LE3 .A278 2022

2022

Stokesbury, Michael

Acadia University

Master of Science

Masters

Biology

Biology

Widespread decline in American eel/katew (Anguilla rostrata) abundance has occurred in recent decades due to habitat fragmentation, changing marine conditions, and over-harvesting. American eel is a culturally and economically significant species, whose health and future in the Bay of Fundy/Pekwitapa’qek is of concern for everyone living in Atlantic Canada/Mi’kma’ki. There are few studies describing how American eel use Minas Basin, a highly productive, macrotidal area of the inner Bay of Fundy. My research, guided by Two-Eyed Seeing and in collaboration with diverse knowledge holders, explores the distribution and coastal movements of American eel in Minas Basin using acoustic telemetry. Results reveal the diverse habitats, residencies, and movement patterns of American eel in Minas Basin, with evidence of selective tidal stream transport. Network analysis indicates importance of river mouths for movement and suggests breaks in connectivity at these areas may have disproportionate impacts on local eel. This information provides knowledge for predicting impacts on local components of the eel population and provides an example of partners from diverse knowledge systems working towards co-stewardship.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3729