The government of Canada has announced a first-ever strategy to help Atlantic salmon recover in the nation’s eastern provinces.
“Launching the Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Strategy is a positive first step,” Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) President and CEO Louie Porta said in a statement. “ASF, our partners, and thousands of people in Eastern Canada have been urging DFO to follow through.”
The stategy will guide Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans' (DFO) efforts to restore wild salmon populations and their habitats along the Atlantic coast. In its announcement, the government claimed it has invested CAD 6.1 million (USD 4.3 million, EUR 3.9 million) in projects already underway as part of an early implementation of the strategy, and it plans to invest another CAD 1 million (USD 697,999, EUR 643,616) in fiscal year 2025-2026. The government will publish a call for proposals in the coming months to support projects targeting Atlantic salmon.
“We recognize the funding today is an important down payment that will make a difference on the ground in 2025 and sets the stage for a much-needed substantial investment in years to come,” Porta said. "ASF stands ready to contribute expertise and resources to help make this strategy a success."
In a press release, the Canadian government said it was committed to conserving Atalntic salmon populations.
“Having grown up on the Gaspé Peninsula, I understand that Atlantic salmon are an integral part of Canada’s heritage and history,” then-Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Diane Lebouthillier said in a statement. “Canada’s National Strategy will better position Canada to address the challenges affecting this species in our ecosystems. In collaboration with Indigenous communities, partners, and stakeholders, we can work to ensure a healthy and prosperous future for Atlantic salmon.”
Lebouthillier was replaced as head of Canada’s fisheries earlier this month as former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government left office.
