NEWS  What is happening in our community.

Three PEI projects receive ASCF funding for 2009

Three groups working to conserve wild Atlantic salmon stocks in Prince Edward Island will receive a total of $35,800 in funding from the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation (ASCF) this year. Details on each of the projects are as follows:

Souris & Area Branch Wildlife PEI Federation, $24,200
To do the necessary enhancement work to sustain and enhance the habitat for salmon in the North Lake, Naufrage, Priest Pond and Cross Rivers over the next three years

The North Lake, Naufrage, Priest Pond and Cross Rivers on Prince Edward Island are somewhat of a rarity. They are pristine, and have somehow been spared any agricultural influence.

While each of these rivers has reasonable annual native Atlantic Salmon runs, there is still room for improvement of their fish habitat, according to a study commissioned by the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation (ASCF) last year. The same study also targeted the Souris River, located in the Souris & Area Branch's Management Area, as a research river for work with Atlantic Salmon.

The Souris & Branch Wildlife PEI Federation will use its ASCF funding to do the necessary enhancement work identified in the report, so as to sustain and improve fish habitat in all of these rivers over the next three years. The ultimate outcome of this work will be healthy stocks of Native Atlantic Salmon in each of these rivers. This, in turn, could eventually lead to greater salmon fishing opportunities on Prince Edward Island

Contact: Fred Cheverie, Eastern Kings Watershed Coordinator
Phone: 902-687-3436
E-mail: fredc@isnhighspeed.ca

The Prince County Chapter of Trout Unlimited, O'Leary: $10,600
To deal with sediment and fish passage issues in the North Branch, Barclay Brook and Kennedy Creek tributaries of Trout River

If PEI's Trout River is ever to sustain a wild salmon population over the long term, two main issues must be addressed. Sediment entering the watershed system must be eliminated and fish passage must be assured. It is these areas which the Trout Unlimited Canada Prince Country Chapter (TUCPCC) plans to continue to address in 2009.

A second-year recipient of funding from the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation, TUCPCC will use this year's grant to excavate sediment traps on the North Branch at two strategic locations: a stream crossing which is washing out repeatedly, causing heavy sediment loads to enter the stream, will be replaced; and two laneways which are contributing to the silt load will be repaired.

The beaver problems which have long plagued the Kennedy Creek will also be worked on in consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Division. Tree planting will resume along river banks as deemed necessary, and the group will continue its educational efforts to make residents of the watershed aware that everyone has a part to play in a sustainable, healthy environment.

Contact: Dale Cameron, Project Co ordinator
Phone: 902-859-1552
E-mail: e_d_cameron@hotmail.com

The Prince Edward Island Council, Atlantic Salmon Federation, $1,000
To purchase replacement chiller incubation units to support the 'Fish Friends' program on PEI.

The Prince Edward Island Council of the Atlantic Salmon Federation would like to see every child in PEI calling themselves a "Fish Friend." The Fish Friends Program, which has been offered in PEI schools at the elementary grade 4 to 6 levels since 1992, aims to provide young students with an understanding of salmon and trout stocks in their area. The hope is that the program will help shape children's attitudes and make them more responsible decision makers when they become adults.

To continue this great program the Council needs to replace some of the equipment it's been using since, as the kids put it, "back in the day." The Council will use its ASCF funding to assist with the purchase of chiller incubation units so that school children in PEI will have many, many little fish to befriend in the future!

Contact: Mark Lanigan, President, PEI Council, ASF
Phone: 902-368-7865
E-mail: jmlanigan@irac.pe.ca