Teaching Responsibilities:
Biol 4741 (Ichthyology)
Biol 4746 (Advanced Studies in Icthyology)
Biol 6183 (River Habitats and Hydraulics: field course)
FE 3113 (Introduction to Forest Wildlife Ecology)
Special Responsibilities:
Canada Research Chair in River Ecosystem Science
Fellow, Canadian Rivers Institute
Meighen-Molson Professor in Atlantic Salmon Research
Director, Catamaran Brook Habitat Research Project
Head, Stable Isotopes in Nature Laboratory, UNB, Fredericton
Recent Publications:
Cunjak, R.A. and R.W. Newbury. Rivers of eastern Canada, pp. 000-000. In Rivers of North America (Benke, A.C. and C.E. Cushing, eds.). Academic Press, San Diego, CA. (in review).
Cunjak, R.A., R.A. Curry, K. Clarke and D.A. Scruton. Fish-forestry studies in Atlantic Canada, pp.000-000. In Fishes and Forests: an Approach to Fish-Forestry Interaction (Northcote, T.G. and G.F. Hartman, eds.). Blackwell Science. Oxford (accepted).
Swanson, H.K., Johnston, T.A., W.C. Leggett, R.A. Bodaly, R.R. Doucett, and R.A. Cunjak. 2002. Trophic positions and mercury concentrations of rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) and native forage fishes in northwestern Ontario lakes. Ecosystems (in press).
Lund S.G., D. Caissie, R. A. Cunjak, M. M. Vijayan and B.L. Tufts . 2002. The effects of environmental heat stress on heat shock mRNA and protein expression in Miramichi strain Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. (in press).
Cunjak, R.A., D. Guignion,, R.B. Angus, and R. MacFarlane. 2002. Using incubation baskets to assess salmonid egg/alevin survival in relation to fine sediment deposition, pp. 82-91 In D.K. Cairns (ed.). Effects of land use practices on fish, shellfish, and their habitats on Prince Edward Island. Can. Tech. Report. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2408: 157p.
Arndt, S.K.A., R.A. Cunjak, and T.J. Benfey. 2002. Effect of summer floods and spatio-temporal scale on growth and feeding of juvenile Atlantic salmon in two New Brunswick streams. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 131: 607-622.
Roussel, J.-M., A. Haro , and R.A Cunjak. 2000. Field-test of a new method for tracking small fishes in shallow rivers using passive integrated transponder (PIT) technology. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 57: 1326-1329.
Cunjak, R.A., D. Guignion,, R.B. Angus, and R. MacFarlane. 2000. Using incubation baskets to assess salmonid egg/alevin survival in relation to fine sediment deposition. In D.K. Cairns (ed.). Effects of land use practices on fish, shellfish, and their habitats on Prince Edward Island. Can. Tech. Report. Fish. Aquat. Sci. (In press).
Johnston, T. A. and R.A. Cunjak. 1999. Dry mass-length relationships for benthic insects: a review with new data from Catamaran Brook, New Brunswick, Canada. Freshw. Biol. 41: 653-674.
McCormick, S.D., R.A. Cunjak, B. Dempson, M.F. O'Dea, and J.B. Corey. 1999. Temperature-related loss of smolt characteristics in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in the wild. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 56: 1649-1658.
Heggenes, J., Bagliniere, J.L., and Cunjak, R.A. 1999. Spatial niche variability for young Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brown trout (S. trutta) in heterogenous streams. Ecol. Freshw. Fish 8: 1-21.
Komadina-Douthwright, S.M., T. Pollock, D. Caissie, R.A. Cunjak and P. Hardie. 1999. Water quality of Catamaran Brook and the Little Southwest Miramichi River, N.B. (1990-1996). Canadian Data Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Science 1051:27p.
Cunjak, R.A. and J. Therrien. 1998. Inter-stage survival of wild juvenile Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. J. Fish. Manage. Ecol. 5: 209-224.
Cunjak, R.A. T.D. Prowse, and D.L. Parrish. 1998. Atlantic salmon in winter: "the season of parr discontent"? Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 55 (Suppl. 1): 161-180.
Cunjak, R.A. 1998. Winter ecology of juvenile Atlantic salmon in running water: a review. pp. 181-194. In: R.A. Kazakov (ed.). The Atlantic salmon. NAUKA, St. Petersburg, Russia (in Russian).
Dodson, J., R.J. Gibson, R.A. Cunjak, K.Friedland, C.G.
de Leaniz, M. Gross, R. Newbury, J. Nielsen, M. Power, and S.
Roy. 1998. Elements in the development of a conservation plan
for Atlantic salmon. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 55 (Suppl. 1):
312-323 .
Grant, J.W.A., S.O. Steingrimsson, E.R. Keeley, and R.A. Cunjak.
1998. Implications of territory size for the measurement and prediction
of salmonid abundance in streams. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 55
(Suppl. 1): 181-190.
