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Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation Opens for Business

2007/01/28 Fredericton -- The Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation will become a reality with yesterday’s announcement of the $30 million Atlantic Salmon Endowment Fund Grant by Honourable Greg Thompson. The federal funding will be invested in a trust fund by the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation, and the income earned on the investment will be used to fund projects that contribute to salmon restoration and conservation in Atlantic Canada and Quebec.

Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation President, Remi Bujold said, “I would like to commend Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Government for taking the steps to make this long awaited fund a reality for wild Atlantic salmon across Atlantic Canada and Québec. Realization of this goal is the work of many people.” He expressed special thanks to the many local, grassroots, salmon conservation organizations for their dedication pressing for the trust fund.

The volunteer Board of Directors of the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation represent the skills necessary to operate a major public trust fund. Board members were nominated by the grassroots conservation groups as people who could guide this much needed program.

Board members include:

• Brenda Gideon-Miller, Listuguj, Québec
• Alan Ledgerwood, Charlottetown, PEI
• Dr. Larry Felt , St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, (Board Vice-President)
• Henry Hicks, Halls Harbour, Nova Scotia
• Richard Oland Saint John, New Brunswick
• Rémi Bujold of St. Jules de Cascapedia, Québec, (Board President)

 Bujold noted that over the past two years the Board had worked closely with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to negotiate the funding agreement with the Government that will guide the structure and operations of the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation.

“We intend to respond to the Minister’s goal that we foster partnership among community groups, First Nations, federal and provincial governments to improve conservation of wild Atlantic salmon and salmon habitat at the watershed level,” he said.

In the coming weeks the new conservation organization will create advisory committees in each province to develop program guidelines and criteria and consult widely on plans and priorities. They will work closely with community-based conservation organizations, federal and provincial governments and First Nations to do this.