The wild Atlantic salmon is a species which contributes significantly to the economy of eastern Canadians through the recreational fishery and to the food and ceremonial requirements of Natives. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans must manage all fisheries, including the recreational fishery and Native fisheries on the precautionary principle, but it also must devolve some of the decision making to river communities who are the ultimate beneficiaries of healthy watersheds and healthy fish populations. Like the salmon, the recreational and Native fisheries rely on a pristine and healthy environment. The Atlantic Salmon Federation is carrying out a major public education and awareness program urging recreational salmon fishermen to safely release both grilse and large salmon. Our program has achieved tremendous success with many anglers releasing all their grilse as well as large salmon.
Anglers are very involved in conservation.
Many of them spend their time and money enhancing and restoring salmon populations and protecting their freshwater and marine environments. More than 800 schools in eastern Canada and New England, including all Native schools in Atlantic Canada, deliver Fish Friends. Thank you for your thoughtful editorials. The Atlantic Salmon Federation will continue to urge the Government of Canada to implement community watershed management to facilitate dialogue among all people in eastern Canada to conserve the species and to regulate fisheries to ensure healthy runs of wild Atlantic salmon for the benefit of all Canadians.