Hardie, P., R.A. Cunjak, and S. Komadina-Douthwright. 1998. Fish movement in Catamaran Brook, NB (1990-1996). Can. Data Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1038: 64p.
Caissie, D., S.M. Komadina-Douthwright, R.A. Cunjak and B. Burrell. 1997. Ice conditions in the Southwest Miramichi River and its possible influence on winter movement of post-spawned Atlantic salmon. pp. 371-390. In Proceedings: The 9th Workshop on River Ice, September 24-26, 1997, Fredericton, NB. 442p.
Komadina-Douthwright, S., D. Caissie, and R.A. Cunjak. 1997. Winter movement of radio-tagged Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) kelts in relation to frazil ice in pools of the Miramichi River. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2161: 66p.
Bourgeois, G., Cunjak, R.A., Caissie, D. and El-Jabi, N. 1997. Cautions on forcing regression equations through the origin: Response to comment. North Amer. J. Fish. Manage. 17:227-228.
St. Hilaire, A., D. Caissie, R.A. Cunjak, and G. Bourgeois. 1997. Spatial and temporal characterization of suspended sediments and substrate composition in Catamaran Brook, New Brunswick. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2165: 31p
Cunjak, R.A. 1996. Winter habitat of selected stream fishes and potential impact from land-use activities. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 53 (Supplement 1): 267-282.
Cunjak, R.A. and J. Therrien. 1996. Modeling Atlantic salmon population dynamics in a small stream. In Leclerc, M. et al. (editors). Proceedings of the Second IAHR Symposium on Habitat Hydraulics, Ecohydraulics 2000, Québec, June 11-14,1996.INRS-Eau, Quebec: pp. B477-B486.
Bourgeois, G., R. Cunjak, D. Caissie, and N. El-Jabi. 1996. spatial and temporal evaluation of PHABSIM in relation to the measured density of juvenile Atlantic salmon in a small stream. N. Amer. J. Fish. Manage. 16:154-166.
Arndt, S.K.A., T.J. Benfey, and R.A. Cunjak. 1996. Biochemical and physiological responses of juvenile Atlantic salmon to short term changes in feeding. J. Fish Biol. 49 : 257-276.
Doucett, R.R., G. Power, D.R. Barton, R.J. Drimmie, and R.A. Cunjak. 1996. Stable isotope analysis of nutrient pathways leading to Atlantic salmon. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 53: 2058-2066.
Caissie, D., T. Pollock, and R.A. Cunjak. 1995. Variation in stream water chemistry and hydrograph separation in a small drainage basin. J. Hydrol. 178: 137-157.
Heggenes, J., J.-L. Baglinière, and R.A. Cunjak. 1995. Synthetic note on spatial niche selection and competition in young Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brown trout (S. trutta) in lotic environments. Bull. Fr. Pêche Piscic. 337: 231-239.
Reebs, S.G., L. Boudreau, P. Hardie, and R.A. Cunjak. 1995. Diel activity patterns of lake chubs and other fishes in a temperate stream. Can. J. Zool. 73:1221-1227.
Cunjak, R.A. 1995. Addressing forestry impacts in the Catamaran
Brook basin: an overview of the pre-logging phase, 1990-1994.
pp.191-210, In E.M.P. Chadwick (ed.) Water , science, and the
public: the Miramichi ecosystem. Can. Spec. Publ. Fish. Aquat.
Sci. 123 : 191-210.
Current Graduate Research in my Laboratory:
Bujold, Valerie (M.Sc. 1998 - ).
Egg-to-fry survival and drifting fry behaviour of wild
Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in Western Brook, Gros Morne
National park, Nfld.
This is one of two graduate
projects aimed to meet the project goal of determining the sustainability
of a recreational salmon fishery in Western Brook. This project
focuses on the estimation of survival of eggs laid by spawning
salmon, and the behaviour of recently emerged salmon fry in different
parts of the river basin.
Connell, Christopher (M.Sc. 1998
- ).
Bottlenecks to production and survival of Atlantic salmon
in Clearwater Brook, NB (Miramichi).
This project will extend over
several years and will focus on the comparative use and survival
of salmon in different parts of the river. Specifically, Chris
will investigate if under-used portions of the upper reaches can
be 'enhanced' in order to attract spawning salmon, and to increase
production. He is using PIT (passive integrated transponder) technology
to monitor movements of adult salmon.
Flanagan, Jason (M.Sc. 1998 - ).
Factors influencing survival of fry and emergent fry of
Atlantic salmon .
Jason is investigating the impact
of man-made disturbance on the survival of eggs and alevins of
wild Atlantic salmon. Specifically, he will be quantifying the
impact of sedimentation from forestry activity near a salmon stream
(Miramichi) and the disturbance effect of streamflow regulation
(upper Saint John River). Both these projects have direct conservation
implications for the species.
Gray, Michelle (Ph.D., co-supervised
with Dr. K. Munkittrick, 1999- ).
Population responses of slimy sculpin to non-point source contamination
in agricultural regions of the upper Saint John River basin.
