Minister MacKay Announces Government Support for Recreational Fisheries Conservation Projects in Central Nova

PICTOU COUNTY, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwired - Sept. 2, 2014) - The Honourable Peter Mackay on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced that, under the second round of the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program, the Government of Canada will provide over $53,000 to three projects in Pictou, Antigonish and Guysborough Counties. The three organizations receiving funding are the St. Mary's River Association (up to $23,250), the Pictou County Rivers Association (up to $20,000) and the Antigonish Rivers Association (up to $10,000) for projects that will rebuild, restore and rehabilitate fish habitat.

The Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program was announced in Economic Action Plan 2013 to support fisheries habitat restoration projects led by recreational fishing and angling groups, as well as conservation organizations, in communities across the country. Given its early success and high demand, an additional investment in Economic Action Plan 2014 increased the funding available through the program to a total investment of $25 million.

On May 15, 2014, the federal National Conservation Plan was launched to provide a more coordinated approach to conservation efforts across the country. Since 2006, the Federal Government has taken important steps to conserve and restore our country's natural environment and connect Canadians to our rich natural heritage. To date, the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program has invested nearly $6 million (Round I), in 94 fisheries habitat restoration projects across Canada and funding to support up to an additional 127 projects (Round II) is currently underway. Details about the program can be found on the Program's Web site (www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pnw-ppe/rfcpp-ppcpr/index-eng.html) where one can also sign up for updates.

Quick Facts

• Up to $5.5 million for 127 projects to restore recreational fisheries habitat through Round II has been approved nationally.
  
  
• Under the second round of the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program, over $53,000 had been made available for three projects in Nova Scotia.
  
  
  • St. Mary's River Association - West River (St. Mary's) Habitat Improvement project will start the restoration selecting a short section (approximately) 400 metres of river, identifying the necessary structures and repairs, and carrying out the work to restore the river habitat: up to $23,250.
    
    
  • Pictou County Rivers Association - Salmon Conservation and Stewardship Program for Pictou County project will complete in-stream fish habitat restoration work in four streams: Six-Mile Brook, West Branch River John, Upper Barneys River and Marshy Hope Brook: up to $20,000.
    
    
  • Antigonish Rivers Association - Pomquet River Bank and Riparian Rehabilitation project will restore the river bank of the Pomquet River where large amounts of soil and other fine sediments have been eroding into the river, causing a degradation of spawning grounds and the infilling of pools, both of which are vital to the survival of juvenile Atlantic Salmon: up to $10,000.
    
    

Quotes

"Protecting our geographic heritage in communities across the country for all to enjoy, is a priority for our Government. We are committed to supporting projects like these, where individuals and organizations come together to protect and improve fishing habitats along the shores of lakes, rivers and streams for the benefit of future generations. Recreational fishing is an important economic activity which attracts thousands of visitors to Canada, with many of them right here to Nova Scotia, and contributes billions of dollars to our economy every year. These projects, funded by the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program, will benefit our Antigonish, Pictou and Guysborough communities for years to come."

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Member of Parliament for Central-Nova