The federal government will conduct consultations on 12 Atlantic salmon populations.
Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson announced the plan on Nov. 5.
It could lead to listing the populations under the Species at Risk Act.
The populations range across the four Atlantic provinces and Quebec:
- Atlantic salmon (Anticosti Island population)
- Atlantic salmon (Gaspé Peninsula population)
- Atlantic salmon (Inner St. Lawrence population)
- Atlantic salmon (Nova Scotia Southern Upland East population)
- Atlantic salmon (Nova Scotia Southern Upland West population)
- Atlantic salmon (Outer Bay of Fundy population)
- Atlantic salmon (Quebec Eastern North Shore population)
- Atlantic salmon (Quebec Western North Shore population)
- Atlantic salmon (South Newfoundland West population)
- Atlantic salmon (South Newfoundland East population)
- Atlantic salmon (Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence and Cape Breton population)
- Atlantic salmon (Southern Labrador population)
According to a release from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, this step comes after a recent reassessment of Atlantic salmon populations by an independent committee.
“Atlantic salmon are an iconic species in Atlantic Canada and Quebec,” Thompson said in a statement.
“By consulting and engaging directly with Canadians, and working alongside Indigenous Peoples and partners, we can make better, informed decisions on how best to protect and conserve wild Atlantic salmon species for the long term.”
The department is seeking feedback from indigenous peoples, communities, recreational fishery groups and other stakeholders.
Along with information received regarding broader socio-economic and environmental implications, the feedback will help inform listing recommendations.
Feedback can be provided through the Species at Risk public registry.
Consultations will run from Nov. 2 to Jan. 29.
