Save Our Char Committee ...

 


INTRODUCTION TO THE SAVE OUR CHAR COMMITTEE (SOCC)

The Save our Char committee was developed in the fall of 2007 out of concern for the significant decline of Arctic Char in the Pistolet Bay area. The committee was originally formed in 1982 but had been dormant over the years until the committee members observed a large decline in the Arctic Char stock.

The committee is concerned that this small unique population of Arctic Char may become extinct. In response, they wanted to start the process of getting this decline reversed before it was too late to save these fish.

The committee partnered with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Nordic Economic Development Corporation, SABRI, CURRA, MUN, and the Department of Natural Resources – Forestry & Wildlife Division to develop a plan to address the committees concerns. The 5 Year Strategic Recovery Plan was completed in consultation with all these groups.

The mandate of the SOCC is “To protect, preserve and enhance the unique local population of Sea Run Arctic Char, Atlantic Salmon and Sea Trout in the Pistolet Bay area through promotion of education, scientific study and public awareness for present and future generations to enjoy.”
The SOCC has a mission that it to be carried out over the next 5 years. By 2014, the Save Our Char Committee will have stimulated environmental stewardship through detailed research on fish stocks at Parkers River (Western Brook). This will be accomplished through the promotion of conservation, cooperation and consultation. Over this time frame there are 5 main goals that are to be met. There include; Counting Fence, Depth Survey, Heads Collection Program, Underwater Camera and Voluntary Hook and Release Program. Right now the Underwater Camera is in place and had been up and running since July 2009. Also, last year there were some heads collected and those people who submitted them, their names went into a draw. The winners include; Perry Brown, 1st place winner, Jamie Reardon, 2nd place winner, and Earnest Simms, 3rd place winner. Prizes consisted of donations from SOCC Partnerships. Thanks to those who participated and thanks to our partners for their donations.

The 5 Year Strategic Recovery Plan can be read in detail by clicking the link below:

(Five-Year Strategic Recovery Plan Link)

 



Almosalar

Atlantic Salmon


Atlantic Salmon is found in the northern Atlantic Ocean and rivers that flow into the north Atlantic and also found in the north Pacific, but this is due to human introduction. Atlantic Salmon are born in freshwater rivers and remain there until it undergoes a physiological change that allows it to tolerate saltwater. After it has been at sea for 1-3 years, it returns to the river that it was reared in to reproduce.

The colouration of young Atlantic salmon does not resemble their adult stage. While they live in freshwater they have blue and red spots. While they mature they take on a silver blue sheen. When they are adults the easiest way of identifying them is by the black spots predominantly above the lateral line, although its caudal fin is usually unspotted. When they reproduce males take on a slight green or red colouration.
 


Salvelinus alpinus

Arctic Char 

Arctic Char is found more northerly than any other fresh water fish. The char population found in Parker’s River (Western Brook), is the only sea run char population found on the insular portion of the province. Other char populations on the island are land-locked (freshwater) and are smaller is size compared to the sea-run char.

The colour of the fish varies depending on where it spends it time. Sea-run adults are commonly deep blue or blue-green over the back, shading to glistening silver on the sides and white over the belly. Breeding fish both sea-run and land locked exhibit brilliant red colouration on the side, underparts and lower fins.
 


Salvelinus fontinalis 

Brook Trout 

Brook Trout is native to eastern North America and is Atlantic Canada’s common trout. Brook trout is densely distributed throughout the Atlantic Provinces and also on / around offshore islands. Many populations of brook trout migrate to sea but return to the rivers to breed, much like its relative, the Arctic Char.

The appearance of adult brook trout in fresh water varies depending on where it is (its surroundings) and the age / sex or the fish. The back is green to dark brown or even almost black. Its caudal fin is almost completely square and the back and dorsal fin are marked with many wavy lines (virmictulations). The sides have red spots that are surrounded with bluish halos. The front edges of the lower fins are black with white borders. Sea-run brook trout are silvery when they return from sea and thus losing many of their identifying markings but, this white leading edge on the lower fins remains.