.A.Curry: