Monday, October 18, 2004

St. Andrews – Canada risks a repeat of the “responsibility collapse” that devastated Atlantic groundfish populations a decade ago – this time by its failure to protect wild Atlantic salmon.

According to Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) president, Bill Taylor, "The federal department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has compromised the precautionary approach to managing the resource with: its failure to support fisheries protection officers in eastern Canada in their fight against poaching of returning spawners; the recent allocation of a ten-tonne Atlantic salmon fishery to a group in Labrador; and failing in their international obligations.”

When Mr. Taylor was in Ottawa last Thursday to accept the Roland Michener Conservation Award from the Canadian Wildlife Federation, he met with DFO Minister Geoff Regan. ‘The Minister made it clear,’ said Mr. Taylor, ‘that budgetary concerns are governing the Department's actions and abilities to respond to this fragile species. The Minister considers wild Atlantic salmon a priority, but so far does not have the support of government colleagues for new federal funding.”

Canada is simply continuing the recent legacy of downloading the burden of responsibility to volunteers and the provincial governments. Three years ago, ASF worked with the U.S. Department of Interior and State Department to negotiate the moratorium of the Greenland commercial fishery that was targeting U.S. and Canadian wild Atlantic salmon migrating through those waters, the vast majority of which came from the Atlantic region and Quebec. The subsequent improvements in Canadian wild Atlantic salmon returns can be directly linked to the successful moratorium, but Canada has been unwilling to join ASF and the U.S. government to help fund this five-year agreement.

“This season, healthier runs of wild Atlantic salmon to Canadian rivers became the target of poachers. It took the leadership of Newfoundland & Labrador Premier Danny Williams to stop poachers who were in effect slaughtering returning salmon in Newfoundland’s rivers,” Mr. Taylor noted. “The Humber River in Newfoundland used to have 17 full time wardens – now there is less than one full-time warden. Premier Williams acted by creating a provincial enforcement team to do the work that the federal government is mandated to do.” Throughout eastern Canada, the number of fisheries protection officers has declined sharply since the mid 1990s.

Recently, DFO approved a 10-tonne fishery to a group in Labrador that has identified itself as the Labrador Metis Nation, in the absence of any supporting research on the impact that harvesting thousands of wild Atlantic salmon will have. This new fishery is in addition to the Group’s participation in a resident trout fishery that already allows the kill of thousands of salmon as by-catch. ASF has formally requested from DFO any supporting conservation-based science and has yet to receive any from the Department.

Taylor said, "ASF is the first to recognize the importance of supporting special cultural and ceremonial rights of status First Nations, but we also believe that DFO has the responsibility to Canadians to make certain that it takes into account the conservation framework for at-risk species like wild Atlantic salmon."

“This one example also has ramifications on the international level,” Mr. Taylor explained, referring to the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO). NASCO has accepted scientific recommendations on the stewardship of wild Atlantic salmon among its signatory nations, which includes Canada. “The Government of Canada is represented at NASCO by DFO, and their decision to allow an additional Labrador fishery undermines our international obligations for the conservation of the species.”

“The facts are clear and the warning lights are on. DFO has ruled over the collapse and near extinction of other important fish species and resources in the past,” Taylor warned. “The Department's failure to take action on the river banks of eastern Canada to prevent poaching of fragile returning stocks – leaving provincial governments and volunteers to do their work – is not an acceptable or effective remedy.”

Mr. Taylor explained that the downloading even extends to scientific research the Department is responsible for. One of the key mysteries of declining salmon stocks is why there is such high mortality in the ocean. ASF has spent over 2 million dollars during the past five years on research to provide data to enable responsible action to prevent marine mortality. DFO should at least be equaling our contribution.

“I want to make clear that we have enjoyed a good relationship with DFO officials. We know that there are many concerned and dedicated scientists and officers stationed on the front lines. We also recognize that the Department had the vision 20 years ago to end eastern Canada’s commercial Atlantic salmon fishery and without that action, things would be a lot worse today. But, we’re very concerned that the good work accomplished and the hopeful indications in returning fish counts this year is being put at risk. ASF has a responsibility to ensure that the Department fulfills its mandate, and it would be tragic to allow the success of many years of effort and investment to be compromised by a failure to act," said Mr. Taylor.

“We realize that DFO can’t do everything alone.” Mr. Taylor concluded. “However, volunteer river associations, non-profit conservation groups, or financially-strapped provinces can’t do it alone either – and we’re doing more than the federal government in many key areas. The Department must provide more leadership and funding for wild Atlantic salmon conservation, protection and research.”

The Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) is an international non-profit organization that promotes the conservation and wise management of the wild Atlantic salmon and its environment. ASF represents seven regional councils that have a membership of 150 river associations and 40,000 people, throughout the North American range of the wild Atlantic salmon.

For further information, please contact:

Sue Scott, Atlantic Salmon Federation: 506 529-1027 or 506 529-4581 (switchboard)

Muriel Ferguson, Atlantic Salmon Federation: 506 529-1033 or 506 529-4581 (switchboard)

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