american eel report

Mawi apoqonmatultinej waqamnmu’g ula gm’tginu.Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq Resource Council

The First Nations Perspective on American Eel population in the Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec and Northern New Brunswick

Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Perceptions of American Eel Habitat in the Gespe’gewa’gi Mi’gmaq District

Lnu’g Ta’n Telins’tasultijig Ta’n Te’si’tij Ga’taq Gespe’gewa’gig, Ugpi’ganjig, WinpegijuigGjijitaqan Lnueiei Ugjit Ugs’tqamug Tle’l aq Ta’n Telins’tasimgl

Ga’te’ga’ti’l Gespe’gewa’gig

Gespe’gewa’gi ta’n ne’gaw Mi’gmewaq e’wumi’tij wejimaja’s’g Listugu’ji’jg tlapis ta’n we’guteg Gespe’gewa’gi. Gisgug ula

maqamigew eteg a’qataig Gepeg aq a’qataig “New Brunswick”. Gespe’gewa’gi na lluignegewei aq ta’n mawgi’g maqamigew Mi’gma’gig. Piamiw ta’pu pituiptnaqanipunqe’g gi’s eimu’tijig Mi’gmewaq ula maqamigeg. Mi’gmewaq etliwe’jitu’tip wilu’ow aq ta’n goqwei menuege’tij enm’jajigtug wegupegitgl, walne’l aq sipu’l. Pem gaqi siwgw gisna toqwa’q, na nqatmi’tital wigual ta’n etegl enmijajigtug aq pi’tawita’taq etlijijigtu’gweg sipu’l ta’n mawia’titaq ugjit loqte’galanew plamu’g aq ga’taq. Gaqi’sipunqe’g, gesgmnaq poqji wi’g’tim’geg, maljewejg gegnua’tut’pnig ta’n go-qwei gis tliaq a’tugwaqanigtug, gtapegiaqanigtug aq amalgewaqa-nigtug.

Mi’gmewaq ne’gaw gepmite’tmi’tip ms’t goqwei mimajig, ms’t goqwei ta’n wejisqaliaq maqamigeg aq ta’n te’si’tij wi’sisg. Mu negmow ajimawo’tu’tigup gisna ajigtantu’tigup aq ta’n tel nuta’tij mimaju’nsultinew. Gaqaw sa’se’was’g’p ta’n telolti’tij enmiaq gisi nenua’titeg Apaqtugewaq mimajuinu’g. Migmewaq amuj pana gwilmi’tip ta’n goqwei Apaqtugewaq menuege’titew sa’se’wultinew ugjit negmow msnmnew me’ piltue’l goqwe’l. Ta’n goqwei negla puatmi’tipnn na anguowe’l, jiagewjue’l, gi’gwesue’l, giwnige’l aq pjiliw gopitewe’l. Pugwelgig Mi’gmewaq naqtmi’tipnn wigual en-mijajigtug etegl aq maw ta’n telolti’tij ugjit gtantunew ugs’tqamug tle’l ta’n sa’se’wultitaq.

Gespe’gewa’gi

- � - Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Perceptions of American Eel Habitat in Gespe’gewa’gi

The traditional Mi’gmaq area of Gespe’gewa’gi extends from the Miramichi River to the tip of the Gaspe Peninsula. This

region now straddles the borders of modern day Quebec and New Brunswick. Gespe’gewa’gi is the seventh and largest district in the Mi’gmaw nation. The Mi’gmaq have been living in this land for at least two thousand years or more: “It was along the shores of the bays, coves and rivers that the Micmac found the greatest amount of food and other materials for their needs. In the late spring or fall, however they left their coastal homes to go upstream to nar-row places on the rivers where the community gathered to trap salmon and eels.” Over the centuries, before the pen and paper, history was passed down by spoken words, through songs and also through dance.

The Mi’gmaq believe that they came from a history of rituals and etiquette that respected the lives of plants and animals. They did not gather or hunt more than they needed to survive comfortably. Then as they encountered Europeans drastic changes began to happen. In order to trade for new items the Mi’gmaq had to find something that the Europeans wanted in return. This something was furs of mink, muskrat, otter and especially beaver. Many of the Mi’gmaq left their coastal homes and traditions to collect nat-ural resources for trade.

Ta’n Gi’s Geita’s’g

Background

Gi’s te’sipunqeg pemiaq, aq mimajuinu’g gaqi’sunemigsultijig ta’n pewgwiqatmu’tijig ugs’tqamug ap nige’ wesgutmi’tij ugjit ta’n tli gepmite’tesnug aq glo’t’tesnug ugs’tqamug tle’l. Nige’ nuta’q ginu Lnuulti’gw mlginewa’tunenu ta’n i’tlolti’gup ugjit gina’muanenu ms’t wenig ta’n tlimimajunsultitaq. Mu wen getu’ puna’tug ulo’qon. Gatu tali asgo’tmu’g ugs’tqamu ta’n telolti’gw? Ula wi’gatign weji lugwatas’g’p ugjit menaqa gnua’tugsinenu ta’n Mi’gmewaq ne’gaw telimgitelma’tij ga’tal telui’tut “Ameri-can Eel”.

