Let's talk Atlantic Salmon

Welcome

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is seeking your help to finalize Restore, Maintain, Thrive: Canada’s national strategy to ensure the future of Atlantic salmon. Whether you are someone who works in the field of Atlantic salmon conservation, someone who has a stake in conserving wild Atlantic salmon, or someone who cares about the natural biodiversity of Canada, we encourage you to participate in this engagement process. Your perspective is valued!

Why Atlantic salmon are important

Wild Atlantic salmon is an iconic species in Atlantic Canada and Quebec that has held cultural and spiritual significance to Indigenous peoples since time immemorial, as well as being an important part of Canadians’ lives over many generations. A Gardner-Pinfold study conducted in 2022 estimates the GDP value of Atlantic salmon recreational fishery to be $218M. However, the social-cultural value of Atlantic salmon far exceeds its economic value: expressions of our interconnectedness to salmon are frequently made through science, literature, and the arts. Ecologically, Atlantic salmon are an indicator of environmental quality and ecosystem health and are important to maintaining the connectivity of nutrients derived from marine to freshwater ecosystems.

What the Strategy will do

The first-ever national strategy to restore and maintain Atlantic salmon populations and their habitat sets out a vision for the future of this species across its Canadian range. Paramount to this vision is creating space for the knowledge of Atlantic salmon accumulated by Indigenous peoples since time immemorial. Underlying all areas of this strategy is a commitment to work collaboratively to create the conditions necessary for Atlantic salmon to thrive. Through its vision, strategic outcomes, and outputs, the strategy serves as a guide for all aspects of Atlantic salmon restoration, science, and management, and is an important accountability document for Canadians as to how the species is stewarded.

Taking into consideration ‘what we heard’ through ongoing conversations with Indigenous peoples, extensive feedback received over the course of nearly two years of engagement, and the expertise gained over decades of study, four strategic outcomes have been proposed to guide the future of Atlantic salmon activities for the next twelve years (representing about 3 generations of Atlantic salmon):





A circular diagram with the vision in the centre with the four strategic outcomes along the circle. The vision of the Strategy is to create the conditions necessary for Atlantic salmon, Indigenous peoples, and the broader Atlantic salmon community to thrive. The four strategic outcomes are: • Strategic outcome 1: A collaborative place-based approach to restoration supports healthy, climate resilient Atlantic salmon populations. • Strategic outcome 2: Atlantic salmon-related processes and policies are aligned with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and its supporting Action Plan. • Strategic outcome 3: A vibrant, inclusive, and knowledgeable Atlantic salmon community is positioned for success. • Strategic outcome 4: Practices that support the management and protection of Atlantic salmon are transparent, well-informed, and responsive to the needs of salmon in a rapidly changing world.

Welcome

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is seeking your help to finalize Restore, Maintain, Thrive: Canada’s national strategy to ensure the future of Atlantic salmon. Whether you are someone who works in the field of Atlantic salmon conservation, someone who has a stake in conserving wild Atlantic salmon, or someone who cares about the natural biodiversity of Canada, we encourage you to participate in this engagement process. Your perspective is valued!

Why Atlantic salmon are important

Wild Atlantic salmon is an iconic species in Atlantic Canada and Quebec that has held cultural and spiritual significance to Indigenous peoples since time immemorial, as well as being an important part of Canadians’ lives over many generations. A Gardner-Pinfold study conducted in 2022 estimates the GDP value of Atlantic salmon recreational fishery to be $218M. However, the social-cultural value of Atlantic salmon far exceeds its economic value: expressions of our interconnectedness to salmon are frequently made through science, literature, and the arts. Ecologically, Atlantic salmon are an indicator of environmental quality and ecosystem health and are important to maintaining the connectivity of nutrients derived from marine to freshwater ecosystems.

What the Strategy will do

The first-ever national strategy to restore and maintain Atlantic salmon populations and their habitat sets out a vision for the future of this species across its Canadian range. Paramount to this vision is creating space for the knowledge of Atlantic salmon accumulated by Indigenous peoples since time immemorial. Underlying all areas of this strategy is a commitment to work collaboratively to create the conditions necessary for Atlantic salmon to thrive. Through its vision, strategic outcomes, and outputs, the strategy serves as a guide for all aspects of Atlantic salmon restoration, science, and management, and is an important accountability document for Canadians as to how the species is stewarded.

Taking into consideration ‘what we heard’ through ongoing conversations with Indigenous peoples, extensive feedback received over the course of nearly two years of engagement, and the expertise gained over decades of study, four strategic outcomes have been proposed to guide the future of Atlantic salmon activities for the next twelve years (representing about 3 generations of Atlantic salmon):





A circular diagram with the vision in the centre with the four strategic outcomes along the circle. The vision of the Strategy is to create the conditions necessary for Atlantic salmon, Indigenous peoples, and the broader Atlantic salmon community to thrive. The four strategic outcomes are: • Strategic outcome 1: A collaborative place-based approach to restoration supports healthy, climate resilient Atlantic salmon populations. • Strategic outcome 2: Atlantic salmon-related processes and policies are aligned with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and its supporting Action Plan. • Strategic outcome 3: A vibrant, inclusive, and knowledgeable Atlantic salmon community is positioned for success. • Strategic outcome 4: Practices that support the management and protection of Atlantic salmon are transparent, well-informed, and responsive to the needs of salmon in a rapidly changing world.

  • Have your say!

    The questionnaire will take you approximately 10-30 minutes to complete depending on your level of interest and how much you would like to share. Your answers will remain anonymous and confidential. If you are responding on behalf of an organization, please consider providing your contact information. The complete draft Strategy is available in the documents section of this platform for your review, or you can comment on the key elements that are provided in the questionnaire. Engagement activities with Indigenous people across Atlantic Canada and Quebec are ongoing, following mutually agreed upon engagement protocols.

    Note that your answers will not be submitted until you reach the end of the questionnaire Do not use your browser’s ‘back’ or ‘forward’ buttons, but only the ‘back’ or ‘forward’ buttons from the questionnaire.


    Questions or comments? Reach out to our team at:  dfo.atlanticsalmon-saumonatlantique.mpo@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

    Take Questionnaire