Warm water again forces closure of Miramichi River salmon pools to fishing

Salmon pools on the Miramichi River system are closed to anglers for the second time this summer.

The closure, announced by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, covers 32 salmon pools and went into effect Thursday. The restrictions will remain in effect until conditions approve, the DFO release said.

Under the agency's warm water temperature protocol, pool fishing is closed when temperatures reach a certain threshold. Salmon pools are deep parts of the river where salmon take refuge in colder water during high temperatures.

"Salmon are cold water fish. In warmer water, they become weaker and have more difficulty recovering after being caught and released," the DFO's website says.

Since 2015, Atlantic salmon fishing in the region has been mandatory catch and release.

"Restricting the fishery during these periods reduces the stress caused by fishing to increase their chances of survival."

All types of fishing is closed in the pools under warm water protocol so that salmon are not accidentally caught.

"This year we're faced with warm temperatures for late June and early July, so that in combination with low water levels in various rivers triggers a warm water protocol," said Butch Dalton, president of the Miramichi Salmon Association.

He said when water temperatures hit 20 degrees, a committee made up of members of DFO, the province and various stakeholders meets to determine if the warm water protocol should come into force.

"You don't want to be out there fishing for salmon when you jeopardize them by catching them and releasing them," Dalton said, adding that most anglers are happy to support conservation measures to help the fish survive.

"By just leaving them alone with the cold water refuge to escape the heat, it really does a service for salmon in general. It's a protection measure for them."

But even if anglers are happy to abide by the closure, Dalton acknowledged the challenge it brings to local outfitters.

"It has an impact on the lodges for sure, because people come here to fish salmon. But that's just the way it goes, we have to just respect these warm water protocols," Dalton said.