Our Successes...
Muskellunge Re-introduction Program
By Christine Selinger, Biologist
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
-October 2003
BACKGROUND...
Muskellunge were abundant in the Lower Spanish River in the early 1900’s
Aquatic degradation in the 1940’s, 50’s, and 60’s as a result of log driving operations, pulp mill effluent, mining/milling/smelting in the Sudbury Basin
Commercial and recreational over-fishing
Muskellunge were extirpated by 1950’s
Remedial Action Plan...
AOC designation 1980 (IJC)
RAP process to assess/improve aquatic ecosystem
Secondary treatment at Espanola pulp mill in 1983, other process modifications in Espanola and the Sudbury basin
Ecosystem largely recovered, some outstanding sediment toxicity
Stage 2 RAP completed in 1999 – designation as an “Area in Natural Recovery”
Re-introduction of musky established as one of the formal de-listing criteria
Fisheries Assessment Initiatives...
Index assessment conducted in mid-1990’s documented recovery of healthy, functional fish community
Over 9000 fish sampled, 34 species
Sturgeon, channel cat, redhorse suckers rare
No muskellunge
Muskellunge Re-introduction...
Component of Stage 2 RAP
Felt that habitat and water quality had largely recovered and would support muskellunge
Feasibility study - Bernard Lebeau (BAR) agreed that conditions were favourable and suggested stocking of large fingerlings as opposed to eggs or fry
Target 2000 fingerlings per year for 6 years
Protection provided until population is self-sustaining
Partnership - A Key To Success...
Project support via a partnership fostered largely by the efforts of the Friends of The Spanish River includes contributions by:
Government - OMNR, OMOEE, Environment Canada
Industry - Domtar, INCO, Falconbridge
Non-profit Organizations: North Shore Anglers and Hunters, Espanola Game & Fish, Fish America Foundation, Recreational Fisheries Institute of Canada, Muskies Canada, OFAH, NAR
Egg Collections...
Electrofishing investigations spring 1995
Eight successful egg collections conducted using trapnets (1996 – 2003)
Over 300 adult muskellunge handled, with many exceeding 54” (50 lbs +)
All muskellunge sampled, tagged, and released in conjunction with LHMU muskellunge assessment program
Donor Stocks...
McGregor Bay - 1996, 2000
Bay Of Islands - 1997, 1998
Serpent Harbour - 1999
French River - 2001
Magnetewan River - 2002, 2003
Gametes taken from approx. 100 fish, representing 5 donor stocks
DNA collected from donor populations
Incubation and Rearing...
Local incubation of fertilized eggs in jar hatchery at Domtar mill in Espanola
Trial rearing in 2 private facilities in 1996 (brine shrimp & suckers vs. biokyowa & fatheads)
Al Chamberlain able to meet target of 500 7” fingerlings with biokyowa & fatheads
Rearing contracts with Chamberlain’s Fish Culture Services for remainder of project
Target production of 2000 fall fingerlings per year for six years