Often these areas are not considered important for aquatic life but they are the best places to fish eels. Land activities, such as subdivision developments, can affect water by acting as a source of sediments that make blue water brown when it rains.

In Eskasoni, an important eel fishing and overwintering area was on the receiving end of sediments. UINR’s Tyson Paul recalls how brown the water would be after a light rainfall.  “We expect to see large volumes of brown, sediment-laden water after very heavy rainfalls,” he explained, “but we were seeing this even after showers.”

Sediments settle out of the water and can smother life on the bottom. Eel grass gets buried and fish gills become clogged. Aquatic plants can’t produce oxygen because sunlight doesn’t reach them. While eels like the soft bottom to burrow, their prey doesn’t. If there is no food for the eels, there will be no eels in the area.

In the fall of 2010, UINR met with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Nova Scotia Environment to discuss ways to fix the problem. In March 2011, 315 metres of ditch was re-created and lined with rock. To prevent flooding and uptake of sediments from the road, five culverts were re-aligned and one was replaced. Two outlets of riprap were created to help slow down the flow of water. The remediation was successful. It was found that the lining reduced sediments by 98% during light rainfall events.

UINR works with communities to promote practices that encourage people to be kind to nature. Shelley Denny is UINR’s Biologist and Research Coordinator. She believes that change is necessary. “Our actions on land are harming the beauty and quality of our water. After it rains, it takes longer for brown water to become clear and longer for eel fishers to put food on the table. Our actions affect our traditional way of life. To maintain traditional fishing areas, we need to change how we do things on land.”

The project is a model of how to do things differently in our community and make a positive affect on water quality. Funding was provided through Environment Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program.

shelley.denny@uinr.ca

Area before remediation

We would appreciate if you would take a few minutes to help.

Every participating household will be entered in a draw to win a $500.00 gift card from Eskasoni Supermarket!

Wela’lioq

For more information contact Tyson Paul: tyson@uinr.ca

Since 2009 UINR and Fisheries and Oceans Canada has monitored sites around the Bras d’ Or Lakes using protocols developed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Long-term monitoring of fish and crustacean species, water temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen profiles, vegetation and quality of sediment samples helps us determine if changes in the aquatic community structure are taking place, identify the cause, and take action to mitigate any negative impacts.

Click here to see the schedule for this summer’s sessions. CAMP Schedule

For more information contact shelley.denny@uinr.ca

photo by Carol Kennedy

Ask Heather Green about Kluskap’s Cave and prepare yourself to be transported to another time and place…a place where giants roamed the earth with powers that make today’s super heroes look weak by comparison. What is this fourth-year history major at CBU doing? Heather is working on an internship research project for UINR with our partners Parks Canada and Cape Breton University.

Heather’s research of literature on Kluskap brought her to manuscripts from the early 1850s in which missionary Silas T. Rand’s first written account of Mi’kmaq creation legends appears. She followed the thread of history to more contemporary accounts of Kluskap and his relationship between the Mi’kmaq people and the land. Heather explains, “We are looking at the overall cultural landscape of Kluskap’s Cave and what makes this area significant to the Mi’kmaq and how it encapsulates Mi’kmaq world-view.

“This is a project that means something to a lot of people. For me it has led to a new respect for the landscape, an understanding of how the traditional use of the land was reflected in Kluskap’s legends and influenced how people hunt, fish, gather and migrate.”

Kluskap’s Cave is located at Cape Dauphin on Kluskap (Kelly’s) Mountain. The trail to the “Fairy Hole” is not difficult for the average hiker, but there are challenges including a 100 foot descent to the mountain stream. Follow the trail to the stream and follow the stream to the shore. When you get to the beach you can see Bird Islands and Kluskap’s Cave. The cave is difficult to get into, so unless you are a seasoned climber you might prefer to sit outside on the rocks and have a picnic. If you do decide to scale the slippery rocks to the cave’s opening–be careful.

photo by Paul Weinberg

Kluscap was sent by the Creator as a friend for the Mi’kmaq people. He lived at Cape Dauphin and one day two women laughed at him from the shore. Kluscap jumped from his canoe breaking it into two pieces, known today as Bird Islands. He turned the two women to stone, the stone pillars now guarding his cave. The cave was Kluskap’s last home on earth before he left to the sky world. He lived there with his Grandmother,The Bear Woman, and a young man, Pine Marten. Kluscap’s many skills included his ability to disguise himself so that he could involve himself in a situation in order to teach a lesson in morals or values.

We are looking for ideas from youth, Elders and everyone in between.Share your views on how to protect the Bras d’Or Lakes and the rivers and streams in the Wagmatcook community.

Drop in Wednesday March 30, 2011 anytime from 2 to 7 pm at the Wagmatcook Culture and Heritage Centre.

Food and beverages provided.

For more information please contact

Angela Morris 379-2369 angela@uinr.ca

or Shelley Denny 379-2022 shelley.denny@uinr.ca

For more information please contact Angela Morris 379-2369 angela@uinr.ca or Shelley Denny 379-2022 shelley.denny@uinr.ca

What better way to spend a summer day?!

In hip waders and with pens and paper in hand, Mi’kmaq technicians and scientists from Eskasoni, Membertou and Potlotek received Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network (CABIN) training and certification by Environment Canada this summer.

CABIN assesses the condition of rivers. It is a national program for determining the biological health of Canada’s fresh water.

A long-term monitoring program for six rivers in the Bras d’Or Lakes watershed begins this fall.

Funding for training by Maritime and Northeast Pipeline.

Chiefs and Councils passed resolutions that community members must contact the Band Council and obtain written permission before clearing or using any unencumbered Band land.

These booklets feature illustrations by Potlotek resident Chris Andrews and are written by UINR biologist and research coordinator Shelley Denny and Tyson Paul with the assistance of community members and organizations.

Clean water is essential to survival of kataq eels. It is habitat for many different plants and animals like plamu salmon,kaqpesaw smelt, atoqwa’su trout, mntmu oysters and kaspe’laq gaspereau.

Fish habitat is protected by law. We all have a part to play in fish habitat conservation and protection. It is important we use our land properly. Our actions affect the Bras d’Or Lakes and other rivers, ponds and lakes. We are all connected.

These booklets show what you can do to protect these special places.

UINR is sending a booklet to every household in Potlotek, Eskasoni and Waycobah and extra copies are available at our office in Eskasoni or at uinr.ca

The illustrations on this page show:
When approaching land, lift outboard motors and land boats in areas with less eel grass. Eel grass is important to many fish species, including eels.

Show ways to protect aquatic habitat to the next generation by example.

Leave a naturally occurring 20 m (66 ft) buffer zone of trees, shrubs, grass and groundcover to hold soil in place and minimize erosion. It protects water from accidental leaks from furnace oil, sewage, gas and oil.

Membertou Water Report

Potlotek Water Report

Wagmatcook Water Report

We’koqma’q Water Report