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The Gander River Management Association works hands on in the field to ensure quality community watershed managementBelow you will find documents pertaining to such Activities.
2001 Anglers Survey Results 
2001 Redd Survey Report
2002 FIELD INITIATIVES
Acoustic Counting Study
Spawning Ground Mapping (n.w.Gander)
Biological Sampling
Gander River Anglers Map
REDD Survey
Incubation Unit to support in-school education programs
In-school conservation talks
Rest Areas
Marketing
2004 UPDATE:
These are some of the initiatives that we hope to do this year. Membership fees collected will be invested in these and other initiatives.
- Partner with DFO in a Compliance Monitoring Program that will see GRMA staff directly involved in enforcement to further protect our valuable fish stocks.
- Continue to assess the salmon returns to Salmon Brook.
- Collect scale samples and other information from salmon retained by anglers.
- Conduct an annual spawning survey (Redd survey)
- Partner with Inland Fish and Wildlife to research trout populations in the Jonathons system
- Continue our work in salmon management, forest and land use management, safe boating, and water quality.
COMPLIANCE MONITORING PROGRAM
Final Report
A joint project agreement between DFO Conservation and Protection branch and the Gander River Management Association was signed on July 2,2004. The agreement allowed five (5) GRMA staff to be designated as Fishery Guardians under the Federal Fisheries Act.
Duties: The five GRMA Compliance Monitors were employed from July 4th to Oct. 8th, 2004. Three of the employees were aboriginal youth who were Guardians last year but because of cutbacks with the guardian contract, they were displaced. Under an HRSDC program they were hired by GRMA. Employees were responsible for day time patrols of the entire Gander River watershed area including NW and SW Gander Rivers and all other tributaries. Compliance Monitors were given limited enforcement powers that allowed them to carry out routine patrols consisting of angler license checks, gear checks, tags, and bag/cooler inspections. They were not allowed to conduct searches, nor were they allowed to seize vehicles or vessels. Compliance Monitors were allowed to seize such items as rods and reels, gear, and any fish retained illegally. Low risk surveillance activities were also conducted as well as joint patrols with DFO Fishery Officers and the contract Guardians. Sampling of anglers retained fish was also done, as well as public relations/education and the removal of garbage and other debre. Obstruction removals were also initiated. Weekly communications with DFO Twillingate also took place during the time period and a good working relationship with detachment staff was developed.
Results: As a result of this initiative, over 246 anglers were checked. Of those checked, 14 violations were detected. Of these, six (6) charges were laid under both the Federal Fisheries Act and the Provincial Wildlife Act. The violations consisted of the following;
8 violations regarding the use of a barbed hook. All were given written warnings.
1 charge of fishing salmon without a license
1 charge for retaining a large salmon in excess of 63cm.
1 charge for an untagged salmon
1 charge for using gear other than fly ( individual was using spinner and worm)
1 charge for obstruction– (individual disposed of spinner in water after a C.M. advised him not to)
1 charge for obstruction - ( not allowing a bag inspection)
Court date for all charged to enter a plea is Oct 20th in Gander Court.
As a result of this initiative, there was much pleasure expressed from the general public - both anglers and non anglers. We received many great comments for not only showing that we were doing our job, but these people were happy just to see enforcement presence on our waters. Day time enforcement is a must!
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