In the Bay of Fundy, Atlantic sturgeon from endangered and threatened populations in the USA and Canada migrate through Minas Passage to enter and leave Minas Basin. A total of 132 sub-adult and adult Atlantic sturgeon were tagged in Minas Basin during the summers of 2010–2014 using pressure measuring, uniquely coded, acoustic transmitters with a four or eight year life span. The aim of this study was to examine spatial and seasonal distribution of sturgeon in Minas Passage during 2010–2014 and test the hypothesis that, when present, Atlantic sturgeon were evenly distributed from north to south across Minas Passage. This information is important as tidal energy extraction using in-stream, hydrokinetic turbines is planned for only the northern portion of Minas Passage.

Principal Investigators:  Dr. Michael  Stokesbury and Dr. Anna Redden, with Laura M. Logan-Chesney, Montana F. McLean, Colin F. Buhariwalla, , Jeffrey W. Beardsall, Jeremy E. Broome, and Dr. Michael J. Dadswell, Acadia University

This resource is also available on the OERA research portal at: https://oera.ca/research/atlantic-sturgeon-spatial-and-temporal-distribution-minas-passage-nova-scotia-canada