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Minister Byrne Announces the Reconstruction of the Torrent River Fishway
The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of The Honourable Robert G. Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced today that the federal government will spend $1.38 million on the reconstruction of the Torrent River fishway and associated facilities at Hawkes Bay, Newfoundland.
“Fisheries and Oceans Canada considers Atlantic salmon to be a valuable resource and provides considerable economic and social benefits to Newfoundland and Labrador,” says Minister Byrne. “The efficient operation of the fish passage facilities is essential for conservation and sustainable utilization of this resource.”
The Torrent River fishway was originally constructed in 1965 as part of a successful Atlantic salmon enhancement project. The fishway provided sea-run Atlantic salmon and other freshwater fish species access to additional spawning and rearing habitat. The enhancement project resulted in significantly increasing the numbers of Atlantic salmon that return to the Torrent River from less than 500 to over 5000. The increased salmon production has attracted anglers and tourist resulting in significant economic benefits to nearby communities.
This project will see the reconstruction of the fishway and improvements to the associated facilities. Two viewing chambers, one for the public and another for monitoring operations, have been incorporated into the design of the fishway. The project will also include the construction of a new fishway attendant’s cabin and upgrading of the parking area and access road. Power and telephone lines will be supplied to the site. Such improvements will assist the local development association and the town of Hawkes Bay in their endeavor to promote the Torrent River falls as an important tourist attraction in the Hawkes Bay area.
“DFO is committed to working with our stakeholders in increasing public awareness and fostering good stewardship of the resource and monitoring of salmon at the fishway will provide the information to ensure maintenance of stable salmon stocks and sustainable economic benefits from the salmon resource,” says Minister Byrne.
The Torrent River fishway acts as a real-life laboratory for DFO scientists and students. Since its installation, DFO scientists have been compiling information on the number of salmon counted at the fishway, the angling catch downstream and the biological characteristics of the salmon.
On-land construction will begin in July 2003. In-water activities and construction will commence between late August and mid-September in order to accommodate the annual salmon run which primarily occurs between June 15 and August 15. Construction of the fishway will be completed by June 2004 to allow for the safe passage of salmon during the annual run.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Susan Keough
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
St. John’s, NL
(709) 772-7629
Caroline Quinn
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
(613) 992-3474
Torrent River Fishway Reconstruction
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