Lnueiei mawio’mi teluisig Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq Resource Council gisipugua’tas’g’p 2007-eg. Ula etlugutijig gi’s gisaptmi’tij ugtlugowaqanuow ta’n tli apoqonmattaq lnue’gati’l. Agnuttaq ta’n giasgiw teliaq ugjit ulins’tas’gtn aq gwiltaq apoqonmati ugjit siawi gelo’tas’gtn ugs’tqamug tle’l glaman mlgignewa’tas’gt’tal aq ne’gaw tetal. GMRC nemitu’tij ta’n teligaqawi asogo’tas’g gm’tginu. Negmow getu’ niganua’tijig enmiaq wesgu’tas’g ugs’tqamug tle’l aq ta’n gm’tginug wetmite’tas’gl.

It is now many years later and cultures all over the world are again talking about sustainable practices and how to use natural resources with respect. We now need to strengthen our rituals and etiquette to teach everyone how to survive. No one wants to give up a comfortable lifestyle, but what cost do our lifestyles have on nature? The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to an im-portant relationship between the American Eel and the Mi’gmaw people.

A First Nations group called the Gespe’gewag Mi’gmaq Resource Council (GMRC) was formed in 2007. The vision of the organiza-tion is to assist First Nations communities by creating awareness, understanding and gathering support to further sustainable natu-ral resource management for the development of the resources. The GMRC wishes to respond to change in the environment and support the development of their communities while being a lead voice in addressing resources and environmental issues.

Gisgug Ta’n Teliaq

Present story

Gespe’gewag Mi’gmaq Resource Council

Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq Resource Council

- � -Ta’n Telnenas’gl Ga’te’gati’l Gespe’gewa’gig

Ga’taq ta’n telui’tujig “American Eel” pemitgliejig Ganataewa’gig aq Pastungewa’gig ta’n mnaq teli nmitas’gtnugus. Ms’t ga’taq ta’nig gaqigutijig newtsiniw etlisiga’la’tijig gta’n teluisig “Sar-gasso Sea”, je tlia’ tligaqiguti’tij wisgupoqigtug aq tg’poqigtug en-mijajigtug Ganataewa’gig aq Pastungewa’gig. Me’ gejigowjige’l, wegla ga’taq na gisite’tas’g’p ugjit pqoji maliaptasultinew. Na mawio’mi ta’nig niganpugu’tmi’tij,”Committee On The Status Of Endangered Wildlife In Canada” (COSEWIC) sespete’tmi’titl ta’n gisimaliaptas’gl toqo we’jitas’g gaqawitgliejig ga’taq “On-tario” aq Gepeg weja’tegemgeg 1970-eg.

* Pas’g newt siga’lat ga’t ta’n telipgitawsij

Ta’n Telins’tasultimgig Ga’taqThe American Eel population in central Canada and the USA is declining to levels never seen before. Although eels spend most of their adult lives in coastal and freshwaters in Canada and the USA, all mature eels breed at the same time in the Sargasso Sea. Recently, the American Eel was added as a species of Special Concern. The Committee On The Status Of Endangered Wildlife In Canada (COSEWIC) is concerned by recent studies that have shown a decrease in eel numbers in Ontario and Quebec as high as 99 percent since 1970s.

* Eels only breed once in their lifetime

Understanding The American Eel



The EggSomewhere in the Sargasso Sea the eggs are fertilized. They hatch in about one week. Hatching peaks in February and may continue until April.

The Larval Form (leptocephalus)When they hatch they are transparent, flat and shaped like a wil-low leaf. They are caught up in the Gulf Stream and drift west and north for 7 to 12 months.

The Glass Eel and The ElverWhen the larvae are about 200 days old, they reach the continen-tal shelf. At this time they change shape becoming elongated and start looking like an adult eel. When they start swimming into coastal waters around 255 days old, their pigmentation becomes darker. They now continue traveling up rivers and streams. At this point they still are not male or female. They remain as elvers for 3 to 12 months.

Ga’t “American Eel” UgtmimajuaqanmNijinjigNa’tami apaqtug “Sargasso Sea”, ga’taq tlisiga’la’titaq. Aqan-tie’wuti na we’gaw nijinjig panita’tij. Mesipugwelgig panita’jig tepgunset Apignajit aq gisi siaw panita’taq misoqo Penat-muigu’s.

