Engagement on Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Strategy
Current status: Closed
Engagement on the draft elements of the Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Strategy was open on Let’s Talk Atlantic Salmon from October 11, 2022 to December 2, 2022.
Over the past decade, DFO has heard a growing sense of urgency and concern from Indigenous peoples, Indigenous organizations, partners and stakeholders about the state of wild Atlantic salmon. In response, the Government of Canada has committed to the development of a conservation strategy, to restore and rebuild wild Atlantic salmon populations and their habitats. Once complete, the WASCS will align conservation actions with the goal of the Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Policy, and adopt its guiding principles throughout its implementation.
By working together, we can achieve better outcomes for Atlantic salmon, salmon habitat, and ecosystems. To this end, we will be creating new ways to engage and consult with Indigenous peoples, Indigenous organizations, partners and stakeholders, while respecting existing processes and obligations.
Atlantic salmon engagement: An ongoing conversation
Engagement and collaboration will help define the WASCS and support its future implementation. WASCS engagement is best described as an ongoing conversation, which started in summer 2021, will lead to the publication of the strategy itself, and will continue through the implementation.
Early engagement
Our engagement activities began in July 2021, with a series of bilateral discussions about Atlantic salmon conservations with Indigenous peoples, Indigenous organizations, partners and key stakeholders. Discussions held during this early engagement period focused on the near-completion of the Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Policy Implementation Plan (2019-2021) and lessons learned throughout its implementation. These discussions were punctuated by the Federal election in October 2021, after which the Department resumed engagement activities empowered by the new Government of Canada commitment to formally develop a Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Strategy.
Draft elements of the WASCS
Draft elements of the WASCS were available for feedback on Let’s Talk Atlantic Salmon from October 11 – December 02, 2022. These draft elements respond to our early-stage engagement activities, as well as years of engagement with Indigenous peoples, Indigenous organizations, and stakeholders, and recommendations from various reports including:
- Status report on the Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Implementation Plan 2019-21;
- Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans’ “Wild Atlantic salmon in Eastern Canada (2017);
- Minister’s Advisory Committee’s “Special Report on Wild Atlantic Salmon in Eastern Canada” (2015).
Reviewing ‘what we heard’ and refining draft WASCS
Based on the feedback we received throughout our engagement process, we will develop the complete first draft of the WASCS. The complete first draft will be available for review and comment. A variety of other engagement opportunities will be made available to Indigenous people, Indigenous organizations, partners and stakeholders, to meet the obligations, needs and expectations of these groups.
Who is the focus of this engagement
The Government of Canada will continue to engage with:
- First Nations, Metis and Inuit (Indigenous peoples) following mutually agreed upon engagement protocols across Atlantic Canada and Quebec
- Indigenous organizations
- Partners and stakeholders
- Canadians generally interested in Atlantic salmon, conservation, or Canada’s natural biodiversity
What we are hearing
Interim reports
Related information
Contact us
Socio-Economic Policy team
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
200 Kent Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0E6
Email: DFO.AtlanticSalmon-Saumonatlantique.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
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