Ottawa, Ontario - Wild Atlantic salmon holds an iconic status in Atlantic Canada and Quebec. They are deeply intertwined with Indigenous cultures and are vital to ecosystem health. Fisheries and Oceans Canada recognizes the decline of Atlantic salmon and is responding to Indigenous communities, partners and stakeholders to take action to conserve this important species.
Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier announced Canada's first ever conservation strategy to restore and rebuild wild Atlantic salmon populations and their habitats. This Strategy will guide the Department and our partners in working together to mitigate threats and ensure healthy ecosystems that can support Atlantic salmon. Since 2021, we have engaged with Canadians, stakeholders, partners, provincial governments and Indigenous organizations on the Strategy. The Department will continue to collaborate with these groups in implementing and reviewing the Strategy to help shape its evolution.
Atlantic salmon is woven into to fabric of many East coast communities. It has held cultural and spiritual significance to Indigenous Peoples since time immemorial, and has been an important part of many Canadians' lives and livelihoods for generations. Restoring Atlantic salmon is a priority. To date, the Government of Canada has invested $6.1 million in projects already underway that reinforce the early implementation of the Strategy by spurring collaboration with stakeholders, partners, provincial governments, and Indigenous organizations.
In addition to the $6.1 million, the Government of Canada is also investing $1 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year to support new projects focussed on Atlantic salmon conservation and the objectives set out in the Strategy. A call for proposals process will be launched in the coming months for projects specifically targeting Atlantic salmon.
The Government of Canada is committed to the conservation of wild Atlantic salmon populations and will continue to ensure that the best knowledge and information is available to support decision making, climate resilient actions and mitigate threats to this iconic species.
