|
| Three generations of the Hallihan family have won in the MSA art contest |
Art Contest
For over 50 years MSA has conducted school contests, promoting salmon conservation, fun on the river and the
importance of a clean environment. The contest is divided into three separate contests for the best poster,
handwriting/writing contest and short story/poem. Each year we receive over 500 entries
from approximately ten different schools in the Miramichi Watershed.
Poster topics included the life cycle of the salmon, fishing flies, fishing on the Miramichi, and predators and prey
of salmon. There are also many stories and poems on students fishing experiences and the life experiences
of a salmon.
Fish Friends
Fish friends is the name of an integrated education program on fish and conservation for elementary grades in Atlantic
Canada run through the Atlantic Salmon Federation. It includes the curriculum supplement, classroom incubation units to raise
salmonid eggs and a trilogy of short adventure stories.
Fish Friends is based around the theme of understanding,
respecting and protecting freshwater and anadromous fish, their habitat, and all the other creatures that live there. In other
words, the students and teachers are encouraged to be fish friends. There is also a strong emphasis on developing science
and math skills.
Fish Friends includes classroom activities, outdoor activities, instructions for incubation and
connected activities, interesting and sometimes funny fact sheets, blackline masters, and a useful resources section complete
with names and numbers of community groups. A central component of the package is the incubation of salmon eggs in the classroom.
Each class is provided with a large aquarium and accessories, a cooling unit, and fertilized fish eggs. Local industries and
conservation groups sponsor the program. The Miramichi Salmon Association, through the Miramichi Salmon Conservation
Centre, provides eggs to schools in the Miramichi region and eastern New Brunswick. Upon emergence and swim-up in the spring,
students, parents and teachers can make a field trip to release the young fish in a local stream or hatchery.
Fish
Friends was developed under the Atlantic Salmon Federation's Education and Public Awareness Program (EPAP). The EPAP program
promotes grassroots participation in restoring the clean waters and abundant recreational fish stocks of Atlantic Canada.
The audience for the program is everyone, but specifically young people, native communities, community groups and in particular,
schools.
For further Information contact the Atlantic Salmon Federation, St. Andrews, N.B. 506 529 1072 or
the Miramichi Salmon Conservation Centre, South Esk, N.B. 506 622 1781.
Hatchery Tours
The
MSA staff offers free tours for schools or other non-profit groups through the Miramichi Salmon Conservation Centre (MSCC).
Participants learn about the history of the MSCC, the life cycle of the Atlantic salmon, raising salmon and trout in
the hatchery and the importance of conservation on our river. Tours are also available
during fall to observe spawning.
|
| Large greenhouse used for grow-out |
|
| School group at the MSCC |
|
| Early rearing building |
