ASF Calling For Immediate Government Action Due To Crisis State of Wild Atlantic Salmon
St. Andrews, NB (PRWEB) September 17, 2014 -- The Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) and the Miramichi Salmon Association (MSA) made a public call on September 16, 2014 at the MSA dinner in Fredericton, New Brunswick for immediate action to address the crisis facing the survival of wild Atlantic salmon. The organizations called on the Canadian Government to appoint a multi-disciplinary task force to create a Wild Atlantic Salmon Action Plan.
This year, the Miramichi, a popular, world famous salmon fishing river for American and Canadian anglers, is experiencing a salmon decline that is among the worst in recorded history. It’s a serious situation that is common to many wild salmon runs throughout Quebec, Atlantic Canada and Maine.
The average number of salmon returns to the Miramichi River has declined rapidly from 82,000 annually in the 1990s, to 53,000 annually in the first decade of this century, to 23,000 a year since 2011. David Wilson, Chair of the MSA, said, “This year, with near perfect angling conditions, the returns to date appear to be even lower, with a likelihood of total returning salmon being as low as 12,000. These are frightening numbers.”
In his remarks, Bill Taylor, President of ASF, stressed that the downturn in salmon numbers threatens the $40-million value of the recreational salmon fishery to the New Brunswick economy and the thousands of good seasonal and full-time jobs it provides to primarily rural areas where they are most needed. Mr. Taylor stressed that there are immediate actions that should be taken.
“Some people will argue that the matter needs further study or that there are issues at play that are beyond our control such as poor sea survival and climate change,” said Mr. Taylor. “While that may be true, there is ample evidence and data currently available upon which a strong and effective action plan can be based.”
Mr. Taylor continued, “For starters we need to stop killing so many salmon, especially during their migration at sea and those from populations that are not exceeding their minimum conservation limits. Canada should fund and implement the Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Policy that was approved in 2009, invest in more assessment and enforcement, and remove from DFO the mandate of aquaculture promotion, which is in direct conflict with wild fisheries conservation.
The MSA dinner recognized and honoured former Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Minister Keith Ashfield, who is a passionate champion on behalf of wild Atlantic salmon. About 500 people attended the dinner, including New Brunswick Premier David Alward and Brian Gallant, Leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Association.
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Both the Atlantic Salmon Federation and the Miramichi Salmon Association are international organizations, with US Board members.
MSA provides global-class leadership, stewardship and conservation practices for the Miramichi Watershed to continuously preserve and advance its environmental integrity for the benefit of all species, in particular the Atlantic salmon.
The Atlantic Salmon Federation is dedicated to the conservation, protection and restoration of wild Atlantic salmon and the ecosystems on which their well-being and survival depend. ASF has a network of seven regional councils (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Maine and Western New England). The regional councils cover the freshwater range of the Atlantic salmon in Canada and the United States.
ASF Contact:
Holly Johnson, Manager of Public Information: (506)529-1033(o)
(506)469-1033(c), HJohnson(atr)asf(dot)ca
To view this story online visit: http://www.asf.ca
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Holly Johnson, Atlantic Salmon Federation, +1 506-529-1033, [email protected]
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