Significant coastal restoration fund investment in Newfoundland and Labrador to restore a healthy marine ecosystem in Conne River, NL

News Release

CONNE RIVER, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR – The protection and restoration of the environment is a top priority of the Government of Canada, which is committed to providing resources for environmental protection and restoration for the benefit of all Canadians.

In May 2017, the Government of Canada announced the $75 million Coastal Restoration Fund to help rehabilitate some of our most important coastline and protect marine life and ecosystems. The Fund is part of the national $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan, a historic investment that will help protect our oceans and marine resources for generations to come.

On behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Scott Simms, Member of Parliament for Coast of Bays –- Central – Notre Dame, announced today that the Mi'kmaq Alsumk Mowimsikik Koqoey Association (MAMKA) will receive $404,100 over two years for a project to help protect the marine ecosystem in Conne River, Newfoundland and Labrador.

With a $235,000 investment from the Miawpukek First Nation and $404,100 from the Coastal Restoration Fund, this project will total $639,100. It will stabilize the area within the Miawpukek Reserve known as the McDonald’s Family and Culture Area, on the banks of the Conne River, which has been severely eroded by extreme weather conditions and a lack of total ice cover in winter. This work will help prevent sediment, tree roots, and debris from previous development activities from falling into the water. As the area is a known migration route for Atlantic salmon, the project will mean that the salmon can move more freely and benefit from a healthier ecosystem.

The Coastal Restoration Fund supports projects that contribute to coastal restoration on all of Canada’s coasts. Preference is given to projects that are multi-year and involve a broad number of partners that include Indigenous groups.

Photo legend: Scott Simms, Member of Parliament for Coast of Bays –- Central – Notre Dame, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard announces a significant investment in habitat restoration for salmon, a priority species in Conne River, Newfoundland and Labrador.

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Quotes

“Our government is committed to protecting our coasts – that’s why we announced the Oceans Protection Plan, which will help restore and protect marine ecosystems and habitats. The $75 million Coastal Restoration Fund provides an opportunity to address threats to our ocean and coastal areas. I am pleased that our collaboration with Mi'kmaq Alsumk Mowimsikik Koqoey Association will ensure a healthy, thriving ecosystem in Conne River for future generations.”
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

“I look forward to seeing how this investment will help improve the long-term health of the Bay D’Espoir Estuary and reduce some of the stressors affecting its marine life and habitats. Decades from now, our children and grandchildren will inherit an environment that must include healthy, productive and prosperous oceans and coastal areas.”
Scott Simms, Member of Parliament for Coast of Bays-Central-Notre Dame

"Mi'kmaq Alsumk Mowimsikik Koqoey Association is very pleased to receive funding support from DFO's Coastal Restoration Fund to stabilize the clay bank area at Miawpukek. This important project will not only stabilize and protect an important coastal shoreline adjacent to our salmon river, it will enable Mi'kmaq Alsumk Mowimsikik Koqoey Association and Miawpukek First Nation to develop key capacity in slope stabilization and environmental monitoring."
Chief Mi’sel Joe, Miawpukek First Nation

Quick Facts

This is an over $600,000 project, with an over $400,000 investment from the Government of Canada’s Coastal Restoration Fund.
The McDonald’s Family and Culture Area is an important cultural area and the site of the Miawpukek First Nation’s annual Powwow.
The McDonald’s Family and Culture Area is adjacent to the Conne River and the embankment is in the Bay D’Espoir Estuary.
The annual Conne River salmon run is important to the Miawpukek First Nation from a food, cultural and ceremonial perspective.
The project lead, MAMKA, is a partnership between the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band (Qalipu) and the Miawpukek First Nation (MFN).

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Contacts

Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-990-7537
Media.xncr@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Laura Gareau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474
Laura.Gareau@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

NR-NL-17-10E

Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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Date modified:: 2022-06-22

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