Government of Canada Invests in Salmon Conservation in Kouchibouguac National Park

From: Parks Canada

News release

May 23, 2019           Kouchibouguac National Park, New Brunswick       Parks Canada 

Nature is our most precious resource yet it is increasingly under threat from climate change, human activity, and habitat loss. Since 1970, the world has lost approximately 60 percent of the populations of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. We know we need to take action to protect the ecosystems and habitats that are home to the wildlife we love. Parks Canada does important work for species recovery and habitat restoration, including through collaboration with Indigenous communities and local organizations.

Today, Pat Finnigan, Member of Parliament for Miramichi – Grand Lake, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, announced a federal investment of $335,000 for salmon restoration in Kouchibouguac National Park. This funding will bolster knowledge, surveillance and restoration of the Atlantic salmon population in the park, building on previous and ongoing projects in Kouchibouguac National Park and the surrounding region.

Parks Canada is a recognized leader in conservation and takes actions to preserve national parks and marine conservation areas and contribute to the recovery of species at risk. A continuing decline in the number of adult Atlantic salmon returning to spawn in local watersheds is putting this population at risk. A recent UN report showed that almost 1 million of the planet’s species are at risk, and the Government is committed to protecting Canada’s biodiversity. This project will monitor salmon populations through habitat assessments, electrofishing and tagging, as well as genetic analyses. It also aims to increase abundance by capturing adults and use specialized trays to incubate fertilized eggs generated from these parents and release fry into the rivers.

Salmon found in Kouchibouguac National Park are part of the Gaspé – Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence population. In working to protect and restore healthy, resilient ecosystems and contributing to the recovery of this genetically distinct and locally adapted population, Kouchibouguac National Park will work with other Atlantic national parks, Kopit Lodge, and the Friends of the Kouchibouguacis to restore the Atlantic salmon population.

Parks Canada is committed to understanding, conserving, and protecting endangered or declining species, such as Atlantic salmon, in Kouchibouguac National Park. 

Quotes

“During the International Year of the Salmon, this investment in the salmon restoration project will help protect our vulnerable wild salmon population. Nature, including our animals, are central to Canada’s culture, prosperity and way of life. Canadians love nature and know we need to protect what we love. Through investments in our national parks, the Government of Canada is conserving important ecosystems and habitats. I encourage Canadians and people from around the world to visit Kouchibouguac National Park to experience nature and learn more about the wildlife, including the Atlantic salmon, that call the park home.”

Pat Finnigan
Member of Parliament for Miramichi – Grand Lake

Quick facts

  • National Parks across Atlantic Canada are each home to a different population of Atlantic salmon with a varying species-at-risk status. Salmon found in Kouchibouguac National Park are part of the Gaspé – Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence population. Its current (since 2010) COSEWIC status is that of a species of special concern.

  • Parks Canada takes its mandate to protect ecological integrity very seriously and is the only national parks system in the world that has fully implemented a system-wide ecological integrity monitoring and reporting program, consisting of more than 700 independent scientific measures that inform park-specific priorities and guide investments in conservation. 

  • Wild Atlantic salmon populations have declined dramatically and they continue to face many pressures such as climate change, by-catch from commercial fisheries, poaching, habitat degradation and migration barriers.

  • Throughout 2019, the Government of Canada is participating in  International Year of the Salmon events and continuing important work to protect salmon populations.

  • The Government of Canada is pleased to continue to offer free admission to all Parks Canada’s places for youth aged 17 and under. By encouraging young people to discover nature and connect with history, we can help to inspire the next generation of stewards for these protected places. In celebration of diversity, Parks Canada continues to offer free admission to new Canadian citizens for one year through the Institute for Canadian Citizenship’s Cultural Access Pass Program. 

Related products

Associated links

Contacts

Sabrina Kim      
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
819-938-3813
sabrina.kim@canada.ca

Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca

Page details

Date modified: