MIRAMICHI WATERSHED MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE INC.

Background 

The management of fisheries on the Miramichi has historically been the responsibility of the federal government with some secondary regulatory responsibilities in the province. Jurisdictional responsibilities have generated friction between both levels of government over the years on various issues. Until recently, input into the management of fisheries by the local citizenry had no formal mechanism. It had largely been individual representation or representation through a number of conservation organizations like the MSA. 

Community Based Watershed Management 

The concept of watershed management emerged in the 1980's in respect to Atlantic salmon management in Canada as a viable means of controlling harvests of these diadromous fish. The concept was that all harvests of wild Atlantic salmon stocks would be limited (as much as possible) to the river systems in which they originated. 

The watershed was intended to be the primary determinant of salmon management. 

More recently, the concept of community management of fisheries has evolved to the point that the federal government had put before the House of Commons legislation to specifically allow for a community management of fisheries. This concept basically would allow communities to have a definite management role in any particular fishery. The formalization of this concept is exercised by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The model is harder to apply in a sport fishery context with split jurisdictions between the provincial government and federal government with some of the old federal/provincial jurisdictional issues coming to the fore. 

Nonetheless, the Miramichi Watershed Management Committee Inc. was formed in the mid 1990's to be a vehicle to allow for community input (to one degree or another) in the management of fisheries resources on the Miramichi. Its current objectives are: 

(a) to promote the conservation and enhancement and wise use of fish and other related resources in the Miramichi Watershed; 

(b) to provide advice and consultation to all levels and government and all others on matters pertaining to the Miramichi Watershed and its fisheries; 

(c) to educate the public and to carry on public awareness programs promoting the Miramichi Watershed and its water based resources; 

(d) to assume all management responsibility and functions that government, riparian owners, or others may delegate or confer upon it in respect to the Miramichi Watershed; 

(e) to foster and promote open communication and cooperation between all users of the Miramichi Watershed; 

(f) to attempt to mediate and resolve conflict between members, users and others in respect to issues or problems related to the Miramichi Watershed; 

(g) to lobby government in respect to any and all issues; 

(h) to protect and preserve and enhance fish habitat on the Miramichi Watershed; 

(i) to establish, receive and maintain a fund or funds and apply from time to time all or part thereof and/or the income therefrom for the above stated purposes or other like charitable purposes. 

Membership

Heath Steele Mines - Representatives: Mike Patterson/David Scott - fax: 623-4789 

Bowater Pulp & Paper Inc. - Representative: Manley Price - fax: 369-7443 

Red Bank First Nation - Representatives: Toni Paul/Michael Augustine - fax: 836-7593 

Eel Ground First Nation - Representative: Steve Ginnish - fax: 627-4605 

Miramichi Salmon Association - Representatives: Vincent Swazey - fax: 369-7498 

Grant Ross - fax: 369-7406 

Burnt Church First Nation - Representative: Ronald Summerville - fax: 776-1214 

Miramichi Pulp and Paper - Representative: William Donald - fax: 622-5702 

Miramichi Salmon Museum - Representative: Wes Myles - fax: 365-7359 

J.D. Irving Ltd. - Representatives: Winston Clowater/Joe Gushue - fax: 365-7309 

White Rapids Brook and Other Streams Enhancement Association - Representatives: Norman Stewart/Margaret Furlong 

Miramichi Guides Association - Representative: Donald O'Donnell 

New Brunswick Outfitters Association Inc. - Representative: Alex Mills - fax: 365-7134 

Miramichi Angling Adventures Inc. - Representative: Keith Wilson - fax: 365-7106 

Miramichi Headwaters Association - Representatives: Frank MacDonald/Dean Crabbe - fax: 246-8298 

Tabusintac Fish and Game - Representatives: Ron MacKnight/Mike Savoie - fax: 779-8149 

Northumberland Salmon Protective Association - Representatives: Bruce Whipple/Debbie Norton - fax: 836-7002 

Juniper Lumber - Representatives: David O'Keefe/Wayne McCarthy - fax: 246-1412 

New Brunswick Salmon Council - Representative: Debbie Norton - fax: 836-7002 

Miramichi Fisheries Management - Representative: Mark Hambrook - fax: 622-6111 

Executive

President: William Donald 
Vice President: Manley Price 
Secretary: Alex Mills 
Treasurer: Vincent Swazey 

The Watershed Committee actively participates in the management of the river through various consultations with government. To this point it has no formalized authority but does play a vital role in the management of fisheries including the operation of the oldest hatchery in Canada. For further information e-mail us at rivergreen@nb.aibn.com. 

Copyright © 2000 Alex Mills.