Leonard Nicholas, the fishery strategy director of Tobique First Nation, views Atlantic salmon as more than just fish; he sees them as kin or ancestors. According to Nicholas, the salmon have an ancient presence in the region and deserve conservation efforts to protect their declining population.
The Tobique River, where Nicholas resides, is a tributary of the Wolastoq (St. John River) and once teemed with tens of thousands of salmon in the 1980s. However, today, only a few hundred salmon return to the river’s Mactaquac Dam annually, as reported by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
While the salmon population struggles, the DFO’s Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility has played a crucial role in sustaining it. The facility has been likened to a life support system, keeping the salmon population alive but not thriving, as described by UNB biologist Tommi Linnansaari.
The facility’s operations involve transporting salmon past hydroelectric dams and raising juvenile salmon for release upriver to support reproduction efforts. Despite its vital role, the DFO plans to close the facility in the fall, raising concerns among First Nations and biologists about the future of the Wolastoq salmon.
Christine Lyons, a DFO spokesperson, highlighted the ongoing challenges in salmon returns despite significant conservation efforts over the years. The impending closure of the facility could spell the end for the Wolastoq salmon, also known as outer Bay of Fundy salmon.
Nicholas expressed dismay over the sudden announcement of the facility’s closure without prior consultation, complicating ongoing conservation efforts. He and his team have been actively involved in collecting and managing juvenile salmon from the Tobique River, seeking alternative solutions with the support of organizations like the Canadian Rivers Institute at UNB.
The plight of the Wolastoq salmon has raised questions about their endangered status, with concerns that political considerations may influence their classification under the Species at Risk Act. The decline in salmon populations due to various factors like dams, pollution, and climate change underscores the urgency of conservation efforts.
Efforts to advocate for the Wolastoq salmon’s conservation have extended to Ottawa, with representatives from First Nations communities presenting their concerns to the House of Commons fisheries and oceans committee. The engagement reflects the deep cultural and environmental significance of salmon to the Wolastoqey people.
As discussions continue on the endangered status of the Wolastoq salmon, stakeholders emphasize the need for collaborative efforts to protect this iconic species. The federal government’s decision-making process, intertwined with scientific assessments and socio-economic considerations, plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the Wolastoq salmon population.