Good evening everyone.
It’s a pleasure to be in Bridgewater and spend a weekend here in South Shore - St. Margaret’s. I’ve had a very busy day with my colleague Gerald Keddy, announcing funding for several small craft harbours projects in his beautiful riding. It’s a pleasure to conclude our busy day with you tonight.
The Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters has had a long and storied history dating back to 1930 when a group of concerned sportsmen formed this association. People knew then – as you know today – that there’s an inherent wisdom to speaking with a strong, unified voice on federal and provincial wildlife matters. Eighty-five years later, you’re proudly carrying on this tradition.
With over two million lakes and rivers that flow into five major ocean drainage basins, Canada is home to an abundance of freshwater resources. Together, they account for approximately one fifth of the world’s freshwater. This, in turn, supports much of Canada’s recreational fishery.
It goes without saying that this wealth of water -- and its fish stocks -- requires responsible and ongoing stewardship by all Canadians and at all levels of government. My job as Minister of Fisheries and Oceans is to strike an appropriate balance between the commercial, traditional and recreational use of these natural resources, which so many people rely on for their livelihood, culture and enjoyment.
Recreational fishing has historically been one of our country's most popular leisure activities for both Canadians and visitors alike. Every year, anglers from around the world come to fish in our lakes, rivers and oceans – many right here in Nova Scotia.
This is much more than just a cottage industry. Based on the 2010 National Recreational Fisheries Survey, an estimated 3.3 million adult anglers participated in recreational fishing that year. This, in turn, contributed approximately $8.3 billion to local economies across Canada.
Unfortunately, recreational fisheries are also facing multiple threats including pollution, invasive species as well as habitat loss and degradation. Of these, habitat loss is the most commonly identified threat to freshwater fish.
Like all complex issues, the key to addressing them is cooperation.
In Canada we take a unique approach that combines federal, provincial and territorial legislative responsibilities with partnership, citizen engagement and public awareness. Together, it’s helping to achieve a balance between the promotion of recreational fishing as a leisure activity and the conservation of important species.
Our Government understands that local knowledge of angling and conservation groups such as yours is invaluable especially when it comes to protecting and conserving one of the Maritimes most valuable resources: wild Atlantic salmon.
Nowhere are these partnerships more evident than with our Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program. Since its inception in 2013, our Government has invested $3.9 million in 73 projects that directly benefit wild salmon conservation throughout Atlantic Canada.
Just this month, I was in Halifax where I announced over $100,000 for an NSLC Adopt-A-Stream project that’s being managed by the Nova Scotia Salmon Association. I also announced up to $300,000 in federal infrastructure funding to repair and upgrade two fishways in the province. Projects such as these will make a real difference in improving access to important habitat for a number of sport fish species that support local fisheries.
These federal investments are based on scientific research which is at the core of our decision making. Every day, DFO scientists are gathering and interpreting information so they can better understand the habitats, life cycles, mating habits and migrations of fish. This is invaluable information for any recreational fishery.
With the help of stakeholders like yourselves, our scientists are also actively monitoring Atlantic salmon populations in key index rivers throughout Eastern Canada. This research has confirmed what local anglers have long suspected: that wild Atlantic salmon stocks are declining on the East Coast.
Our Government knows that effective action requires partnerships. That’s why we’ve introduced several measures to support conservation and are investing heavily in projects designed to help rebuild wild salmon stocks.
To demonstrate my personal commitment to this particular issue, I created a Ministerial Advisory Committee on Atlantic Salmon to address declining salmon returns in Eastern Canada. The Committee will identify measures that can be taken to reverse this trend. Earlier this month in Halifax, I attended the Committee’s inaugural meeting with experts from across the Maritimes and Quebec.
Together, members of the Committee are examining conservation and enforcement measures, as well as predation issues. They’re also developing a strategy to address unsustainable international fishing and areas for advancing science. I’m confident that, with the help of local stakeholders, we can chart a responsible and effective course of action that supports the long-term recovery of this once abundant species.
Salmon, of course, isn’t the only species that draws fishermen to Nova Scotia’s waters.
Among inland waters, brook trout remains king. It continues to be the most popular sport fish in the province, with mackerel being the most popular species in tidal waters. Other important recreational tidal water fisheries along Nova Scotia’s coast include groundfish, striped bass, smelt and even shark.
As mentioned, the key to a sustainable recreational fishery is cooperation across all sectors. No one group can solve these issues alone.
As the federal entity that governs commercial, recreational and Aboriginal fisheries, our Government is committed to the long-term sustainability of fish populations in our oceans and waterways.
Our Government also remains committed to working with groups, such as yours, who share our concern about the health and well-being of sport fish. Together, we can help educate people about the challenges faced by recreational fish species in Nova Scotia and the importance of conservation and enforcement.
We all have a role to play as stewards of the land and water. As the demands on Canada’s water and fish continue to grow, our resolve to protect these natural resources must too.
Thank you again for inviting me to join you this evening. I’m grateful for your ongoing commitment to a healthy and responsibly managed recreational fishery.
Thank you.
