Canadian Government starts talks on wild Atlantic salmon conservation

Wild Atlantic salmon is an iconic species that has special significance for fishermen and the indigenous communities of Atlantic Canada and Quebec.

Currently found in over 1,000 Canadian rivers, the species is increasingly impacted by several factors – including climate change – which are affecting its productivity and survival.

The Canadian Government recognises the importance of effective and collaborative management of wild Atlantic salmon in the eastern region of the country. Fisheries and Oceans Canada will lead discussions over the coming months with indigenous communities and organisations, government partners and conservation groups as well as recreational fishing associations and the general public. on how best to preserve the species.

The Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Implementation Plan 2019 – 2021 is nearing its end and these discussions will help map out what future activities could be prioritised to support the protection and recovery of the species.

The discussions will build on other federal initiatives related to wild Atlantic salmon, including:

• Decades of research, monitoring, policy and partnership development work;

• Recent investments in Canada’s Nature Legacy ($1.35 billion in 2018 and $2.3 billion in 2021), the Coastal Restoration Fund ($75 million in 2017) and Environmental Studies Research ($11.8 million in 2021), which aims to track wild Atlantic salmon migration patterns in the offshore regions of eastern Canada over a five-year period.

“Wild Atlantic salmon are critical to the cultural and economic landscape of eastern Canada,” said the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. “Our Government understands the need for strong, consistent and coordinated action to protect and manage this species now and into the future.

“That is why we are committed to working with our partners to better understand how we can best ensure healthy wild Atlantic salmon populations will be there for generations to come.”

Picture: Fisheries and Oceans Canada.