November Newsletter 2017

I anticipate that when you read this you will likely be in full holiday season mode. Perhaps you are making New Year’s resolutions on how you can help improve salmon conservation, and I’m certain you are considering new angling opportunities, with improved salmon returns over 2017. I share those wishes with you!

As we look ahead to 2018, whether as conservation groups or as individuals, I suggest we need to consider transformation as necessary in what we do to best improve conservation of wild Atlantic salmon. I say this because as we witness lower salmon returns, we need to focus our efforts on what works, and what does not work, in improving conservation. Our goal is to allocate funding where it will make a positive difference to salmon populations in Quebec and throughout Atlantic Canada, so we will do our part to ensure that available funding is directed toward “what works”, then try to reinforce that effort.

For our November issue, we celebrate the volunteer contribution of Darryl Murrant, one of the newer members of our Nova Scotia Advisory Committee. Like many of us, Darryl acquired his salmon conservation “penchant” as a student, then went on to carve out a career with the Nova Scotia Fisheries Department. We are delighted to have Darryl’s expertise helping us focus salmon conservation funding in his home province.

Our featured project this month is the applied scientific research project carried-out by Dr. Michael van Zyll de Jong, a professor with the Grenfell Campus of the Memorial University of Newfoundland. Mike’s project examines the cumulative effect of road placement, in-stream barriers and climate change on wild Atlantic salmon population persistence and accessibility of suitable habitat. It’s important work from our perspective that we hope to share far and wide in informing the theme: “what works” and “what doesn’t work”, in efforts to improve access to salmon habitat.

As we bring the year to a close, we look forward to reviewing the 2018 funding proposals with our expert advisory committees and to working with our partners, old and new. Seasons’ Greeting to one and all!

Yours in conservation!

Stephen Chase

Executive Director