Eco-emotions and narratives of salmon grief on the Main Southwest Miramichi River, New Brunswick

Abstract

Drawing on ethnographic participant observation and eight semi-structured interviews, this thesis focuses on eco-emotions and narratives of salmon grief on the Main Southwest Miramichi River, New Brunswick. As salmon disappear, so does a way of life. To understand how people feel about this, this thesis draws on the literature on eco-emotions and emotional distress caused by environmental loss. In three substantive chapters, it addresses narratives of crisis, narratives of frustrations with salmon governance, and narratives of salmon grief and acts of care. The conclusion highlights the need to view species loss as an emotional issue, and advocates for conservation efforts to support human-salmon traditions, relationships, and ways of life.