A federal advisory committee has extended its list of imperiled Atlantic salmon populations, sparking concern among conservation groups in Cape Breton. They are apprehensive that this adjustment could potentially result in the termination of recreational fishing for a prominent East Coast species in a significant portion of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans acknowledges this as a potential outcome but emphasizes that it is not a foregone conclusion.
The revised assessment status was disclosed during recent federal fisheries meetings with stakeholders following the reevaluation of salmon populations by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). These assessments encompassed salmon populations along the entire coast of Nova Scotia and across the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Rene Aucoin, the president of the Cheticamp River Salmon Association, expressed his dismay over the situation, highlighting the robust state of the western Cape Breton river’s population for over a decade. He emphasized that labeling it as endangered seems incongruous given the positive trends witnessed in recent years.
Meanwhile, Bill Hailey, the vice-president of the Margaree Salmon Association, concurred with Aucoin’s sentiments. He pointed out the contrasting situations between the struggling salmon population in New Brunswick’s Miramichi River, primarily due to a thriving striped bass population, and the healthy state of the Margaree River’s salmon population.
The potential ramifications of these changes are a cause for concern among stakeholders, with fears that the committee may advocate for the inclusion of Nova Scotia and southern Gulf salmon populations under the Species at Risk Act. This move could potentially lead to the cessation of recreational angling activities, including catch-and-release practices.
While the process towards a formal endangered listing under federal legislation is complex and protracted, stakeholders are gearing up to challenge any permanent alterations to the salmon status. Despite the extended timeline involved in such decisions, the looming uncertainty remains a significant worry for those involved.
DFO’s manager of biodiversity management in the Gulf region, Robert Jones, stressed the importance of considering scientific data and socio-economic factors in determining the fate of Atlantic salmon populations. While the initial shift in assessment status is a significant development, the final decision on the listing of these populations as endangered under federal law remains uncertain.
The ongoing debate surrounding the conservation of Atlantic salmon populations underscores the need for a balanced approach that considers ecological, economic, and social implications. The complexities involved in these decisions necessitate a thorough evaluation process that takes into account various perspectives and impacts.