Halifax, Nova Scotia - Making our oceans and coasts safer, cleaner and healthier for all Canadians and future generations is a top priority for the Government of Canada.
Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, and the Member of Parliament for Central Nova, Sean Fraser, announced that the St. Mary’s River Association and the Nova Scotia Salmon Association will together receive up to $1.8 million over three years to restore watersheds and coastal habitats in Eastern Nova Scotia thanks to funding under the Oceans Protection Plan.
The project with St. Mary’s River Association aims to address issues of acidification in key salmon bearing streams and to continue to expand upon existing habitat restoration work on the West Branch. The goal of this project is to improve the aquatic habitat for many species including Atlantic salmon, Brook trout and American eel, that rely on both freshwater and coastal habitats throughout their life cycle.
The Nova Scotia Salmon Association will focus on the improvement of water quality and restoration of physical habitat in the West River, Sheet Harbour and its estuary. It is expected that many species will benefit from this restoration work, including Atlantic salmon, Brook trout, American eel, Alewife and Blueback herring.
In May 2017, the Government of Canada announced the $75 million Coastal Restoration Fund to help rehabilitate some of our most vulnerable coastlines and protect marine life and ecosystems. So far, partners have started over 30 multi-year projects that contribute to healthier habitats for fish on all of Canada’s coasts. All of these projects have included Indigenous involvement.
Launched in November 2016, the 5-year, $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan is the largest investment ever made to protect Canada’s coasts and waterways. Since the Plan’s launch, the Government of Canada has invested in hundreds of projects that are making our marine safety system stronger, and protecting our coastal environments and marine species more than ever before. Based on the latest science and technology, Indigenous partnerships and collaboration, these projects bring us closer to healthier, cleaner and safer oceans.
Source : Government Of Canada