Coastal Restoration Fund: Projects in New Brunswick
Restoration of the Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) in 4 rivers of North Kent County, New Brunswick
Recipient: Kopit Lodge
Project achievements: Physical restoration efforts along the Northumberland Strait watershed restored migration to fish on the South Branch/St. Nicholas River. The project collected:
- 11.4 km of habitat data within the Richibucto River Watershed
- 6.6 km of habitat data along the Kouchibouguac River
The improvement to habitat connectivity has had a direct benefit on:
- Atlantic salmon
- brook trout
- rainbow smelt
- gaspereau
Fund allocation: $929,434 over 5 years
Partners:
- Parks Canada - Kouchibouguac National Park
- Friends of the Kouchibouguacis
- Custom Research Ltd
Media Announcement:
Improving connectivity on Bay of Fundy coastal river systems through barrier removal and the application of fish passage science to improve the performance of fish ladders and tidal gates
Recipient: Ducks Unlimited Canada
Project achievements: The project increased connectivity on 2 coastal river systems in the upper Bay of Fundy.
Restoration efforts improved passage for alewife on 2 river systems (Missaquash and upper Tantramar Rivers) by:
- installing a new fishway
- barrier removal
- upgrades to dyke infrastructure
Advancements in fish passage benefit key species, such as:
- Atlantic salmon
- alewife
- blueback herring
- American eel
The data collected, in assessing the annual survival of the species, identified marine derived nutrient contributions into alewife spawning habitats.
Fund allocation: $985,228 over 5 years
Partners:
- Acadia University
- Irving Oil Limited
- Canadian Wildlife Service
- EOS Eco-Energy
- Mi'Kmaw Conservation Group
- Fort Folly Habitat Recovery Team
Media Announcement:
Quoddy Region River, Estuary and Coastal Restoration Action Plan
Recipient: Passamaquoddy Recognition Group
Project achievements: The project established plans and processes for the restoration of diadromous species migration to their native spawning, feeding and rearing grounds. It also improved the quality of the ecosystems ranging from the Skutik to the Lepreau river watersheds of New Brunswick.
In collaboration with partners, the project participated in the collection of data and monitoring of 8 rivers in both estuarine and freshwater environments. The Quoddy Restoration Field team conducted:
- 1,591 barrier surveys
- 3,264 physio-chemical barrier surveys
Data was assessed for the individual and cumulative impact of barriers on a watershed level to diadromous fish for current and future restoration.
Fund allocation: $1,593,300 over 5 years
Partners:
- Eastern Charlotte Waterways
- Conservation Council of New Brunswick – Fundy Baykeeper
- Alex Hoar
- Charles Verrill
Media Announcement:
Development of a Coastal Restoration Program for New Brunswick
Recipient: Anqotum Resource Management
Project achievements: During this project, Anqotum Resource Management purchased, installed and monitored up to 40,000 artificial reefs. They are in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence near these NB locations:
- Pointe Sapin
- Côte-Sainte-Anne
- Neguac
- Indian Island
- New Mills
Approximately 90,000 lobster larvae were released around the artificial reef sites. Data collected quantified the number of lobsters making use of the artificial reefs as their habitat. Estimates show the reefs are over 80% populated in the areas that were verified.
In total, 39,000 m2 of aquatic habitat was enhanced during the length of the project.
Fund allocation: $1,819,752 over 4 years
Partners:
- Homarus Inc.
The crew loading a pallet of concrete artificial reefs onto the boat. © Nelson Cloud
Fisherman is waiting for the signal that the boat is over the correct location to unload the artificial reef onto the sea floor. Pictured Leonard Alexander. © Nelson Cloud
Media Announcement:
Government of Canada Invests in New Brunswick's Eastern Shore through the Oceans Protection Plan
Inner Bay of Fundy Habitat Restoration: Petkoutkoyek and Amlamgog – The Petitcodiac and Memramcook Estuaries
Recipient: Fort Folly First Nation
Project achievements: Building on existing expertise and partnerships, the project advanced the recovery of the inner Bay of Fundy coastal ecosystem. To do so, it restored access to, and the quality of, aquatic habitat (freshwater and estuarine) for key species within Fort Folly's traditional territory. Four watershed wetland assessments, totaling a coverage of 124.11 hectares, were completed. In total, the project's efforts contributed to the restoration of 12,000 m2 of aquatic habitat.
Fund allocation: $785,600 over 3 years
Partners:
- Fort Folly Habitat Recovery
- Sentinelles Petitcodiac Riverkeepers
- Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance
- Village of Salisbury
Media Announcement:
Government of Canada invests in aquatic habitat through the Oceans Protection Plan
Development of a Marine Marsh Restoration Plan to prioritize sites where restoration and protection actions are required in southeastern New Brunswick (Northumberland Strait)
Recipient: University of Moncton
Project achievements: Restoration of the Grande-Digue spit (Shediac Bay) and breach infilling has:
- prevented sediment from silting up the seabed of the region
- prevented the degradation of habitats (including eelgrass and oyster beds)
- halted the decline in some mollusc populations
Capacity building throughout the length of the project trained staff from 4 of the watershed groups. This collaboration with partners provided:
- research data on the impact of culverts on tidal propagation and smelt and eel habitat
- mapping of potential measurement sites on public and private roads
Fund allocation: $246,787 over 2 years
Partners:
- Department of Energy and Resource Development, New Brunswick
- University of Moncton, History and Geography Department
- McGill University, Geography Department
- Dalhousie University, Truro
- Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Sub-Directorate for Fellowships outside Côte d'Ivoire
Media Announcement:
Government of Canada invests in aquatic habitat through the Oceans Protection Plan
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