Harper Government Invests in Round II Recreational Fisheries Conservation Projects in Nova Scotia

YARMOUTH, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwired - Nov. 4, 2014) - Member of Parliament Greg Kerr, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, highlighted today funding that the Government of Canada has provided to the "Cost-effective, innovative solutions for NS streams and barrier culverts" project. Under the second round of the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program, the Nova Scotia Salmon Association received $40,858 to support brook trout habitat restoration in West Nova.

Additionally, the Government of Canada has provided $166,380 of funding to four otherprojects across Nova Scotia. The organizations undertaking the fish habitat conservation projects are Sackville Rivers Association, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Cheticamp River Salmon Association, and the Atlantic Coastal Action Program Cape Breton.

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. 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 National Conservation Plan was launched to provide a more coordinated approach to conservation efforts across the country. Since 2006, the Government of Canada 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 under Round I in 94 fisheries habitat restoration projects across Canada, an additional 128 projects under Round II are receiving up to $5.5 million, and most recently over 80 projects are eligible for funding under Round III. 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 you can also sign up for updates.

Quick Facts

• Under the first round of the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program, up to $287,000 had been made available for six projects in Nova Scotia.
• Under the second round of the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program, up to $346,988 had been made available for 12 projects in Nova Scotia.
  • The Nova Scotia Salmon Association has been successful in its recent projects which led to improved waterways for migration which helped increase the abundance of brook trout. This project will help address embedded spawning and rearing habitat in sections of streams where traditional restoration methods may be difficult to implement ($40, 858).
  • Since 1988 the Sackville Rivers Association has been working to restore, protect, and preserve the Sackville River watershed. This project will continue its work to restore habitat for Atlantic salmon and Speckled trout in the Sackville River watershed ($4,500).
  • Through Ducks Unlimited Canada, the North Brook Project has been working towards improving fish passage to 43 kilometers of stream length on North Brook Marsh located near Canning in the Annapolis Valley, NS. This project will provide access to fish habitat for brook trout, white suckers and American eel, which has been restricted by a 35 year old fishway structure ($62,000).
  • Human impacts and poor bridge placement and design have negatively impacted the Cheticamp River. With this project, the Cheticamp River Salmon Association will improve fish passage, increase access to important upstream habitat, and restore impacted habitat ($61,000).
  • The Atlantic Coastal Action Program will aim to restore, rehabilitate, and rebuild salmonid habitat in the Lorraine Brook and its surrounding areas ($22,180).
• Under the second round, up to $5.5 million for 128 projects to restore recreational fisheries habitat has been approved nationally.
• Under the third round of the RFCPP, up to $6.8M was committed for over 80 projects nationally to be undertaken between 2014 and 2016.
• The fourth round of funding applications is now open until December 12, 2014.

Quotes

"Our Government is committed to supporting the individuals and organizations who are working along the shores of lakes, rivers and streams across this country to protect and restore fishing habitats for future generations. Recreational fishing is an important economic activity which attracts thousands of visitors to Canada and contributes billions of dollars to our economy every year. The projects funded by the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program will benefit Canadian communities for years to come."

Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament for West Nova