GulpatgijGisi gtaqita’tij na saputiamugsultijig aq pepgijigultijig st’ge’ lmu’jminaqsiei nipi. Wito’gutijig ta’n etligsigawitg apaqtug, teluisig “Gulf Stream” aq lluigneg tepgunsejig misoqo newtipun-qeg pmto’gutitaq tgesnug tlapis oqwatnug.

Saputiam’tqasi’ji’jit Aq Ga’te’j Panaemg ta’pu gasg’ptnaqanugunolti’tij na peta’lugutitaq na’taqamtug ta’n mu teltemigtnug. Na tujiw pemi pittaqigutitaq aq poqji tliangamgusultitaq st’ge ta’n gi’s gaqigwet ga’t. Enmiaq poqjina’taqama’luguti’tij panaemg ta’pu gasg’ptnaqanuguna’q jel nanisgegiguna’q jel na’n na pmimqatawamugwita’jig. Na tujiw siawi pita’wa’lugutijig sipu’l aq sipu’ji’jl. Na tujiw me’ mu sgweme’gwgewigw gisna mu napeme’gwgewigw. Siaw ga’te’jewultitaq panaemg ne’s’sijig tepgunsejig misoqo newti-punqeg .

Life cycle of the American Eel

The Yellow EelOnce eel have reached their habitat they have a growth spurt and be-come yellow eels. The sex of an eel is decid-ed and influenced by eel population. If the population is high the yellow eel becomes a male. If the population is low the eel becomes female. Some yellow eel will continue up-stream to look for bet-ter habitat. Many eels that are found swimming to upper parts of the St Laurence river are already a few years old. Today in Canada it is said that 95% of the eels are female.

The Silver EelSilver eels are the mature breeding form of the American eel. As the yellow eel matures there comes to a point when its size will trigger a change into a silver eel. Eels mature anywhere from 7 to 20 years of age. When changing form, their fins and eyes quickly start to get bigger, preparing them for the marine environment. They are getting ready for a migration of about 2000 km. The migration down our rivers and streams happens mostly at night. Mating will happen in the Sargasso Sea anytime between Febru-ary and April.

HabitatEels use a wide variety of habitat, being able to live in salt, brack-ish or freshwater lakes or rivers. Not all eels live in freshwater; some eels actually go back and forth between salt water to fresh-water. In fact, eels use such different habitats that it is difficult to define the important characteristics of eel habitat.


Wisaw’tqasit Ga’tNqasaiw ga’taq peta’luguti’tij ga’te’gati’l na gsigawigutitaq aq wisawamugwita’taq. Lpa ta’n te’sulti’tij ga’taq na na’te’l ugji-atew sgweme’gwewultinew gisna napeme’gwewultinew. Enmiaq pugweli’tij ga’taq na ula wisaw’tqasit ga’t napeme’gwewitew. Enmiaq tegle’ji’tij ga’taq na ula ga’t sgweme’gwewitew. Alt wisaw’tqasultijig ga’taq siaw pi’tawa’lugutitaq ugjit gwilm-new me’ ajiglulgl ga’te’gati’l. Pugwelgig ga’taq geju’jig pemi pi’tawa’lugutijig Maqtugweg Sipu gi’s ta’sipunoltijig. Gisgug Ganataewa’gig, suel ms’t ga’taq na sgweme’gwaq.

QasawQasaq na ga’taq ta’nig gaqiguti’tij aq gisi iga’tutaq wa’wl. Ge’s wisaw’tqasit ga’t pemigaqigwej na gegnue’gt’tew qasawu’etew. Ga’taq gaqigutijig tampa tujiw weja’tegemg lluigneg te’sipunqeg misoqo tapuisgegipunqeg. Ge’s pemi piltuigue’ga’sij, ugp’sual aq ugpugugual gsigawigwetal, ugjit gisgajalsultinew ta’n tli ajita’taq gta’nug ta’pu pituiptnaqan “km” telpesug. Giwnaqa na wela’gul ta’n tujiw papga’luguti’tij. Weja’tegemg Apignajit misoqo Penat-muigu’s na tlisiga’la’titaq gta’n teluisig “Sargasso Sea”.

Ga’te’gati’lGaqi’si milamu’gul nme’juega’ti’l ta’n ga’taq gisi i’mu’titaq, wis-gupoq gisna tg’poqigtug; qospeml gisna sipu’l. Mu ms’t ga’taq

eimu’ti’gw tg’poqigtug. Alt ga’taq asuita’jig wisgupoqig-tug aq tg’poqigtug. Metue’g giasgiw wen gisitluen ta’n tett etegl ga’tegati’l, muta weligji’tas’g tam pas’g tett ga’taq gisi i’mu’titaq.

