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Latest News ATLANTIC SALMON CONSERVATION FOUNDATION TO AWARD $250,000 IN SECOND ROUND OF FUNDING APPLICATIONS

"The Foundation is very excited to recognize the first group of applicants to have received funding," ASCF Chair Honourable Rémi Bujold said at the announcement. Some 50 applications were submitted by conservation, environmental, sports angling and Aboriginal groups in Atlantic Canada and Quebec.

"Some $250,000 is available to fund high-quality initiatives focused on conservation of wild Atlantic salmon and salmon habitat in Atlantic Canada and Québec," said Chase. Allocations for each of the five provinces will be $50,000.

The Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation is a volunteer, non-profit, charitable organization established in February 2007 with a start-up endowment of $30 million from the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans. By working with volunteer conservation groups, First Nations, municipalities, industrial bodies and others, the Foundation hopes to identify and support creative, relevant and suitable initiatives to help achieve healthy and sustainable wild Atlantic salmon stocks.

Fifty applications were submitted during the Foundation's first round of funding last year. Twenty-one projects received grants in amounts reaching as high as $44,500.

Categories of eligible projects include: development of salmon and salmon habitat conservation plans for a watershed or sub-watershed (watershed planning); conservation, rebuilding and restoration of wild Atlantic salmon and salmon habitat; restoring access of wild Atlantic salmon to salmon habitat; and public education and awareness initiatives focused on the importance of conservation of wild Atlantic salmon and its habitat.

Applications from conservation groups, Aboriginal organizations, municipalities and industrial bodies in the Atlantic Provinces and Quebec will be accepted. All eligible applications will be reviewed by the Foundation's provincial advisory committees to ensure that provincial priorities are addressed.

Proposals for funding must be submitted through the ASCF website (www.salmonconservation.ca). Deadline to apply is 5 pm EST, Friday, December 19.

For more information on the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation, visit the website at www.salmonconservation.ca or contact the Foundation at chasesa@salmonconservation.ca.