Thursday, March 15, 2007

NEWS RELEASE

Healthy Watersheds – Healthy Fisheries Workshop

For immediate release March 15, 2007

St. Andrews, NB... A Healthy Watersheds – Healthy Fisheries workshop to be held at the Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre (HJFFC) in Fredericton, NB from March 22 to March 24, 2007 will provide a valuable opportunity to learn about the science, policy, programs and funding mechanisms available to protect eastern Canada’s aquatic resources.

Non-governmental and community organizations, conservation agencies, government and industry representatives will meet to examine issues related to watershed management and become better stewards by working together. The workshop is a must for all those involved in community watershed management.

Registration is limited, but some space remains. To register, visit the NBSC and ASF websites:

www.nbsalmoncouncil.com/

www.asf.ca/cleanwatersheds/index.html

or inquire at (506) 459-7179, watershedconference@rogers.com

“The planning and organization of this workshop is an example of partnership at its best,” states Gary Spencer, President, New Brunswick Salmon Council (NBSC). “The NBSC, together with representatives from the NB Departments of Natural Resources, Environment, Agriculture and Aquaculture, Fisheries & Oceans Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canadian Rivers Institute and the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) are presenting a program that participants will find very informative.”

Registration will take place at the HJFFC at 7pm on Thursday March 22nd. The Hon. Donald Arseneault, NB’s Minister of Natural Resources, and Mr. Spencer will welcome participants to the formal sessions which begin on Friday, March 23rd at 9am. Guest speakers from across the Maritimes, Ontario and Alberta will discuss topics such as: Tools for Fisheries Management, Fish Habitat Restoration and Available Funding, Aquatic Invasive Species, Riparian Health, Water Quality and the Importance of Wetlands.

Lorne Fitch of Cows and Fish will be the featured speaker at the Friday night banquet. Cows and Fish, a non government organization located in Alberta, has strived to promote the improvement of riparian areas and their ecological processes and functions for the past 15 years. Through collaborative partnerships and proactive community-based actions they create a better understanding of how improvements in farm management in riparian and upland areas can enhance landscape health and productivity as well as improve fisheries.

The Atlantic Salmon Federation is an international, non-profit organization that promotes the conservation and wise management of wild Atlantic salmon and their environment. ASF has a network of seven Regional Councils (Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Maine and Western New England), which have a membership of 135 river associations. The Regional Councils cover the freshwater range of wild Atlantic salmon in Canada and the United States.

Contact: Patricia Edwards - NB, Regional Director

Atlantic Salmon Federation

506 536-3051 (Office) 506 364-5324 (Cell)

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