The American Eel is important to Mi’gmaw life and culture. “G’at” or “ka’t” is fished in all seasons, using spears, weirs and also lines. For thousands of years, the American Eel was a traditional food, medicine and part of ceremonies.This study was initiated by the GMRC to gather traditional eco-logical knowledge on the American Eel. Since the American Eel is a traditional food of the Mi’gmaw people the GMRC wished to gather Traditional Knowledge and further the understanding of the American eel population.

FishingAt one time, eel fishing in Gespe’gewa’gi was a common activity. Eels were caught by hook and line, using eel traps or the most com-mon method, spearing. Some people shared memories of spearing eel at night from a boat with a kerosene torch made by braiding an old mop head into five sections and attaching it to the bow. The light would attract the eel and when there was no smoke in your eyes it was easy to see them. Eel fishing was not just a subsistence activity. Many fishers used to sell eel to different markets. Today eel fishing is a rare activity. All communities said that the number of people fishing eel has decreased. A few different reasons were given, the most common reasons being:

1) Pollution in the water2) Change in diet3) The lack of eels available to be caught4) The tradition not passed down

Traditional Knowledge of Eel in Gespe’gewa’gi

Ta’n Lnu’g Teli Nenua’tijig Ga’taq Gespe’gewa’gig“Ga’t” telui’tut “American Eel” megite’tasit ugjit Lnueiei mima-juaqan. “Ga’t” gisna “Ka’t” getanut newtipunqeg, e’wasijig nigo-qolg, loqte’gnn aq elg wesgalut. Gaqi’sipituiptnaqanipunqegl, (American Eel) ga’t lnueie’t’p mijipjewei, ugtmpisunmuow aq mawi e’wasip a’sutma’ti’tij. Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq Resource Council (GMRC) weji pqoji panuijqatmi’tip ugjit mawo’tunew Lnueiei gjijitaqan ugjit ga’taq. Muta ga’tewei ne’gaw Lnueiei mi-jipjewei, GMRC menue’ge’tip mawo’tunew Lnueiei gjijitaqan aq gina’muanew mimajuinu’g ugjit me’ ulins’tasultinew ga’taq.

UsgaqanNewtejgeg, Gespe’gewa’gig apjiwsgala’tipni’g ga’taq. Ga’taq gisi pe’tulut’pnig mgignigtug, loqte’gnigalut’pnig gisna giwnaqa nigoqolg e’wut’pnig. Alt mimajuinu’g agnutmi’tip ta’n i’tlisa-qsigutipni’g e’wumi’tij sa’qawei elisgnuatas’g go’lailig map toqo megwasa’tas’g nigantug ugtuluaq. Ga’taq na la’lugutitaq nmitu’tij ta’n tett wasoqeg aq mu netlu’siwun na naqmasnmu’t’pnig ga’taq. Ga’te’ga’timg’p mu pas’g ugjit wilu’ow. Pugwelgig usgewinu’g i’ntuisgetu’tipnig ga’taq. Gisgug, awisiw ga’tega’timg. Ms’t lnue’gati’l eimu’tijig telua’tipnig gaqaw tgle’jijig ta’nig ga’te-

ga’tijig. Wegla ta’n maw gaqi’sg ewi’tas’g’pnn ta’n wejitglie’tij ga’taq na:

1) Samuqwan wesam winjig2) Piltuatalultimg3) Tegle’jijig ga’taq eimu’tijig4) Mu gegina’muam’gig

maljewe’jg ga’te’gaqan


Catching EelsEel were fished all year round, but with different methods at dif-ferent times. Usually it was men and young boys that would fish eel. The eels would be about the size of a wrist, almost 1 meter long. In summer if you were using a spear you could see where the eels were in the mud because the little holes would have a differ-ent color mud in front of the hole. Sometimes we fished during the daytime, but the best time to fish was the night. There was only 2 hours during the day you could really fish when the tide was high. We would follow the tide in with the boats. In the winter you used a different type of spear but you would put the spear through the ice and poke around in the mud, and when you felt an eel, you would jab it and bring it up. Other times of the year people fished eel with a rod, line (20lb test or cotton), sinker and baited hook, usually worms, but also corn and red berries. When the eel takes the hook, you have to keep pulling it back or it will wrap around a rock and won’t come loose; or it will get tangled up in the line.

Traditions to be Handed Down

Newtejgeg, gaqatepiepnig ga’taq Gespe’gewa’gig. Suel ms’t wen mest’g’p ga’tewei newt te’s aqantie’wuti. Alt telua’tipnig mestmi’tip ga’tewei te’sigisg’g ta’n tujiw geggugunmi’tij aq ig-tigig telua’tipnig pas’g mest’g’p ga’tewei newt gisna ta’pu te’s newtipunqeg. Elg, pugwelgig telua’tipnig i’smuetas’g’p ta’n tujiw Lnu’g mawita’tij.

