Rocky River

THE MAKING OF A SALMON RIVER
ROCKY RIVER, ST. MARY'S BAY

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Since its inception in 1979, SAEN has been involved in a number of enhancement, protection and public education projects. SAEN's most ambitious project, spanning nearly 19 years, was undertaken in St. Mary's Bay, Newfoundland. The project involving four salmon rivers (Little Salmonier, North Harbour, Colinet and Rocky), provided hands on training salmon enhancement techniques to individuals in an area of chronic unemployment. The project included the restoration of the spawning channel in North Harbour River, the collection of adult brood stock from Little Salmonier River, the restoration of salmon stocks in Colinet River, and the creation of new salmon stocks in the Rocky River. Historically the Rocky River contained no anadromous Atlantic salmon because of 8-meter impassible waterfalls at its mouth.

The majority of stocking of salmon fry to the Rocky River occurred from 1984 to 1987. In 1995 and 1996 additional fry were introduced into the river. In total, nearly 1.6 million salmon fry were stocked into the Rocky River. A salmon ladder was constructed at the mouth of Rocky River, in 1986 enabling salmon to migrate up river.

The first adult salmon returns occurred in 1987 with 81 salmon entering the river. Since then adult salmon returns to the river have averaged about 350-400 salmon per year. In 2002 the Rocky River opened for the first time to recreational angling for salmon. This river is Atlantic Canada's newest salmon river. All angling was catch and release.

While SAEN is no longer involved in the project the St. Mary's Bay North Development Association is keeping the project alive. They operate the smolt and adult counting fences and are constructing an interpretation center on site and trails around the waterfalls.

SAEN's involvement in this project was a milestone in salmon enhancement, as this was the first community sponsored Atlantic salmon enhancement in Atlantic Canada. The project was a benchmark for generating public interest in the inland fisheries and more than 150 trainees worked on the project over the years. The project was funded primarily by the federal government. Public awareness generated by the project encouraged other groups to enhance additional rivers throughout Atlantic Canada.

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