Conserve and Preserve
Wolastoq Watershed Management Process
MNCC initiated a transboundary process to formulate a management strategy for the Wolastoq. This collaborative approach includes rights holders, stakeholders, and Wolastoqey communities of the river in Canada and the United States (US). We have conducted 3 cross boundary summits in Maine, Kingsclear, and Madawaska. We have also had yearly meetings since 2023.
Working with AFS communities
MNCC has proudly collaborated with AFS working groups of member communities since 2010. Together, we have undertaken various projects, including experimental fishing, water quality assessments, stream assessments, fish population studies, and electrofishing initiatives. Our partnership continues to drive meaningful advancements in aquatic research and conservation efforts. We look forward to many more years of collaboration.
Restoration Projects
Photo credit to Nashwaak Watershed Association
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MNCC has completed two major restoration projects.
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Campbell Creek Restoration Project was initiated in 2019 and involved a partnership between NGOs, Wolastoqey communities and organizations, and the City of Fredericton.
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In 2013 MNCC collaborated with the Fredericton Fish and Game Association (FFGA) to dismantled a concrete dam at the mouth of MacIntosh Brook. The removal provided fish access to 2500 m2 of high quality stream habitat.
Ghost Gear Removal
MNCC conducted a project in the Bay of Fundy marine ecosystem to remove abandoned fishing weirs (ghost gear) in the area. Fundy North Fishermen’s Association (FNFA) and DFO were consulted to identify potential abandoned weir sites. Local fishers and knowledge holders were then consulted to ascertain sites no longer in use. In 2020-2021, 7 sites were assessed for ghost gear and our efforts removed over 2 tons discarded equipment from six abandoned fishing weirs. In 2021-22, we worked on the "New Light Weir" and partially cleaned the additional site with 1,515 kg of ghost gear was removed from the area.
Black Crappie Project
This year, MNCC, on behalf of the Wolastoqiyik, initiated a project in collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, to investigate a recently discovered aquatic invasive species in the Wolastoq watershed.
We completed our first year of this project thus far with help from AFS working groups. Woliwon
Current Projects
MNCC has conducted several projects over the years. Our major conservation mission is Species At Risk (SAR) Program, which gathers SAR data and builds stewardship capacity within our member communities. The program addresses vital issues pertaining to SAR in the trans-border watershed level. MNCC has collected, processed and preserved Indigenous Knowledge (IK) of the Wolastoqiyik which is useful for conservation for SAR.
Atlantic Wolffish Study
The ecology of the Atlantic wolffish was studied in the Bay of Fundy marine ecosystem. SCUBA surveys and acoustic telemetry were used to understand the behavioural ecology and stable isotope analysis was used to evaluate the feeding ecology of wolffish. Ninety-four scuba dives were conducted near Deer Island in the Bay of Fundy to locate wolffish dens, observe fish behaviour, and deploy receivers for the acoustic telemetry survey. Invertebrates and wolffish tissue samples were collected to study the feeding ecology of the fish.
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