Image: View of the Margaree River, in Nova Scotia, in the fall.
Photo credits: Michael Fabiano
The Margaree River in Nova Scotia to this day remains the bustling and lively place that earned it its Canadian Heritage River status in the first place. While aspects of climate change are impacting the river each year, notably with issues of drought in summer and flood conditions in spring and fall, the river’s stewardship by local organizations is significant. These numerous groups showcase the history of the region, promote recreation, and engage in river improvement activities.
The Margaree Salmon Association (MSA) is a not-for-profit organization based in the Margaree watershed, with the stated goal of conserving, protecting, and enhancing Atlantic salmon, Brook trout, and their habitat on the Margaree River. They have been doing so since 1982. Some of the conservation activities they undertake annually include temperature logger deployments, habitat suitability assessments, water quality testing, salmon swim throughs, invasive species monitoring, and salmon and trout juvenile abundance monitoring. MSA also promotes research in the watershed by helping field sampling with partner universities. This past summer, MSA assisted two Masters researchers from Dalhousie University, two Masters researchers, and a PhD researcher from the University of Windsor. MSA also engages in river and community improvement projects including installing river restoration structures like digger logs, improving walkways for anglers to popular fishing pools and maintaining the signage around the river. Since 2019 the group has overseen over $600,000 worth of work on the river.
Image: Members of the Margaree Salmon Association, Cheticamp River Salmon Association, and Atlantic Salmon Federation conducting an electrofishing survey on a tributary to the Margaree River.
Photo credit: Michael Fabiano
Since 2023, the Margaree Salmon Museum (MSM) has taken over responsibility for the Margaree Lake Ainslie Canadian Heritage River designation. The MSM, a community museum which began in 1965, is a charitable organization devoted to showcasing the history of the Margaree River, its people, and its culture of angling.
This past September, the Margaree Salmon Association partnered with the Margaree Salmon Museum to put on a World Rivers Day event at the museum grounds. The goal of the event was to promote and celebrate our amazing river. The event was well attended, with over 100 people stopping by, and included activities for all ages including bouncy castles, touch tanks, and educational programming for children, learn to fly fish demonstrations, and music for the adults, as well as free food and a cake for all to enjoy! Numerous organizations were present with booths to showcase the work they do on the Margaree River and others like it, including the Nova Scotia Salmon Association, Margaree Rivers Association, ACAP Cape Breton, Atlantic Salmon Federation, and XOceans. The MSA and MSM hope to make this a yearly event to celebrate the incredible river we live, play, and work around.
Image: MLA Kyle MacQuarrie giving a talk at the World Rivers Day celebration.
Photo credit: Michael Fabiano
Thanks to all of these incredible groups focused on protecting and promoting the Margaree River and the surrounding area, the Margaree continues to be a place people are drawn to and will continue to be for generations to come. If you are ever in Cape Breton, be sure to stop by our beautiful Canadian Heritage River!