Canada allocates CAD 1.2 million to protect wild Atlantic salmon

Canadian Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Joanne Thompson announced that the Federal Government will support four projects with more than CAD 1.2 million—the exact amount being CAD 1,203,000—to advance the vision of Canada's National Strategy to Ensure the Future of Atlantic Salmon 2024-2036 to create the conditions for this species to thrive in the wild.

Launched in March of last year in what was one of the last announcements from former Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, Diane Lebouthillier—whom Thompson replaced—according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the Strategy reflects what was heard during extensive engagement efforts with Indigenous organizations, provincial governments, grassroots organizations, and other key stakeholders.

At that time, the Government of Canada said that it had already invested CAD 6.1 million and planned to add another CAD 1 million to the budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which would be allocated to the development of new projects focused on Atlantic salmon conservation and the objectives outlined in this strategy.

"Atlantic salmon are woven into the identity of Atlantic Canada and Quebec," Minister Thompson stated now. "Protecting them is a commitment to every person and every culture that has depended on them for generations. The partnerships we're announcing today bring Indigenous organizations and conservation leaders together around a shared foundation — so that salmon, and the communities that cherish them, can thrive for decades to come," she added.

The DFO emphasized that the projects now being announced develop the tools, knowledge, and governance structures necessary to guide the implementation of the Strategy throughout its 12-year duration.

Four projects that support the Strategy goals

Specifically, the projects that Fisheries and Oceans Canada is supporting are those of these four partners:

• The Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat, which is leading on the Collaborative Governance Approach for the Strategy to strengthen Indigenous-led governance, knowledge, and collaboration for the conservation, protection, and restoration of Atlantic salmon and its habitats to ensure survival for future generations. It will receive CAD 450,000.

• The Institut de développement durable des Premières Nations du Québec et du Labrador, which, DFO said, is engaging with communities to gather Indigenous knowledge related to Atlantic salmon and hold Indigenous round-tables to promote the integration of two-eyed seeing. It will receive CAD 267,000.

• The Atlantic Salmon Federation, which, for its part, is leading the Habitat Connectivity Assessment and Barrier Prioritization project with the aim of improving the assessment, monitoring, and reporting of freshwater connectivity for Atlantic salmon. It will receive CAD 286,000.

• The Foundation for Conservation of Atlantic Salmon, which, according to DFO's release, is holding inter-provincial symposiums in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick intending to share information and best practices, and to foster insightful discussions with the leaders of the Atlantic salmon community. It will receive CAD 200,000.

According to Fisheries Oceans Canada, these four projects support the goals of the Strategy, including to collaboratively develop processes and approaches for wild salmon conservation across eastern Canada; build capacity within and between Indigenous communities and organizations; establish governance structures; and create opportunities for sharing knowledge, data, and/or collaborative reporting.

The difference with the west coast

The department headed by Minister Joanne Thompson concluded by stating that "Canada will continue to make the best knowledge and information available to support decision making, climate resilient actions and mitigate threats to this iconic species."

The statement is striking when one recalls the controversy on the Canadian west coast, where the Federal Government maintains its decision to ban open net-pen salmon aquaculture in British Columbia from 2029, despite the fact that various scientific studies over the years—four of them presented in 2025—concluded that BC salmon farms do not harm wild salmon stocks, and that the BC coastal First Nations have repeatedly reiterated their support for salmon farming in their territories.

Meanwhile, on the east coast, where these projects will be implemented, a recent regional survey conducted by Narrative Research Associates on behalf of the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association (ACFFA) showed that 85% of Atlantic Canadians support the aquaculture industry, which means stronger support than ever for aquaculture and finfish farming.

Although the survey does not include Quebec, its results showed that support has increased in all of the Atlantic provinces, with Prince Edward Island leading with 93% support, followed by New Brunswick with 87%, and Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia with 83% each. According to the ACFFA release commenting on the results, when asked why they support the sector, Atlantic Canadians most frequently cited employment in rural communities (37%) and economic benefits (34%).

The Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association noted that, after more than 40 years of producing sustainable and nutritious protein, today, finfish farming is one of the most important economic drivers in the region, supporting coastal communities while coexisting with traditional wild-caught fisheries.