The Nova Scotia Salmon Association (NSSA) annually grants two $500.00 scholarships to individuals participating in either academic or fish habitat restoration initiatives.
 
2008, 2009, 2010 Recipient :  Eddie Halfyard PhD Student – Dalhousie University
Eddie’s research on salmon continues to expand and now focuses on the issues facing salmon at sea. In particular, I am examining the survival of salmon during the early stages of their marine migration, more specifically, as they leave natal rivers, move through the estuaries and begin their Northward migration. Using state-of-the-art acoustic telemetry, we can assess salmon smolt/post-smolt behaviour, movement, habitat-use and, most pertinent to this project, where and when they die. This project is fortunate enough to be partnered with the Ocean Tracking Network (http://oceantrackingnetwork.org), a world class research initiative based out of Halifax. Some of the river-systems were examining are the LaHave, Gold, West River (Sheet Harbour) and the St. Marys Rivers.
Another facet of the project is the examination of within-river ecology of adult salmon as they return to the St. Mary’s River AND an examination of the ecology of supportively-reared adult salmon. Supportive-rearing is an alternative to traditional hatchery programs (specifically offsets low marine survival) and involves capturing wild juvenile salmon and raising them to maturity, when they are released to spawn naturally.
 
2005, 2006, 2007 Recipient :  Eddie Halfyard Master’s Student – Acadia University
Eddie’s research focused on the West River, Sheet Harbour Acid Mitigation Project. In particular, it examined the early ecological response of the acid mitigation program and how the addition of lime via the lime doser affected the river’s water chemistry, flora and fauna. More specifically, the research focused on the response of the aquatic invertebrate community, the fish community, and the plant community. This research not only provided a direct assessment of the lime doser, but also provides a general survey of the river – critical for future studies.