The decision to close the Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility, including a hatchery in French Village near the Mactaquac Dam on the St. John River, has drawn criticism from the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick and Atlantic salmon experts and advocates. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is shutting down this facility, along with another in Coldbrook, N.S., as part of government cost-cutting measures.
The closure also entails discontinuing the Atlantic salmon live gene bank program and halting related salmon-stocking activities. The Wolastoqey group, which advises and supports six Wolastoqey communities, expressed deep concern over the lack of consultation regarding the closure, emphasizing the impact on Aboriginal and Treaty rights as well as the salmon population in the river.
Tommi Linnansaari, a biology professor at the University of New Brunswick and a member of the Canadian Rivers Institute, highlighted the various programs at the Mactaquac facility that are crucial for salmon conservation efforts. These programs involve collecting brood stock, fertilizing eggs, releasing fry into different locations upstream, and nurturing juvenile salmon from the Tobique River.
The closure of the hatchery is expected to have severe consequences for salmon populations in the St. John River, which have drastically declined over the years. David Roth, the Atlantic Salmon Federation’s New Brunswick program director, emphasized the vital role of the facility in sustaining salmon populations and conducting essential research.
The Wolastoqey Nation is assessing the potential repercussions of the closure, such as job losses and setbacks in salmon conservation initiatives. The group pointed out an agreement dating back to 1968 between the federal government and N.B. Power, underlining the commitment to operate the biodiversity facility in conjunction with the Mactaquac Project.
Both N.B. Power and the federal fisheries department have acknowledged the impending changes at the Mactaquac facility. While the reasons for the closure remain unclear, efforts are being made to ensure a smooth transition. Experts are hopeful that alternative solutions or renewed funding will be provided to support salmon recovery programs in the region.
The closure of the hatchery, although possibly a cost-saving measure, raises concerns about the long-term impact on salmon populations and the effectiveness of conservation efforts. Revamping existing programs or investing in modern infrastructure could potentially enhance the success of salmon conservation initiatives in the area.
Ensuring the continuity of hatchery operations is crucial to preserving decades of work and preventing further decline in salmon populations. Experts stress the importance of maintaining genetic diversity and sustainable practices to safeguard the future of Atlantic salmon in the region.