Michelle is assessing environmental
impacts from potato cultivation activities in northern New Brunswick
streams. Specifically, she is studying the comparative dynamics
and reproductive physiology of slimy sculpin populations in forested
and agricultural regions. She is also monitoring individual movements
and food web dynamics using stable isotope analysis.
Long, Kari (M.Sc., co-supervised with Dr. R. Newbury, 2002 - )
Defining spawning environments for sockeye salmon
In the literature, preferred depth, redd size and velocity for sockeye salmon are well documented but location is not dealt with. By location, it is the hydraulic pattern that determines not only the immediate conditions conducive to spawning but also how and from where each gravel particle (spawning sized) travels to the spawning areas. By studying the hydraulic features in channelized and natural spawning areas and comparing this to the egg to fry survival of sockeye in the regulated Okanagan River, BC, we hope to determine optimal spawning hydraulic conditions. These conditions could then be created in areas of limiting spawning habitat.
Matthews, Megan (M.Sc. 2002 -)
Comparative smolt-to-adult survival of Atlantic salmon smolts (spring) and autumnal emigrating parr.
This new long-term project will investigate the difference between adult return rates of smolts vs. ‘presmolts’ in Clearwater Brook, a headwater tributary of the Main Southwest Miramichi. PIT tags (passive integrated transponders) are being inserted into smolts (spring emigrants) and presmolts (autumn emigrants) as they leave the brook. In subsequent years, all adult Atlantic salmon will be checked for tags upon re-entry to the river system. The main focus of the project is the assessment of the relative survival of the two strategies to the returning adult stage. The project will also investigate at what stage stocked juveniles are leaving the brook. This part-time graduate research study is being done in collaboration with industry partner, J.D. Irving, Ltd.
Mitchell, Sean (Ph.D. 2002 - )
Production dynamics of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and cohabiting species of fish in rivers of eastern Canada.
The objective of this applied research project is the assessment of production rate as the quantitative measure for determining productive capacity of fish habitat in two rivers with populations of wild Atlantic salmon. The project will involve both field work and population modelling. Field work will be carried out over 2 or 3 years to estimate the production rate of juvenile Atlantic salmon in different habitats (riffle, run and pools), and collectively for the entire stream. Instream estimates of production will be compared to net production as estimated from smolt counts (counting-fence data). Salmon production for the entire stream will be modelled for all age groups of salmon from eggs to smolts using existing (or modified) salmonid models calibrated with the field data. Production will be compared in two systems that differ in physical and biotic attributes _ Catamaran Brook, NB and Northeast Trepassey Brook, NF. Results from 2 or 3 field seasons will be used to calculate and calibrate estimates of production for 11 years of historic data that are available for both rivers. Emphasis will be placed on identifying mechanistic or functional links between the habitat and population production. Results will be useful to habitat and fisheries managers for validating biotic and physical surrogates of habitat productive capacity, for identifying critical habitat, and for assessing the carrying capacity of salmon streams for stock assessment.
Ratelle, Stephanie (M.Sc., co-supervised with Dr. T. Benfey, 2001-)
Ecological interactions between juvenile diploid and triploid Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar
This study was designed to determine the effects of sterile triploid salmon on wild salmon in freshwater. The competitive abilities of juvenile diploid and triploid salmon will be observed and quantified in semi-natural tanks set up at the Mactaquac Fish Culture Station, in New Brunswick.
Sutherland, Reagan (M.Sc. 1998 - ).
Relationship between stream order and invertebrate prey availability
to brook trout.
The rivers draining the north
shore Bay of Fundy are high energy streams with steep lst, 2nd,
and 3rd order tributaries. Many of these tributaries are inaccessible
to fish due to the gradient and waterfalls, creating natural fragmentation.
Fish densities, by observation, appear to be in reverse order
of the stream size. Reagan is investigating the productivity of
the system based on stream order using: 1) invertebrate population
abundance, 2) use of the invertebrates by brook trout, and 3)
tracing of the nutrient sources through the system by stable isotope
analysis. This research is being carried out within Fundy National
Park .
Sigourney, Douglas (Ph.D., co-supervised
with Dr. Ben Letcher, Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center, MA,
USA; 2001 - ).
Growth, movement and survival of individual Atlantic salmon
in Catamaran Brook, New Brunswick.
Doug is actually doing this
degree through the University of Massachusetts (Amherst campus).
The field work will be done almost exclusively in central New
Brunswick, in Catamaran Brook, a tributary of the Miramichi River
system. The project involves tagging and re-sampling individual,
juvenile Atlantic salmon to determine individual growth rates,
movement rates and survival. The research is part of a series
of similar studies (West Brook, Massachusetts; Pleasant River,
Maine) that is designed to examine growth/survival/movement of
individuals within the context of a range of latitudinal (South
to North) and manipulation (all stocked fish to all wild) gradients.
e-mail to: cunjak@unb.ca
Maintained by: casey@unb.ca
Last Update: 24 October 2006
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