Let's talk Atlantic Salmon

Pour la version française, cliquez ici

Welcome!

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is seeking your help to develop the Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Strategy (the strategy), to better support the conservation needs of this species across its Canadian range. 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! Ongoing opportunities for two-way dialogue will also continue, with further engagement activities being planned throughout the development of the strategy.


Current state of Atlantic salmon

Atlantic salmon populations are distributed over thousands of rivers across North America and Europe that drain into the North Atlantic Ocean, where salmon congregate to feed. In Canada, it is estimated that there are over 1,000 rivers that support Atlantic salmon.

Atlantic salmon populations are being affected negatively at every stage of their lifecycle by a combination of factors. While different populations may face different challenges, the most common factors impacting Atlantic salmon across their Canadian range include:

Most threats identified for Atlantic salmon fit under one of four broad themes: 1: A globe and thermometer depicts climate Change; 2. A fish and hook depicts legal and illegal fisheries, 3. A caution sign over water depicts habitat Degradation; and 4. A skeletal fish depicts high mortality at sea.


Beginning in the 1980s, Atlantic salmon stocks began to decline at an alarming rate. Canada responded by imposing increasingly restrictive management measures and ultimately closed its commercial fishery in 2000. Population declines continue in nearly all areas across their Canadian range despite these efforts. Urgent action is required to support conservation and continued social, cultural, ecologic and economic connections to this iconic species.


An image comparing two fish with different amounts of eggs. On one side, a fish with fewer eggs indicating that prior to 1990, it took approximately 1000 eggs to produce one surviving adult Atlantic salmon. On the other side, a fish with a greater number of eggs indicating that since 1990, it now takes approximately 2000 eggs to produce one surviving adult Atlantic salmon.
Figure 1. It now takes about double the amount of eggs to produce one adult (compared to the period prior to 1990) that will return to that same river to spawn – an indication of the multiple pressures facing the species throughout its complex life cycle. From ‘State of North Atlantic Salmon Report’, NASCO 2019.


Canada also ratified the Convention for the Conservation of Salmon in the North Atlantic Ocean in 1983, under which the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) was established. As a Party to this Convention, Canada has an obligation to contribute to the conservation, restoration, enhancement and rational management of salmon stocks in the North Atlantic.



Policy context


In 2018, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) published the Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Policy to provide a framework for the Government of Canada to meet its objectives for the conservation of wild Atlantic salmon. The goal of the policy is to restore and maintain healthy wild Atlantic salmon populations. The proposed Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Strategy (strategy) is intended to provide direction for what activities will be undertaken in support of this goal. It will capitalize on the experience, knowledge, and dedication shared by First Nations, Metis and Inuit (Indigenous peoples), Indigenous organizations, partners and stakeholders across the Atlantic salmon network, and provide a common thread amongst the vast array of conservation actions already succeeding on the water.


An image of a four-tiered pyramid describes the hierarchal relationship between Legislation, Policy, and Guidelines. At the top of the pyramid is legislation, like the Fisheries Act, that define legal requirements towards Atlantic salmon. Legal requirements are distinguished from high level departmental policy positions on the second tier, like the Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Policy, which are further distinguished from procedural guidance like the Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Strategy on the third tier. At the bottom of the pyramid, departmental plans and guidelines, like the Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Implementation Plan, help operationalize our legal and policy requirements.Figure 2. The legal hierarchy for the proposed Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Strategy. This pyramid distinguishes between wild Atlantic salmon legal requirements (legislation and regulations), high level departmental policy positions (WASCP) and procedural guidance on the work of the department (strategy and the WASC-IP 2019-21).



To ensure its alignment with the WASCP, the strategy will adopt the principles outlined in the policy throughout its development and implementation.


Principle 1 – Conservation

Management decisions must give the highest priority to the conservation of wild Atlantic salmon populations, their genetic diversity and their habitats.


Principle 2 - Sustainable use and benefits

Management decisions must respect the rights of Indigenous peoples, reflect best available science, and consider local and Indigenous traditional knowledge as well as the biological, social and economic consequences for Canadians.


Principle 3 - Precautionary approach and transparent decision making

Management decisions must apply the precautionary approach and must be made in an open, inclusive, and transparent manner.


Principle 4 - Shared stewardship

Shared stewardship means the active participation and inclusion of all government, Indigenous, and non-governmental stakeholders in decision-making to sustain and where required rebuild salmon populations.



What we heard

Engagement on the draft elements of the Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Strategy was open from October 11, 2022 to December 2, 2022. A summary report of what we heard has now been released.


Have your say!


This phase of engagement is now complete and DFO has now released a summary report of what we heard. The next phase of engagement will take place once the final draft of the strategy is complete. Keep an eye on this page for updates!