Siaw Gina’muaness Maljewejg LnuoltimgGa’te’gemgGisi ga’tega’timg’p newtipunqeg, gatu lpa te’s piltuigtanut’pnig. Apjiw ji’nmug aq lpa’tujg usgala’titaq ga’taq. Ga’taq i’tloqo-noqsultipnig st’ge’ wen ugtangwisg’ptnm aq piamiw si’st leppie i’tlpittaqsultipnig. Ta’n tujiw nipg, algu’men gisi nmitut’s ta’n tett ga’taq geitapultijig sisguigtug muta piltuamugt’tew sisgu gigjiw enmaqe’ji’jigtug. Jijuaqa, ga’te’ga’tieg’p na’gweg, gatu maw mujgajewe’t’p wesgemg wela’gul. Pas’g tapu’gul ajietl na’gweg ta’n gisiwsget’s ta’n tujiw waju’pa’q. Majulgwatmeg’p gjigapa’n ntulninaq. Ta’n tujiw gesig, e’wat’s piltuigit nigoqol. Pijasga’l’t pgwi’gnigtug toqo alinantuen, aq enmiaq migute’j na sapalqate’t aq natqa’l’t. Ap na jijuaqa, mimajuinu’g wesgala’tipnig ga’taq mgignigtug e’wa’tijig weti’g ugjit waqatign, gisna piesgminn aq glitaq. Ta’n tujiw pe’tulj ga’t amuj pana siawi natqapilg gis-na giwto’qapegalsitew guntewigtug aq ma’ mna’sigw gisna amjilap’tqa’sitew apapi’jigtug. Ta’n maw mujgajewe’t’p ga’taq wesgaluj na pempisgiaq, gatu elg wesgalut’pnig wela’gul. Ji-juaqa ga’taq pe’tulut’pnig ta’n tujiw plamue’gemg gisna atoqwa’sue’gemg. Enmiaq etliwsgen toqo sangew natqapilewen na gisi pe’tulat’s ga’tejg.

Ga’teweiGa’taq gisi pe’tuluj na gaqapijo’lut’pnig aq pesolut’pnig. Mu naqamasegtnug ta’n teli psa’luj. Ga’tewei wejaqama’tmg’p, etoqtatmg’p, wigplatmg’p aq nutpatmg’p. Wejaqama’tas’g ga’te-wei na maw mujgajewei. Ni’n tmg ugsua’tugg ga’tewei ge’s mu plamuei aq jagejuei. Ga’tewei na maw gelulg mijipjewei aq maw wigapu’g. Pusgi malqutmg’p ga’tewei ugjit ta’n tel ge-

At one time eel were plentiful in Ges’pegewa’gi. Most people said that they ate eel at least once a week. Some said that they ate eel everyday when available and others only ate eel one or twice a year. Many also said that it was served at gatherings.


Eel as FoodAfter the eels were caught they would be hung up and skinned. It is hard to skin an eel. Eel were boiled, baked, smoked, and roasted. Boiled eel is the best. I would choose eel over salmon and lobster. Eel are very rich, very very good. Eels were regularly eaten as a staple source of protein. The young people don’t eat eel. Most young people have not seen an eel, when they see one they think it is a snake. Eels were always eaten at every gathering or feast. Eel make some people feel sleepy after they eat them. There is a little gray line on the top of the spine that I always remove before cook-ing the eel – it makes me feel sleepy and my legs tingly (maybe I am allergic?).

Uses of EelEel skin was used to bind sprains and other injuries. When joints were swollen my fa-ther would wrap eel skin around the joint, and the swelling would go down. It worked like a bandage. The skin would be wrapped around the joint and would shrink and heal the joint. Women use to use a piece of eel skin to tie up their hair. It was sometimes used to lash snowshoes and to bind toboggans.

lulg tajigeimg. Maljewe’jg mu malqutmi’tigw ga’tewei. Suel ms’t maljewe’jg mnaq nemia’tigul ga’tal, enmiaq nemia’tij telta’sultijig mtesgmul. Te’s mawio’mi gisna wi’gupaltimg apjiw esmuetas’g’p ga’tewei. Alt mimajuinu’g wen gtugsitew ta’n tujiw gist’g. Wapimqatawe’g elapaqteg wo’gwinigtug na apjiw mena’tu gesgmnaq wissugwatmu ga’tewei – getugsuguig aq ngatl pissiatal. (Etug mu wela’linug?)

