The province’s Environment and Climate Change Department says 16 lakes have been identified as having toxic blue-green algae so far this year, with all reports coming in June. At the same point last year only eight lakes had been identified as having a bloom of the algae. Elizabeth Kennedy, the director of the water branch for the department, said that while there may be more instances this year because of hot and dry weather in May and June, the department has also been pushing its awareness campaign so more people could be reporting sightings.
Fish-eradication project in Miramichi has begun, opponents say
The project to eradicate invasive smallmouth bass from Miramichi Lake by using rotenone is now underway, according to people who oppose the plan. On Thursday, Indigenous opponents of the project were again canoeing on the lake to prevent workers from pouring the toxin into the water. This is what prevented the project from going ahead last year, because the chemical can't be applied when there are people on the water. There are also unconfirmed reports of an arrest. According to multiple sources, including opponent and cottage-owner Barb Hildebrand, one of the people camping on the beach in the hopes of waylaying the project was arrested by provincial peace officers Thursday and accused of theft.