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


Pour la version française, cliquez ici

Welcome!

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is seeking your help to develop the Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Strategy (the strategy), to better support the conservation needs of this species across its Canadian range. 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! Ongoing opportunities for two-way dialogue will also continue, with further engagement activities being planned throughout the development of the strategy.


Current state of Atlantic salmon

Atlantic salmon populations are distributed over thousands of rivers across North America and Europe that drain into the North Atlantic Ocean, where salmon congregate to feed. In Canada, it is estimated that there are over 1,000 rivers that support Atlantic salmon.

Atlantic salmon populations are being affected negatively at every stage of their lifecycle by a combination of factors. While different populations may face different challenges, the most common factors impacting Atlantic salmon across their Canadian range include:

Most threats identified for Atlantic salmon fit under one of four broad themes: 1: A globe and thermometer depicts climate Change; 2. A fish and hook depicts legal and illegal fisheries, 3. A caution sign over water depicts habitat Degradation; and 4. A skeletal fish depicts high mortality at sea.


Beginning in the 1980s, Atlantic salmon stocks began to decline at an alarming rate. Canada responded by imposing increasingly restrictive management measures and ultimately closed its commercial fishery in 2000. Population declines continue in nearly all areas across their Canadian range despite these efforts. Urgent action is required to support conservation and continued social, cultural, ecologic and economic connections to this iconic species.


An image comparing two fish with different amounts of eggs. On one side, a fish with fewer eggs indicating that prior to 1990, it took approximately 1000 eggs to produce one surviving adult Atlantic salmon. On the other side, a fish with a greater number of eggs indicating that since 1990, it now takes approximately 2000 eggs to produce one surviving adult Atlantic salmon.
Figure 1. It now takes about double the amount of eggs to produce one adult (compared to the period prior to 1990) that will return to that same river to spawn – an indication of the multiple pressures facing the species throughout its complex life cycle. From ‘State of North Atlantic Salmon Report’, NASCO 2019.


Canada also ratified the Convention for the Conservation of Salmon in the North Atlantic Ocean in 1983, under which the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) was established. As a Party to this Convention, Canada has an obligation to contribute to the conservation, restoration, enhancement and rational management of salmon stocks in the North Atlantic.



Policy context


In 2018, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) published the Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Policy to provide a framework for the Government of Canada to meet its objectives for the conservation of wild Atlantic salmon. The goal of the policy is to restore and maintain healthy wild Atlantic salmon populations. The proposed Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Strategy (strategy) is intended to provide direction for what activities will be undertaken in support of this goal. It will capitalize on the experience, knowledge, and dedication shared by First Nations, Metis and Inuit (Indigenous peoples), Indigenous organizations, partners and stakeholders across the Atlantic salmon network, and provide a common thread amongst the vast array of conservation actions already succeeding on the water.


An image of a four-tiered pyramid describes the hierarchal relationship between Legislation, Policy, and Guidelines. At the top of the pyramid is legislation, like the Fisheries Act, that define legal requirements towards Atlantic salmon. Legal requirements are distinguished from high level departmental policy positions on the second tier, like the Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Policy, which are further distinguished from procedural guidance like the Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Strategy on the third tier. At the bottom of the pyramid, departmental plans and guidelines, like the Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Implementation Plan, help operationalize our legal and policy requirements.Figure 2. The legal hierarchy for the proposed Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Strategy. This pyramid distinguishes between wild Atlantic salmon legal requirements (legislation and regulations), high level departmental policy positions (WASCP) and procedural guidance on the work of the department (strategy and the WASC-IP 2019-21).



To ensure its alignment with the WASCP, the strategy will adopt the principles outlined in the policy throughout its development and implementation.


Principle 1 – Conservation

Management decisions must give the highest priority to the conservation of wild Atlantic salmon populations, their genetic diversity and their habitats.


Principle 2 - Sustainable use and benefits

Management decisions must respect the rights of Indigenous peoples, reflect best available science, and consider local and Indigenous traditional knowledge as well as the biological, social and economic consequences for Canadians.


Principle 3 - Precautionary approach and transparent decision making

Management decisions must apply the precautionary approach and must be made in an open, inclusive, and transparent manner.


Principle 4 - Shared stewardship

Shared stewardship means the active participation and inclusion of all government, Indigenous, and non-governmental stakeholders in decision-making to sustain and where required rebuild salmon populations.



What we heard

Engagement on the draft elements of the Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Strategy was open from October 11, 2022 to December 2, 2022. A summary report of what we heard has now been released.


Have your say!


This phase of engagement is now complete and DFO has now released a summary report of what we heard. The next phase of engagement will take place once the final draft of the strategy is complete. Keep an eye on this page for updates!

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


Page last updated: 08 Sep 2023, 07:19 AM