Wayne Baker, known locally as “the Gaspereau Man,” has been a dedicated observer of gaspereau fish in Fredericton Junction for over 70 years. Every day in May and June, he can be found along the Oromocto River, tracking the fish population.
Gaspereau, which consists of alewives and blueback herring, are considered a vital “keystone species” by Baker and the Oromocto Watershed Association. These fish play a crucial role in transferring ocean nutrients inland and supporting local plant and wildlife populations.
While commercial fishermen mostly catch gaspereau for lobster bait due to their bony structure, Baker enjoys preparing and consuming them in various ways. He meticulously records the number of gaspereau migrating upriver to assess the species’ well-being.
In recent years, the federal Fisheries Department made alterations to the management of gaspereau at the Mactaquac Dam, leading to a significant increase in the number of fish successfully navigating past the dam for spawning. This adjustment received positive feedback from Baker and local fishermen like Mathieu Cormier.
Cormier, with his extensive experience in gaspereau fishing, emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between allowing more fish past the dam and ensuring the sustainability of downstream populations. He advocates for the implementation of a fish ladder at the dam to reduce fish mortality caused by turbine passage.
Both Baker and Cormier share a common goal of preserving the gaspereau species, recognizing its significance to local ecosystems and Indigenous communities. The decision to enhance fish passage at the Mactaquac Dam has been lauded as a positive step towards species conservation and research efforts.