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Petitcodiac Renewal
In late Spring 2010 the Gates of the Petitcodiac are to swing open - and stay open for an evaluation period of two years.
Since 1968, a 'barrier' causeway, with gates seldom opened, has blocked the Petitcodiac to migration of fish, including Atlantic salmon. In summer 2007 the Province of New Brunswick finally agreed to replace this barrier with a bridge - but the battle is not yet over. Before the causeway, the Petitcodiac and its tributaries was the fourth-greatest Atlantic salmon river in New Brunswick.
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Acid Rain
Acid precipitation has killed the fish populations of 14 river in Nova Scotia's southern upland region. Twenty rivers have only 10% of their Atlantic salmon left, and another thirty are threatened. It also impacts the Pleasant and Dennys Rivers in Downeast Maine.
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Aquaculture
Since 1980 the salmon farrming industry around the North Atlantic Ocean has increased nearly exponentially. Crowded together in cages, farmed salmon are subject to epidemic outbreaks of diseases and parasites that can impact wild Atlantic salmon. In freshwater, salmon escaping from hatcheries can displace young wild salmon, jeopardizing the future of the species in that watershed.
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Endangered Species - U.S.
In late 2000 wild Atlantic salmon were listed as endangered in 8 Maine Rivers - Dennys, East Machias, Machias, Pleasant, Narraguagus, Cove Brook, Ducktrap and Sheepscot. On June 15, 2009, U.S. Federal authorities expanded the listing in two ways: 1. Added Atlantic salmon populations of three of the largest rivers in Maine, the Androscoggin, Kennebec and the Penobscot. The Penobscot has the largest Atlantic salmon run in the United States, and is an 'anchor' river for the species. (see National Register for expansion click here) 2. Designation of critical habitat areas in many of the salmon river watersheds in Maine. (see also National Register .pdf)
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Endangered Species - Canada
Canada's Atlantic salmon populations have declined greatly since the 1970s. In 2001 Inner Bay of Fundy salmon were declared endangered. In 2009 COSEWIC began consideration of listing all Atlantic salmon in Canada as endangered, giving this a high priority. More details available.
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Invasive Species
When a new species is released into an environment where it does not naturally occur, it can potentially destroy the existing natural balance, and even cause the extinction of particular populations or even entire species. Didymosphenia, called DIDYMO or "Rock Snot" is an emerging issue that directly affects several Gaspé rivers at this time.
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Mortality at Sea
For unknown reasons, the mortality rate of Atlantic salmon at sea is twice as high as it was in the 1970s, and no one knows why. Overall, scientific models are giving a mortality for North American salmon of about 3% per month. In order to understand the issues facing Atlantic salmon as they descend rivers, and travel out to sea, a new technology has been pioneered by ASF along with partners, particularly VEMCO, the company building the transmitters and receivers.
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Dams & Free Passage
Monitoring of salmon passing downstream and those returning from the ocean has shown that dams continue to be barriers to migration, and may cause high mortality. ASF is actively working to reduce the impact of dams on wild salmon. In Maine, ASF is committed to the Penobscot Restoration Project that includes dismantling two major dams, and major modifications of a third.
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Penobscot River Restoration Trust
The Penobscot River Restoration Trust is an unprecedented collaboration between ASF and other conservation groups, PPL Corporation (powerplant owner on the Penobscot), the Federal and State of Maine Governments, and the Penobscot Indian Nation. The plan, which has drawn international attention, would see the restoration of the lower river through dismantling of two major dams no longer necessary, major improvements in fish passage on a third dam, and in exchange, transfer of significant generating capacity to other dams on the Penobscot. It is a win-win situation for the river, for the economy, for the communities along the river, and for an entire river ecosystem.
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Greenland Agreement - and Mixed Population Fisheries
In 2010, ASF and the North Atlantic Salmon Fund will be in the ninth year of our agreement with Greenland’s fishermen to suspend their commercial salmon fishery. In those years, we have seen an increasing number of salmon returning to our rivers and 2008 was especially encouraging.
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Land Use
Land use practices can greatly affect Atlantic salmon runs. Forestry, agriculture and industrial development all need to be practised in a way that does not affect river systems and the living systems they contain.
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Federal Support - Canada
In recent years, Canada’s federal government’s financial and human investment in the wild Atlantic salmon resource has declined dramatically, despite its responsibility for maintaining this species. There are some recent signs of improvement however. In late 2006 Canada's Parliament approved a $30M Trust Fund to assist regional-based on-river restoration efforts.
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Live Release
Live Release of wild Atlantic salmon is a proven conservation tool. In the 21st century, anglers need to play their part in conserving and restoring Atlantic salmon runs.
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