Ta’n Tel Milwego’t Ga’tGa’to’pi e’was’g’p seg’pilsinn ta’n tujiw pestaqa’lsinn aq igtigl jilo’taqann. Ta’n tujiw angwisgaqann mewpeg, nujj giwto’qopiltew ga’to’pi toqo apoqpa’qt’tew. Teluwegetmg’p st’ge’ ajijgo-pilaqan. Ga’to’pi na giwto’qopilas’g wen angwisgaqanmg toqo ugsuwissa’s’gt’tew aq nijgitew jilo’taqan. E’pijig i’e’wumi’tip pugwei ga’to’pi ugjit mawpilmnew usapunual. Jijuaqa e’was’g’p ugjit oqotgwepiluj alaqami’g aq ilpilm’g tepaqanji’jl.

A’tugwalujig jagej aq ga’t etlintisnig Pitgutgwiaq Sipu. Wejin-tisnig ta’n wen tlialsusitew toqo se’sapaqtesgmi’tis samuqwan. Etna na ugjit gisgug mamuni sisguapua’q.

Ap igtig a’tugwaqan, eig’snaq sg’te’muj teliangamgusisnaq st’ge’ ga’t toqo ugsmuit. Na to’q gisapsgnmaj ugsmu’l na gisi e’wat’s ta’n teli wisuignemj ta’n wen getan’sg. Enma’tatl ta’n wen getan’sg na giwto’qapega’s’gt’tew ugtinneg wegla ga’t ugsmu’l.

Wiguaje’g Ta’n Ga’taq Etlnmu’jigGi’s nemi’gig ga’taq mawapsg’tqaia’tijig pugtug. Tal lugutijig? Nemituap pemapaqteg esgimoqon ta’n naqtmi’tip gesgijita’titeg geplutaqan Ugpi’ganjeg. Ga’taq na mu e’wumi’tigw nme’juei atg’saqta’s’g egwitg samuqwanigtug, maqamigewita’jig taqamo-qita’tij awti.

A’tugwalut Ga’t

The best time to fish eels was in the evening, but eel were also fished at night. Sometimes eel would be caught on salmon or trout fishing trips. If you are fishing and you reel in too slow, you will catch small eels.

Legends of EelThere is a legend of a lobster and an eel fighting in the Petitcodiac River. They were fighting over whose territory it was and they


Knowledge of populations was not clear because no one really fishes for eel anymore. There were some definite observations that there is still a strong presence of eel in some rivers and streams in forested areas (Pabineau area) but few eel observed in highly developed areas. One particular community (Eel River Bar) that no longer observed any eel was affected by a dam that changed much of the habitat in the area. People also mentioned that the tra-ditional eel fishing grounds in harbors and bays are also the areas that have seen the most changes due to human development.

Mu geitas’gtnug giasgiw ta’n te’si’tij ga’taq eimu’tijig muta mu wesgalam’gig nugu. Menaqa angaptas’geg nemitas’g’p me’ pug-weliejig ga’taq alt sipu’l aq sipu’ji’jl nipugtug (Giwtaw Winpe-gijuig Lnue’gati) gatu tegle’ji’jig ga’taq nemu’t’pnig giwtaw ta’n etlipugweliganig. Newte’ lnue’gati (Ugpiganjig) ta’n mu nugu nemiam’g’pnig ga’taq. Geplutaqan iga’tas’geg na asgotg’pnn nme’jue’gati’l na’te’l. Elg ewitmi’tipnn sa’qawe’l nme’jue’gati’l ta’n etegl te’s gwimuti aq te’s poqtapeg gaqaw sa’se’wa’s’g’pnn enmiaq mimajuinu’g poqji pugwelie’titeg.

Goqwajite’taqann Ta’n Wejitglie’tij Ga’taqTapusijig gisigu’g ta’n i’usgepnig ewi’tmi’tip ugtejgeweieg ga’tege’titeg panaemg nesisgegipunqe’g. Panaemg 1970-eg. Mu wen tapusi’tij gisi angite’tmugup ta’n weji puni ga’te’gepnig. Gatu tel pipanimuteg gtmite’tmnew ta’n te’si’tij ga’taq, gitg tel-uepnig sespete’tmi’tij ta’n tel winjig samuqwan. Sespete’tmitij ta’n wejiaqal winjigl: mimajuinu’g ugtmjegeimuow; ta’n goqwei wetoqeg aq wejijuig mulinigtug aq me’sgi’gl lgowaqane’l. Igtig Lnu ewi’t’g’p sespete’tg ta’n telwinjig gigpesan aq igtigl ta’n we-jiaq goqwei winjig.

Eel Populations

Ta’n Te’si’tij Ga’taq

churned up the water. That is why the water is so muddy today. There is another legend of an eel-like spirit, that has a horn, and if the horn is captured you can use it to defeat your enemies. You put the horn in your enemy and it wraps around the enemy.

Interesting Eel SightingI have seen eels in great big balls in the harbor. What are they do-ing? I saw a trail of slime that they left going over the dam at Eel River. The eel don’t use the salmon fish ladder there they just go over the road.


