Good afternoon.
I would like to begin by thanking my colleague, Tilly O’Neill-Gordon, Member of Parliament for Miramichi, for joining me today. I also want to thank Mark Hambrook, President of the Miramichi Salmon Association, for hosting this event.
The Miriamichi region is renowned for its hospitality and beautiful scenery, but we all know that it’s most famous for its world class salmon fishing. Anglers from around the world congregate here for a chance to cast their fly and reel in one of Miriamichi’s prized possessions: Atlantic salmon.
Atlantic salmon is an intrinsic part of the region’s heritage. For centuries, it has been a vital resource which many depended on for their livelihoods, but today, the Atlantic salmon is in peril.
In the 1980s, fishermen noticed that the abundance of wild salmon was beginning to decline. Since then, numerous measures have been put in place to promote partnerships, conservation, protection and research. In 2000, a full moratorium was implemented on all commercial salmon fishing in Eastern Canada.
When it comes to conservation and rebuilding stocks, we all have a role to play – which is why partnerships are so important.
As a champion of conservation for over 60 years, the Miramichi Salmon Association is certainly doing their part. During this time, members have worked diligently to preserve Atlantic salmon and protect its habitat in the Miramichi river system. Their leadership in this area is widely recognized and much appreciated.
Our Government is also committed to the conservation and protection of this natural resource. Over the years we’ve introduced several measures to support conservation efforts. We’ve also invested heavily in projects designed to help rebuild stocks.
To demonstrate my personal commitment to this issue, I created a Ministerial Advisory Committee on Atlantic Salmon to address the declining returns in Eastern Canada and identify measures that can be taken to reverse this trend. Last month, I attended the Committee’s inaugural meeting with experts from across the Atlantic provinces and Quebec.
I’m pleased to report that this work is already coming to fruition. Just last week I announced new conservation measures for Atlantic salmon recreational angling throughout the Gulf region.
During the 2015 fishing season, a new conservation measure is being implemented throughout the Gulf region. Anglers will continue to be able to fish salmon as a catch and release fishery only. This will allow anglers to practice their sport while enabling an increased number of salmon to reach spawning grounds. In addition, they will be required to use artificial flies with a single barbless hook to decrease the chances of mortality when a fish is returned to the water.
These measures stem from recommendations put forward by the Ministerial Advisory Committee. They were also endorsed by a number of key stakeholders, including the Miramichi Salmon Association, who petitioned my Department for a one-year moratorium on the issuance of tags.
The Advisory Committee also made a number of recommendations related to the 2015 and 2016 striped bass recreation fishery that occurs throughout the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Compared to last season, seven days will be added to the retention fishery and 31 days will be added to the catch and release fishery. In addition, I’ve introduced maximum and minimum retention sizes to protect both large spawners as well as fish that are not yet mature.
Again, these management measures were supported by a number of stakeholders and demonstrate how our Government is listening to the concerns of local fishermen and conservation groups and taking action.
A few more meetings of the Advisory Committee are planned across the East coast. I encourage everyone with a vested interest in this issue to attend, share their concerns and offer up viable solutions. I’m confident that, with the help of local stakeholders, we’ll be able to chart a responsible and effective course of action to support the long-term recovery of Atlantic salmon.
In the meantime, I’m pleased to announce that the Miriamichi region will benefit from a federal investment of more than $500,000 linked to the conservation and protection of this species.
The South Esk Science Facility is a federally owned research station that conducts important monitoring and scientific field work on Atlantic salmon and other species in the Miramichi watershed.
Unfortunately, this building is over 30 years old and in need of significant renovations in order to continue carrying out its mandate. Under the Canada Infrastructure Plan an infusion of federal funding will go towards major upgrades to this science facility.
This funding will support improvements to the facility’s field laboratory and equipment as well as its office space and living quarters. It will also see the addition of a much needed outdoor storage site for boats and the different types of equipment used to monitor fish populations. Taken together, this work will contribute to a more modern and efficiently run research station.
This is important because the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is committed to making sound decisions based on scientific evidence. Our scientists routinely gather and interpret information so they can better understand the habitats, life cycles, mating habits and migrations of fish – which is invaluable to any recreational fishery.
With the help of numerous stakeholders, DFO scientists also actively monitor Atlantic salmon populations in key index rivers throughout Eastern Canada, including the great Miriamichi. Improvements to the South Esk research station will help facilitate that work.
In addition to some of the measures I mentioned earlier, our Government’s Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnership Program has invested $3.9 million in 73 projects that directly benefit Atlantic salmon conservation and habitat throughout Atlantic Canada.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans also has a robust regulatory regime in place to help mitigate threats to recreational fisheries. Recent legislative amendments to the Fisheries Act will also help further strengthen cooperation with third parties in areas of common interest by giving the authority to enter into agreements with third parties to undertake activities to restore fisheries habitat to the Minister.
Despite these efforts, we all know that more needs to be done.
However, an issue as complex as declining salmon stocks is not something any one group can solve alone. That’s why it’s so important to foster partnerships, engage in ongoing dialogue, share best practices and make strategic investments such as the one I announced today.
We all approach this issue from a different perspective but I think we can agree on one thing: the long-term sustainability of this once abundant species is contingent on cooperation.
I’m confident that, by joining forces, we can work together to reverse the historical damage inflicted on the salmon population in this region.
On behalf of the Government of Canada, I commend each of you for your dedication to protecting one of New Brunswick’s most valued and cherished natural resources.
Thank you.
