AMEC released 133 smolts in the Little River including 13 smolts equipped with transmitters and 113 smolts in the Pollett River including 13 smolts equipped with transmitters. DFO also released approximately 500 pregrilses (4 lb) in the Little River including 4 pregrilse equipped with transmitters. AMEC will be continually monitoring the smolt and grilse migration with the six stationary receivers that are in place at Salisbury, Boundary Creek, Turtle Creek, the causeway, and downstream of the gates (2 receivers here). On May 20, 2003, AMEC will go to the upper-most stationary receiver at Salisbury to see how many fish have passed this point. If they see that a significant number of fish have passed the Salisbury receiver, they will contact Department of Fisheries and Ocean so that they can begin an impoundment (headpond) draw down that evening. If very few fish have passed Salisbury, AMEC will go to each stocking site with the mobile receiver to see if any fish have started migrating. If so, the team will canoe downstream to monitor their progress with the mobile unit.

  Smolts in hatchery tank at the Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility

  Individual smolt being anaesthetized in a bucket

  Weighing anaesthetized smolt prior to its being implanted with tag

  Vemco hydroacoustic tag with pencil to provide scale

  Tag implant surgery

  Closing incision following surgery