A federal advisory committee has broadened its list of at-risk Atlantic salmon populations, causing concern among conservation groups in Cape Breton. There are worries that this adjustment may result in the cessation of recreational fishing for the iconic species in most of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has acknowledged this as a potential outcome but stated that it is not a definite conclusion.
The reassessment of salmon populations, encompassing those along the entire coast of Nova Scotia and throughout the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, was detailed during federal fisheries meetings with stakeholders earlier this month. Rene Aucoin, president of the Cheticamp River Salmon Association, expressed surprise at the news revealed at the meetings, emphasizing that while there are concerns about salmon populations along Nova Scotia’s Atlantic coast, the situation is different on the western side of Cape Breton Island.
Bill Hailey, vice-president of the Margaree Salmon Association, echoed Aucoin’s sentiments, highlighting the contrasting conditions of salmon populations in different regions. Both are apprehensive that the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) may recommend adding the Nova Scotia and southern Gulf salmon populations to the Species at Risk Act, potentially leading to the end of recreational angling activities.
The process of listing a species as endangered under federal legislation is complex and lengthy, involving public consultations with various stakeholders. While there is time to contest a permanent status change for salmon populations, the protracted nature of the process remains a significant concern for stakeholders.
DFO’s manager of biodiversity management in the Gulf region, Robert Jones, emphasized that any decision regarding the listing of species under the Species at Risk Act considers scientific advice as well as socio-economic factors. Although COSEWIC has identified certain salmon populations as endangered, the final determination and potential implications are yet to be determined.
DFO has implemented an Atlantic salmon conservation strategy to restore fish stocks, but critics argue that the strategy lacks adequate funding. COSEWIC will present recommendations to Environment and Climate Change Canada in the fall, taking into account a range of considerations including economic, conservation, social, and Indigenous perspectives.