GRAND
FALLS-WINDSOR, NL, July 12,
2024 /CNW/ - Canada's oceans and waterways are home to
diverse ecosystems that play an important role in the health of
Canadians and the environment. Climate change, pollution, and
shipping activities can impact marine life. Through Canada's Oceans Protection Plan, the
Government of Canada is increasing
protections and further preserving these important marine
ecosystems.
Today the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic
Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Diane
Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast
Guard, announced $1.2 million in
funding, under the Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund (AERF), to
support wild Atlantic salmon in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The funding is going towards the Environment Resources
Management Association (ERMA) - Exploits River Atlantic Salmon
Collaborative Watershed Restoration Approach. A collaboration
between ERMA and Memorial University of
Newfoundland and Labrador
(MUNL), the project will investigate strategies to improve the
productivity of wild Atlantic salmon in the province, by focussing
on the species' spawning areas and food resources, and supporting
watershed-specific restoration plans.
As part of the Oceans Protection Plan, AERF supports projects
that contribute to restoration priorities in coastal and upstream
areas that have a direct impact on coastal aquatic ecosystems;
contribute to the development and implementation of aquatic
restoration plans; and stimulate partnership with Indigenous
Peoples, conservation groups, and academia to address threats to
Canadian aquatic species and habitats. Activities funded under AERF
help to address the root causes of impacts on those environments,
and help protect and restore aquatic habitat for Canada's coastline, estuaries, and inland
regions.
The Oceans Protection Plan is a Canadian success story. When
Indigenous Peoples, industry, communities, experts, academia, and
government work together to protect our environment, grow our
economy, and support good jobs across the country, we deliver real
results. Canada's Oceans
Protection Plan is keeping our oceans and coasts healthy, advancing
reconciliation, and building a clean future for our children and
grandchildren.
Quotes
"The Government of Canada is
committed to taking action to restore and safeguard the health of
our ocean and freshwater ecosystems. We are proud to help fund the
work of these recipients in restoring and enhancing priority
coastal and upstream aquatic areas. Working together, we can
enhance our abilities to combat climate change through aquatic
restoration activities."
The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries,
Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
"Canada's Oceans Protection
Plan's Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund will protect and restore
aquatic environments across Newfoundland and Labrador. This important funding will improve
productivity for wild Atlantic salmon and grow our economy."
The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Transport
"Newfoundland and Labrador has some of the best wild Atlantic
salmon rivers in the world. They support our communities through
tourism and are important part of our way of life. We are making
sure they are part of our future, too."
The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic
Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency
"Funding provided by DFO through the Aquatic Ecosystems
Restoration Fund will provide ERMA with 1.2
million dollars over three years to investigate bottlenecks
that limit the freshwater productivity of wild Atlantic salmon in
Newfoundland and Labrador. A collaborative team from ERMA and
Memorial University of Newfoundland
will examine strategies to improve productivity of Atlantic salmon.
The Exploits River is the largest producer of wild Atlantic salmon
in Newfoundland and our project
will assist in providing a sustainable run for future
generations"
Kevin Sheppard, vice chair of
ERMA Board of Directors.
Quick Facts
- Since 2016, the Government of Canada has dedicated $3.5 billion to the Oceans Protection Plan,
making it the largest investment Canada has ever made to protect its coasts and
waterways.
- In December 2022, the Government
of Canada announced an investment
of $75 million over five years for
the Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund, as part of the expanded
Oceans Protection Plan, to support projects that conserve and
restore priority coastal and upstream aquatic areas.
- The Government of Canada made
significant investments in the Restoration Community under the
Coastal Restoration Fund in 2017, and the Aquatic Ecosystems
Restoration Fund continues to bring Indigenous groups, resource
users, community organizations and other groups together to
encourage local capacity to support aquatic habitat restoration,
maintenance and revitalization.
- The project will provide four full-time positions, two summer
students and two seasonal technicians over the three-year span of
the work.
Associated Links
- Protecting our coasts through the Oceans Protection Plan
- Better protected coastal ecosystems
- Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund
Stay Connected
- Follow Fisheries and Oceans Canada on X (Twitter), Facebook,
Instagram and YouTube.
- Follow the Canadian Coast Guard on X (Twitter), Facebook,
Instagram and YouTube.
SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada