Northwest River Recreational Salmon Fishery to open for 2017 Season in Terra Nova National Park

Conservation project results in conservation gains and visitor experience for fishers

April 18, 2017                       Terra Nova National Park (NL)               Parks Canada Agency

The recreational salmon fishery on the Northwest River in Terra Nova National Park is scheduled to start on June 1, 2017.

For the 2017 season, a fish counting fence will be installed on the river and the quantity of salmon recorded will be used to determine a floating quota throughout the season. The initial quota will be set at 20 salmon. Weekly assessments will continue throughout the season and quota adjustments will be implemented and communicated.

Parks Canada requires anglers to have a National Park Salmon Licence and Newfoundland and Labrador Inland Salmon Licence in order to participate in the Northwest River Recreational Salmon Fishery.

In 2001, salmon numbers observed in the Northwest River were alarmingly low with just 153 salmon passing through the counting fence. To deal with the declining salmon numbers and to increase the overall health of the Northwest River, a coalition of stakeholders, including local citizens, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Parks Canada, formed the Northwest River Conservation Group. The combined efforts of this group has helped increase salmon numbers on the river and consequently allowed for a limited recreational salmon fishery to be held annually since 2003. The ongoing cooperation of recreational fishers is also an essential factor in the success of the fishery.

Parks Canada is a world leader in conservation. Canada’s network of protected areas have an important role to play by protecting and restoring healthy, resilient ecosystems and contributing to the recovery of species at risk.