St. Andrews -  The Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) has recognized 38 outfitting camps involved in recreational Atlantic salmon fishing for their commitment to releasing salmon to continue their spawning runs.  "We inducted these camps into our Live Release Rewards and Recognition Program for promoting live release of salmon of all sizes, not just the ones required to be released by law," said Bill Taylor, President of ASF.  In addition to outfitting camps, ASF has inducted 17 private camps into its rewards and recognition program.

Mr. Taylor continued, "As numbers of large salmon that migrate all the way to West Greenland remain below minimum conservation levels, smaller salmon, known as grilse, that migrate to feeding grounds closer to home, become even more important in seeding rivers for future runs".

With the runs of grilse plummeting in 2009, leadership in voluntary release becomes especially important.   Salmon and grilse abundance in North America declined from 1.8 million in 1975 to 425,000 in 2001.  Since 2002, salmon and grilse populations have been slowly increasing, thanks in part to ASF's agreement with Greenland's fishermen to suspend their commercial salmon fishery and to more anglers practicing live release.  With poor grilse runs in 2009, further decline is expected when scientists report next spring on this year's runs.  Fewer migrating salmon means that every salmon that does return is vital and should be allowed to spawn.

Some outfitting camps, such as the Restigouche Salmon Lodge on the Restigouche River in northern New Brunswick - a recent inductee into ASF's recognition program, insist that their clients release all their fish.  Regulations actually permit the kill of 8 grilse in New Brunswick each season.

In Northern Labrador, Jim Burton, owner of the Flowers River Lodge, a member of ASF's Live Release Rewards and Recognition Program, attributes the increase of salmon to the Flowers River on his insistence that anglers practice total live release.  Regulations on the Northern Labrador rivers allow anglers to retain four fish, one of which can be a large fish. 

On the Grand Cascapedia in Quebec, a release rate hovering around 90% for many seasons, coupled with this year's agreement with the Gesgapegiag Native Band to suspend fishing on that river, resulted in good returns this season.  Anglers caught and released many large salmon.  On the Grand Cascapedia, regulations allow, prior to September 1, any salmon estimated to weigh less than 15 pounds to be killed, and after September 1, only grilse can be killed.

In Prince Edward Island, where salmon runs are especially poor, forward thinking regulations were put in place this season that permit no kill whatsoever.

In Nova Scotia, because of declining salmon runs, catch and release is required on most rivers, with the exception of the Margaree River and the Northumberland Strait rivers.  On these rivers, kill tags for grilse have been reduced to four and anglers must have one tag at all times to ensure the validity of their fishing licenses. 

Mr. Taylor concluded, "Anglers that voluntarily release salmon and grilse that the law would allow to be killed show great leadership.  Reducing mortality of salmon and grilse requires the cooperation of the recreational salmon fishing industry, anglers, First Nations and regulators.  Live release is a cornerstone of the angler conservation movement."

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The Atlantic Salmon Federation is an international, non-profit organization that promotes the conservation and wise management of wild Atlantic salmon and their environment.  ASF has a network of seven regional councils (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Maine and Western New England).  The regional councils cover the freshwater range of the Atlantic salmon in Canada and the United States.

For more information on ASF or ASF's live Release Program, visit:  http://asf.ca/live_release.php

A list of ASF Recognized Live Release Camps follows:

ASF Contact:  Muriel Ferguson, Communications   506 529-1033 or 506 529-4581

Atlantic Salmon Federation Live Release Recognition Program
Camps and Outfitters Recognized for their Live Release Programs:

QUEBEC OUTFITTERS (12)
Auberge du Saumonier Lodge
Camp Bonaventure
Camp Brulé
Gourmet Salmon Lodge
Pourvoirie des Lacs Robidoux
Pourvoirie Haute Moisie Inc.
Pourvoirie Moisie-Nipisiss, Inc.
Québec Sporting Inc.
St. Paul's Salmon Fishing Club, Inc.
Salmon Lodge
Société de Guides au Saumon
St. John Salmon Club of Gaspé
 
QUEBEC PRIVATE (1)
Camp New Derreen
 
NOVA SCOTIA OUTFITTERS (4)
Big Intervale Fishing Lodge
Cape Breton Fly Fishing Adventures
Green Highlander Lodge
Tight Lines Guide Service
 
NOVA SCOTIA PRIVATE (1)
Pomquet Fishing Lodge

NEW BRUNSWICK OUTFITTERS (7)
Miramichi Black Rapids Lodge
Ledges Inn
Miramichi Inn
Pond's Resort
Restigouche River Lodge
Upper Oxbow Outdoor Adventures
Wilson's Sporting Club
 
NEW BRUNSWICK PRIVATE (13)
Restigouche Salmon Lodge
Black Brook Salmon Club
Boland Brook Camp
Fishbone Camp
Grilse & Grouse Inc.
Kedgwick Salmon Club Inc.
MacLennan Lodge
Messler Salmon Camp
Millbrook Farm
Miramichi Rod & Gun Club Inc.
Ristigouche Salmon Club
Runnymede Lodge
Sutter Salmon Club
Two Brooks
 
PEI OUTFITTERS (1)
Fly Fish the Island

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR OUTFITTERS (15)
Bayview Outfitters
Dhoon Lodge
Flowers River Lodge Ltd.
Grey River Lodge
Heritage River Outfitting
Huxter's Salmon Lodge
Labrador Salmon Lodge
Little Harbour Deep Lodge
Lucky Strike Lodge
Main River Safari
Ocean Side Country Lodge
Salmon Hole Lodge
Tuckamore Lodge Ltd.
Twin Lake Outfitters
Wulff Lake Salmon Lodge Limited
 
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR PRIVATE (1)
Sand Hill River Lodge