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The Government of Canada is giving $1.2 million in funding, under the Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund (AERF), to support wild Atlantic salmon in Newfoundland and Labrador.
This initiative was announced by the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.
In a more general framework and due to the consequences of climate change, pollution, and shipping activities, the government has decided to increase protection, through Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan.
The funding is going towards the Environment Resources Management Association (ERMA) - Exploits River Atlantic Salmon Collaborative Watershed Restoration Approach, which will investigate strategies to improve the productivity of wild Atlantic salmon.
With the collaboration of the Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador (MUNL), they will focus on the species' spawning areas and food resources, and supporting watershed-specific restoration plans.
Regarding this initiative, Lebouthillier said: "The Government of Canada is committed to taking action to restore and safeguard the health of our ocean and freshwater ecosystems. We are proud to help fund the work of these recipients in restoring and enhancing priority coastal and upstream aquatic areas. Working together, we can enhance our abilities to combat climate change through aquatic restoration activities."
In addition, Kevin Sheppard, vice chair of the ERMA Board of Directors, indicated: "Funding provided by DFO through the Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund will provide ERMA with 1.2 million dollars over three years to investigate bottlenecks that limit the freshwater productivity of wild Atlantic salmon in Newfoundland and Labrador."
The Ocean Protection Plan involves Indigenous Peoples, industry, communities, experts, academia, and government work that look to protect oceans and coasts.
AERF projects include restoration, development and implementation of aquatic restoration plans, and promoting partnerships with Indigenous Peoples, conservation groups, and academia.
"Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan's Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund will protect and restore aquatic environments across Newfoundland and Labrador. This important funding will improve productivity for wild Atlantic salmon and grow our economy," the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Transport stated.
Last month, the Government of Canada announced that it will ban open net-pen salmon aquaculture in the coastal waters of British Columbia by June 30, 2029.
