The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, today announced a series of initiatives and events to celebrate the International Year of the Salmon and to highlight Newfoundland and Labrador’s vital role in salmon conservation and management. Minister Byrne was joined at the Suncore Energy Fluvarium in St. John’s by students from Roncalli Elementary School.

The provincial launch is part of an international effort to highlight the importance of salmon and what people can do to better ensure the conservation and restoration of salmon and salmon habitats, especially in light of increasing environmental change. These ideas are reflected in the theme, “Salmon and people in a changing world,” with international events planned for 2019 and continuing into 2022. Partners include the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) and the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC), and other international partners.

Activities planned for Newfoundland and Labrador in 2019 include:

• A competition to design an official Provincial Salmon Fly to signify the Year of the Salmon;
• Five youth angling and salmon conservation education events;
• Youth essay and poster contests focusing on the importance of salmon to Newfoundland and Labrador;
• Creation of a salmon ecology exhibit at Salmonier Nature Park; and
• A mobile salmon conservation vehicle that will travel and attend public events.

The Department of Fisheries and Land Resources is conducting a two-year hook-and-release study specific to the province’s environmental conditions. This research will provide clear recommendations and scientific data the Provincial Government and Fisheries and Oceans Canada can use to make informed decisions on the implementation of hook-and-release angling for Atlantic salmon.

Please see the attached backgrounder for upcoming contest details. More information on other activities will be announced throughout the year.

Quote
“Newfoundland and Labrador is home to more than half of all remaining wild Atlantic salmon in North America – one out of two wild salmon comes from our waters. This province – the epicentre of the North American salmon resource and an internationally renowned salmon angling destination – plays a crucial role in the conservation of this species. Even more so than the eastern United States or other Atlantic Provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador offers some of the world’s finest salmon rivers and angling opportunities. The Provincial Government is committed to working in partnership with the Government of Canada to ensure that our treasured salmon resource is managed using science-based information, including provincially focused research, and the established values and interests of local anglers and salmon conservation groups.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources

– 30 –

Learn more

International Year of the Salmon

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @FLR_GovNL

Media contact
Linda Skinner
Fisheries and Land Resources
709-637-2284, 632-8167
lindaskinner@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Provincial salmon fly competition:
The winning pattern and information on its designer will be published on the department website. The competition begins March 15 and the deadline is April 15. Winners will be announced in May.

Essay contest:
An essay contest focusing on the themes of salmon conservation and responsible angling will open to youth in two categories: age 12 to 14, and 15 to 17. The contest begins March 15 and the deadline is April 15. Winners will be announced in May.

Poster contest:
A poster contest focusing on the themes of salmon conservation and responsible angling will open to youth age 12 and under. The contest begins March 15 and the deadline is April 15. Winners will be announced in May. Original posters will be displayed at Salmonier Nature Park beginning June 1, 2019.

Youth angling events:
Salmon-oriented youth angler workshops will be incorporated into provincial outdoor skills workshops currently sponsored by the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources from May to August. Workshop activities will focus on salmon conservation and biology, fishing techniques, angler ethics (hook and release), and impacts of poaching.

Salmon ecology exhibit:
Salmonier Nature Park Centre will develop a new onsite exhibit in its Wildlife Discovery Centre focusing on salmon ecology and conservation. The exhibit will include an aquatic display used to keep salmon fry for later release into the wild, and will be open to the public in the summer of 2019.

Participation in public events:
A mobile salmon education display will travel throughout Newfoundland and Labrador in 2019 to promote salmon conservation.

Salmon conservation legacy fund:
The Department of Fisheries and Land Resources will launch public consultations in the spring of 2019 to determine guidelines for a salmon conservation and management trust within the province.

Information on these and other initiatives will be available on the FLR website in the coming days.