Charlottetown – The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans
Affairs and Minister Responsible for New Brunswick, today announced on behalf of
the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), that
Canada’s New Government will contribute $100,000 towards the PEI Salmonid
Enhancement Program. This community-based initiative will be managed by an
oversight committee made up of several non-government recreational fisheries and
wildlife interests. The PEI Wildlife Federation will coordinate the committee’s
work.
"This contribution of Canada’s New Government is an excellent opportunity for
our government to work together with recreational fisheries and wildlife groups
who are already involved in restoring and conserving wild Atlantic salmon and
brook trout populations on the Atlantic coast," said Minister Thompson. "This
investment will serve to enhance the salmon and trout populations on PEI, which
in turn will provide increased angling opportunity in the Island’s rivers."
Representative groups have been selected to sit on the oversight committee
which will be responsible for the management of the Salmonid Enhancement
Program. The groups include the PEI Wildlife Federation, the Atlantic Salmon
Federation, the Mill River Wildlife Federation, the Central Queens Wildlife
Federation, the Souris Wildlife Federation, the Morell River Management Coop,
the Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee and the PEI Chapter of Trout
Unlimited.
The participating groups will provide direction and advice with respect to
stocking requirements, and undertake a monitoring program to assess the benefits
of the enhancement project. The project is designed to support non-government
organizations to restore and revitalize the trout and salmon fisheries of PEI.
Angling is an important socio-economic activity on PEI, generating approximately
$3.5 million in direct and indirect spending each year.
The contribution is part of Canada’s New Government’s on-going commitment to
work collaboratively with community-based groups to support the viability of the
recreational fishery and promote the importance of protecting fish habitat on
PEI.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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Noëlla Richard
Communications Manager
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Gulf Region
506-851-7747
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NR-G-07-01E |
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