There are a large number of mills and industrial plants along the Bay of Chaleur. Most of the mills and plants opened up in the 1970s. During this period of time government provided incentives to industry to create jobs in New Brunswick. New or renovated factories and plants started to produce waste products and some of this in was dumped into coastal waters and watersheds. It seems likely that the slowing and eventual stopping of eel fishing may be related to the arrival of big industry and pollution.

As communities were developed, a different lifestyle was offered. This meant not only a choice in activity but also in diet. Many fear that without a traditional diet youth will lose connection with nature.

BarriersEel River Bar saw a drastic change in coastal habitat when a dam was put in the river to

Pugwelgl mulinn aq mesgi’gl lugowaqane’l pemamg’tegl Mawi Poqtapeg. Suel ms’t panita’qapnn 1970-eg. Na tujiw G’pnno’l apoqonmatg’pnn wegla mulinn aq mesgi’gl lugowaqane’l ugjit lugutinew mimajuinu’g “New Brunswick”. Nat goqwe’l wijigl wejiaqapnn ula pile’l gisna ta’n pililugwatas’g’pnn mesgi’gl lugowaqano’guo’ml, aq ta’s’gl elo’tas’g’pnn samuqwanitug. Tlue-ness ta’n teli awisiw ga’tega’tipnig tlapis pegaj puni ga’te’ga’tipnig na gisi ugjiass panita’qeg wegla mesgi’gl lugowaqane’l aq ta’n te’s’g goqwei winjig wejiaq.

Ge’s gutanji’jl pemigwegeg, pilue’g’p mimajuaqan neia’s’g. Mu pas’g piltu’lugutim’g’p elg piltuatalultimg’p. Pugwelgig mimaju-inu’g jipaqite’tmi’tip mu gji’tm’g ta’n i’tlatalultimg’p, maljewejg ntutaq ta’n tel gigjo’tmu’gup ugs’tqamug.

Etoqwa’luegl1963-eg, Ugpi’ganjig nemitu’tip ta’n tel gaqaw piltua’s’g’pnn nme’jue’ga’ti’l ta’n tujiw geplutaqan iga’tas’geg sipug ugjit me’ ajipugwelg samuqwan lian negla mulinn. Na tujiw, gisinmu’t’pnig pugwelgig ga’taq pema’lugutijig epune’g asoqomtaqanigtug aq gisgug lpa pegaj mu nemiam’gig.

So What Happened 30 Years Ago? Gatu Talianutuguneg Nesisgegipunqe’g?

Reasons For a Decline in Eel PopulationTwo elders that were active fishers stated that the last time they had fished for eel was around 30 years ago. This would be some-time during the 1970s. However, neither one could think of a par-ticular reason why they stopped fishing for eel. But when asked if they had concerns about the eel population both men stated that they were worried about pollution. They mentioned concerns over multiple sources of pollutants: sewage and household waste, ef-fluent from mills and large industry. Another community member mentioned concern about acid rain and other sources of pollu-tion.

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Gaqi’sipunqe’g, elg asoqomitas’g’p awti sipug gutan teluisig Win-pegijuig. Ula awti elg asgotg’pnn nme’jue’gati’l ta’n ula telgi’g gi-wtaw. Ap igtig ewi’tas’g’p geplutaqan ugjit “hydro electric” eteg sipug teluisig Nipisiguit. Mu geitm’g ga’taq etoqwa’lugugunew ula geplutaqan ugjit lta’new ta’n etegl nme’jue’gati’l gisna mu. Etugjel, giwto’qotesgmutug ula geplutaqan ew’g piluei sipu’ji’j.

provide more water for the mills in 1963. You use to be able to see lots of eel swimming under the bridge and today you don’t see any.

There is also a causeway that was built many years ago in Bathurst. This causeway has also changed the habitat in this area. There was another dam mentioned along the Nepisiguit River that is a hydro-electric dam. Whether or not this dam prevents eel from getting to traditional habitat is not known. Maybe the eel just use another stream to get around the dam.

Lnu’g Gespe’gewa’gig me’ gelo’tmi’tij pugwelg gina’masuti ugjit ga’taq. Mi’gmewaq ta’n telolti’tij ne’gaw ga’tega’tipnig ugjit wilu’ow. 1970-eg weji pqoji puniga’te’ga’timg’p, aq ula etug tla’tegenutug ta’n teli winjig samuqwan. Weja’tegemgeg, ge’s pempugwelia’ti’teg mimajuinu’g, pemims’gi’geg gutanji’jl aq poqji panita’qeg mesgi’gl mulinn lugowaqane’l, geitas’g’p ta’n tel winjigl sipu’l aq sipu’ji’jl. Amipoqwajite’tas’g’p samuqwan aq nme’juei. Ugjo’tmuggup geliga’tmnenu nme’jue’gati’l aq siawi panuijqamuggup wegla ta’n te’s’gl goqwe’l winjigl lnue’gatig. Ta’n teliagnutas’g ga’tewei wigapu’g aq mawipuatas’g, je tlia’ gis-gug ta’n telatalulti’tij Mi’gmewaq. Lpa gis tliaqs’p, ga’te’gaqan, a’tugwaqann aq ta’n teli lnuoltimg’p apija’tas’gt’s ges mu ges-gaqtnug ta’n teloltimg’p maw na gisigu’g ta’n geitu’tij ula gina’masuti.

