Canada launches Atlantic Salmon Committee

During the meeting, Minister Shea reiterated the Government’s commitment to take action about the trend of low returns of Atlantic salmon on the East coast and encouraged the Committee members to use their expertise and that of local stakeholders to help determine a fulsome course of action.

Officials from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans presented the most recent data including the latest science, regional management enforcement measures and international strategies in relation to Atlantic salmon. Committee members also heard from a number of invited organisations with a specific interest in wild Atlantic salmon conservation.

“The Minister’s committee is composed of a group of people from Atlantic Canada and Quebec who have a vast amount of experience related to Atlantic salmon,” said Greg Roach, chair, Ministerial Advisory Committee on Atlantic Salmon. “They also have a strong passion for the species with many of them volunteering in their communities to address salmon conservation and habitat restoration. I look forward to working with these knowledgeable people, and we are all anxious to start meeting with stakeholders and First Nations partners to address the task at hand.”

The Minister also announced three funding projects to enhance conservation and protection efforts for Atlantic salmon in Nova Scotia. The first is funding of almost $101,000 to the Nova Scotia Salmon Association for habitat restoration projects across the province through the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program. The other projects total over $300,000 and will fund repairs and upgrades of fishways in Nova Scotia including in Indian Falls and Grand River.