Mi'kmaq and Maliseet Ecological Knowledge on Species at Risk in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence

The Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence constitute a rich, complex and fragile ecosystem, hosting several marine species at risk. Mi’kmaq and Maliseet People have relied and acquired knowledge on many of these species since immemorial time, although only a small portion of this precious knowledge has been documented in written. To fill this gap, we aimed to document Mi’kmaq and Maliseet ecological knowledge about fourteen (14) species considered either of special concern, threatened, endangered, or extirpated in the Estuary or Gulf of St. Lawrence. The species were: Atlantic salmon, American eel, striped bass, Atlantic cod, American Plaice, redfish, Atlantic sturgeon, white shark, beluga, blue whale, fin whale, North Atlantic right whale, Atlantic walrus, and the leatherback turtle. Our objectives were to document the species historical presence, their critical habitats, fluctuations in their population and abundance, as well as their importance in the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet cultures, both locally and globally. Interviews were done in the communities of Gesgapegiag, Gespeg, and Viger. Recommendations were also sought from participants regarding the management of these species and their habitats. Results will contribute to the conservation, management and recovery of these species in the Estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.