Gaqigisite’taqan

ConclusionThe Mi’gmaw of Gespe’gewa’gi still retain much knowledge about American Eel. Fishing and eating eel was a central part of Mi’gmaw culture. Eel fishing stopped almost completely in the 1970s, and this might have something to do with concerns over pollution. Over time, with population growth, larger towns and the arrival of big industry, coastal waters and harbors were per-ceived to be polluted. This caused some lack of confidence in lo-cal water and its fish species. Efforts should be made to protect habitat and further the understanding of contaminants in commu-nities. Responses from this study showed that the American Eel is a tasty and desirable food, even in the modern Mi’gmaw diet. If possible, eel fishing, legends and related traditions should be resurrected before the traditions are lost with the elders who carry the knowledge.

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Literature

Davis, A., J. Wagner, K. Prosper and M.J. Paulette. 2004. The Paq’tnkek Mi’kmaq and Ka’t (American Eel): A Case Study of Cultural Relations, Meanings, and Prospects. The Canadian Journal of Native Studies 24(2):359-390.

Mi’kmaw Ethics Watch. 2007. Mi’kmaq Research Principles and Protocols. The Mi’kmaq College Institute, Cape Breton University. (http://mrc.uccb.ns.ca/prinpro.html

Prosper, K. and M. J. Paulette. 2002a. The Mi’kmaq Relationship with Kat (American Eel). Fact Sheet #7 Social Research of Sustainable Fisheries and the Paq’tnkek Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Prosper, K. and M.J. Paulette. 2002b. The Paq’tnkek Mi’kmaq and Kat (American Eel – Anguilla rostrata). A preliminary report of research results, phase 1. SRSF Research Report #4.

www.stfx.ca/research/SRSF/researchreports1/FinalReports/Report4.pdf (Accessed June 23, 2007)Whitehead, Ruth Holmes. McGee, Harold. 1983 The Micmac How Their Ancestors

Lived Five Hundred Years Ago Nimbus Publishing Limited Vicaire, J.M. 2007. “G’at – American Eel” Gm’tginaq Spring 2007. Newsletter of the

Gespe’gewag Mi’gmaq Resource Council.

Brusle, J. 1991. The Eel (Anguilla spp) and organic chemical pollutants. The Science of the Total Environment 102: 1-19.

CEWG (Canadian Eel Working Group). 2007. American Eel Management Plan. Draft January 15, 2007. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministere des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Quebec.

COSEWIC 2006. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the American eel Anguilla rostrata in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. 71 pp. (www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm)

Couillard, C.M., P.V. Hodson, and M. Castonguay. 1997. Correlations between pathological changes and chemical contamination in American eels, Anguilla rostrata, from the St. Lawrence River. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science 54: 1916-27.

DFO (Fisheries and Oceans Canada). 2006. “Underwater World: American Eel”

Mi’gmaw Literature

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Fisheries and Oceans, Science Branch www.dfo-mpo.gc.caDFO (Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2007). Integrated Eel Fishery Management Plan:

Eastern New Brunswick Area Gulf Region 2001-2006. http://www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fam-gpa/plans/nb/eel-anguille_2007_2010-e.pdf

Accessed (Nov. 30, 2007)Environment Canada. 2003. Canada’s National Environmental Indicator Series 2003.

Environment Canada, Ottawa. http://www.ec.gc.ca/soer-ree/English/Indicator_series/esignals.pdfAccessed (Dec. 6, 2007)

GMCME (Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment). 2007. “American Eels - Restoring a Vanishing Resource in the Gulf of Maine.” www.gulfofmaine.org. 12 pages.

Schafer, C.T. 1973. Distribution of Foraminifera near pollution sources in Chaleur Bay. Water, Air and Soil Pollution 2: 219-233.

TranslationsJanice Vicaire & Mary Ann Metallic

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Study Area

Listuguj Eel River Bar Pabineau

Nova Scotia

New Brunswick

P.E.I

Quebec

Gespe’gewa’gi

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94 B Riverside East

Listuguj, Quebec G0C 2R0

T 418.788.3017

F 418.788.3192

www.migmaqresource.org

Mawi apoqonmatultinej waqamnmu’g ula gm’tginu.Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq Resource Council

american eel report

Documents