Wayne Baker, known as the “Gaspereau Man,” has been monitoring gaspereau populations along the Oromocto River in Fredericton Junction for over seven decades. Gaspereau, consisting of alewives and blueback herring, play a crucial role as a “keystone species,” transferring nutrients from the ocean inland and sustaining local ecosystems.
Commercially caught gaspereau are mainly used as lobster bait due to their high bone content, making them less popular for recreational fishing. However, Baker enjoys preparing and consuming them by brining, maple syrup coating, and smoking them in his smokehouse.
Baker’s daily observations help track the migration patterns of gaspereau, providing valuable insights into the species’ well-being. Recent changes in transporting gaspereau over the Mactaquac Dam have significantly increased the number of fish reaching their spawning grounds, with over 4.1 million fish passing the dam last year.
While these changes have been positively received by individuals like Baker, concerns remain about the impact on downstream populations and the lack of fish passage infrastructure, such as a fish ladder, at the dam. Mathieu Cormier, a long-time gaspereau fisherman, supports the removal of restrictions on gaspereau passage but advocates for measures to minimize fish mortality during their journey through the dam turbines.
Cormier’s fishing operations on the Oromocto River yield significant gaspereau harvests, with a portion used for lobster bait and the remainder processed for international distribution, including to Haiti. Despite differing views on certain fishing practices, Cormier and Baker share a common goal of ensuring the sustainability of the gaspereau species.
The decision to increase gaspereau passage over the dam has been hailed as a positive development by stakeholders like Patty Savoy, who emphasizes the species’ cultural and ecological significance for First Nations communities. Gaspereau’s importance in traditional practices and resource utilization underscores the necessity of preserving their populations for future generations.
