Smallmouth bass update for Piper Lake, St. Mary’s River System

The following was received from Al McNeill (NS Fisheries & Aquaculture) on July 29, 2020.

“Gentlemen; 

It’s been some time since I have provided you with and update on the Piper Lake smallmouth bass eradication project. We are trying to work on the components of this complex project is the sequence they need to be addressed. I apologize for not keeping you up to date on our Piper Lake efforts lately, I’m attaching a presentation which serves as an update. Some of the information attached is background; you are well aware of the problems we face from aquatic invasive species.

Our goals remain the same: 1) Containment, 2) Control and targeted removals, 3) eradication. This has, and will take the collective efforts of several provincial and federal government departments and yourselves, the ASF, NSSA, SMRA, and the NSFAH. We have made good progress on containment and control, we believe eradication is possible with continued effort; in light of this early detection and very limited area SMB have been detected.     

Key events that have occurred since we suspended field operations last year in December after we removed the pumps are:

Application to DFO for AIS regulation, application to apply a fish toxicant submitted

Application to NS Environment for Pesticide application permit submitted

Formal Consultation with the Mi’kmaq initiated, one meeting held

Continued maintenance of containment of small mouth bass in Piper Lake

Monitoring and continued removals of smallmouth bass – four spawning sites detected in May, hence confirmation that extensive removals of several hundred smallmouth bass last year was not enough.

Secured supplier of Rotenone; purchased equipment related to Rotenone application on the lake

Developed monitoring and post treatment recovery plan for aquatic species and wildlife with Lands & Forestry Biologists.

We are now gearing up for a public consultation as required by the Provincial Pesticides regulations.  Our intent, if we receive the required permits, is to apply the Rotenone in mid-September.

Keep in  mind we do not have our Federal permit yet; we are waiting for further communications from DFO early next week, after the recent Mi’kmaq consultations.

Our Provincial permit review by NS Environment is almost complete.

I’m happy to schedule a virtual meeting (or conference call) if you would like clarification on any of the information provided here.

I will try to provide updates more frequently as the process proceeds.

Sincerely, 

Al

Alan McNeill

Director
NS Fisheries & Aquaculture             
Inland Fisheries Division

PO Box 700                                       
91 Beeches Rd.                                 
Pictou, NS, CAN   B0K 1H0

Phone: (902) 485-7024

Fax: (902) 485-4014

Mobile: (902) 396-6978

Email: Alan.McNeill@novascotia.ca”