Wildlife Resources

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CBPP goes Electrofishing; Paper Company, DFO and SPAWN work together

Little Grand Lake Pine Marten Study Area

Upper Humber Wildlife Stewardship Area

Wildlife resources are a fundamental part of our Newfoundland lifestyle and environment.  Corner Brook Pulp and Paper is committed to maintaining the diversity of wildlife habitat.  Twenty-two mammal species, more than sixty species of birds, and four amphibian species make their home in the forest managed by the Company.  In addition, Atlantic salmon and brook trout spawn in the rivers flowing from our forest lands.

Timber harvesting and associated forest management activities influence wildlife in a variety of ways.  Many species such as moose, snowshoe hare and grouse thrive in the early successional stages of a forest after a harvesting operation, while species such as pine marten and boreal owls require over mature forests.  In addition, some species are adapted to the interior of the forest and favor large contiguous forest stands.  Whether in clear-cut or in no-cut areas, animals thriving in our forest provide opportunities for hunting, trapping, and wildlife viewing.

The Cook's Marsh area, situated at the headwaters of Serpentine Brook, is a cooperative effort between Ducks Unlimited and Corner Brook Pulp and Paper. 

Development of the Marsh began in 1983 with the construction of a water control structure which maintains a constant water level in the wetland area upstream, enriching habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife. The structure also contains a fish way to allow passage of fish through the structure.

More recently, a walking trail has been constructed around a section of the Marsh to provide wildlife viewing for visitors to the area.  The trail was developed and constructed by Ducks Unlimited, Corner Brook Pulp and Paper and the Newfoundland and Labrador Conservation Corps' Green Team.

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In 1996, spring floods washed out a bridge and changed the course of a North Branch, Codroy River tributary.  Once all the necessary permits were obtained from DFO and the Department of Environment (Water Resources Division), the bridge reconstruction began.  Upon completion of the bridge, the present stream had to be realigned to its original channel.  This was accomplished using an excavator to dredge the original channel which was completely filled in with debris.  Since the present stream bypassed the original location, all this work was undertaken in the "dry", preventing any siltation into the main river.

Following the stream realignment, hundreds of juvenile salmonoids became isolated in small pockets along the dewatered section.  Al Pitcher, Area Habitat Co-ordinator with Federal Fisheries suggested that a joint effort between Corner Brook Pulp and Paper, Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Salmon Preservation Association for the Waters of Newfoundland (SPAWN) be undertaken to capture and relocate the fish.

An agreement was reached that myself, Al Pitcher and Keith Piercey (SPAWN Vice- President) would run the project using SPAWN's electrofishing unit.

WHAT IS ELECTROFISHING?

Basically, electrofishing is a method wherein fish are briefly stunned with an electric charge so they can be captured for study or relocation.  Once the fish are immobilized, they are scooped up with fine mesh nets and placed in a pail of water to recover, before being studied or released.  Mortality can be very low providing it is done correctly.  In our case we lost just eight fish out of 552.

The stream was e-fished in 50 meter segments separated by barrier nets to isolate each area.  The downstream net was moved above the upstream net as each segment was finished.  This ensured we would capture as many fish as possible.

Our final count was 356 juvenile salmon (including some silvered smelts) and 196 trout - mostly juveniles.  All were released back into the main tributary to continue their existence.

At the end of the day we all felt the project was a success.  We left with a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction knowing we had done our small part to ensure the survival of the species.  It was a welcomed change to actually carry out a joint hands -on project between CBPP, DFO and a special interest group like SPAWN, instead of discussing environmental issues across a table.  I think we all came out of the day with a greater understanding and appreciation of the work we each perform.  And who knows, in the future one of us may hook and battle one of those 356 released salmon or one of their offspring!

Special thanks must go to Al Pitcher, who provided the tailgate cuisine for the day.  He kept us well fed with his specialty, Bologna Stew by the barrel.

  Barry Elkins

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Newfoundland Pine Marten

The Wildlife reserve, designated as such under the Wildlife Act, is located at the base of the Northern Peninsula, approximately 10 kilometers southwest of White Bay in the Upper Humber and Adies River watersheds.  The area is the most productive waterfowl habitat on the Island of Newfoundland.  Other species such as caribou, moose, brook trout and salmon benefit significantly as a result of this habitat improvement project.

For more information on Wildlife Resourcest download section 6 on our FMPOPs page

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