Endangered Inner Bay of Fundy Salmon Successfully Released in Fundy National Park
News Release
Park celebrates innovative and successful partnership between academia, First Nations, industry and governments
October 12, 2016 Alma, New Brunswick Parks Canada Agency
Parks Canada and its partners are building on past success and taking practical action to recover Inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic salmon. Through its Conservation and Restoration Program, Parks Canada takes actions to preserve national parks and contribute to the recovery of species at risk. Today, Parks Canada gathered with a number of important partner organizations in Fundy National Park to support and showcase the release of more than 500 adult Atlantic salmon into park rivers. The collaborative work on this innovative and groundbreaking initiative over the past decade to maintain the declining wild salmon population at Fundy National Park has been made possible through a strong and successful partnership between Parks Canada, Cooke Aquaculture, the Province of New Brunswick and other collaborators, including the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Fort Folly First Nation and the University of New Brunswick.
Engaging the aquaculture industry has resulted in tangible benefits for wild Atlantic salmon. The first marine farm for the conservation of wild salmon is a ‘game changing’ accomplishment for the aquaculture industry. This practical model now serves as a best practice for other groups and governments to improve numbers of spawning salmon throughout Atlantic Canada.
The project involves growing juvenile wild salmon from Fundy National Park in marine net pens owned and operated by the aquaculture industry in the Bay of Fundy. When mature, the adult salmon are released back to their natal rivers to spawn naturally. Released adults have survived and been observed returning to the rivers the following year. As a result of this project, two park rivers have recorded 20-year high salmon counts. These numbers are encouraging and show that by working together, this diverse group is making significant strides in the recovery of this species.
Quotes
“Parks Canada is a recognized world leader in conservation. This initiative shows how collaboration, innovation and perseverance work together to recover species at risk. The growing presence of Inner Bay of Fundy salmon in Fundy National Park reflects this government’s commitment to protect and maintain the ecological integrity of this treasured place.”
The Honourable Catherine McKenna,
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada
This is an exciting collaboration between the levels of government, industry, First Nations and the scientific community to help the Bay of Fundy’s wild salmon population rebound. Our government is proud to have contributed to this project by designating the world’s first designated wild salmon conservation site.”
The Honorable Rick Doucet,
New Brunswick’s Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries
“With over 30 years of experience growing our local strains of Atlantic salmon from spawning to maturity, the team at Cooke Aquaculture is proud to provide our knowledge, personnel, equipment and operating costs to this project. This is a major undertaking for our company and seeing those large, mature fish going back to their home rivers is a wonderful payoff.”
Glenn Cooke,
CEO, Cooke Aquaculture
“As long standing partners with Fundy National Park, we are so proud to be part of this innovative approach in recovery of Atlantic salmon here in the park and on the Petitcodiac River. Salmon is so important to us and is an essential part of a healthy ecosystem on which we all depend; we are happy to have this opportunity to reconnect our youth with the land and this iconic species through this work.”
Rebecca Knockwood
Chief, Fort Folly First Nation
Quick Facts
- Parks Canada manages one of the finest and most extensive systems of protected natural and cultural heritage areas in the world. In managing national parks, Parks Canada maintains or restores ecological integrity, and provides Canadians with opportunities to discover and enjoy them.
- The Inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic salmon contribute to the genetic biodiversity of Atlantic salmon as a distinct population with adaptations and habitat requirements specific to the Bay of Fundy. By protecting the Atlantic salmon through habitat stewardship, Parks Canada and its partners are also contributing to healthier habitats for other species including other species of the area.
- Declared endangered under Canada’s Species at Risk Act, the Inner Bay of Fundy salmon population has been at risk of being extirpated since 2001. The population has declined from an estimated historical high of 40,000 to just 200 returning adults in 2003.
Related Product
Backgrounder: Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation in Fundy National Park
Related Links
Fundy National Park - Recovering Inner Bay of Fundy Salmon
Species at Risk Registry - Inner Bay of Fundy Salmon
Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Atlantic Salmon
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Contacts
Nadine Gauvin
External Relations Manager
Tel. 506-851-4659 Cell. 506-227-4139
Nadine.Gauvin@pc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca
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