March 17, 2008 ● Fredericton, NB - The Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation (ASCF) is “open for business,” Honourable Rémi Bujold, the Foundation's Chairman, declared today. Established in February 2007, the Foundation is now set for its first round of funding applications. A total of $300,000 will be awarded in 2008.
The Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation is a volunteer, non-profit, charitable organization that was established with the goal of helping to achieve healthy and sustainable wild Atlantic salmon stocks in Atlantic Canada and Québec. Funded with a start-up grant of $30 million through agreement with the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, the Honourable Loyola Hearn, the Foundation has created a trust fund to promote and strengthen partnerships among groups working to conserve wild Atlantic salmon. Conservation projects and program administration will be financed from interest earned by the trust fund.
“The Foundation wishes to fund high-quality initiatives focused on conservation of wild Atlantic salmon and salmon habitat, as presented by partnerships among groups working at the watershed level,” Hon. Bujold explained. “By working with volunteer conservation groups, First Nations, municipalities, industrial bodies and others, we hope to identify and support creative, relevant and suitable initiatives to preserve this important resource.”
Categories of eligible projects include: development of salmon and salmon habitat conservation plans for a watershed or sub-watershed (watershed planning); conservation, rebuilding and restoration of wild Atlantic salmon and salmon habitat; restoring access of wild Atlantic salmon to salmon habitat; and public education and awareness of the importance of conservation of wild Atlantic salmon and its habitat.
All proposals for funding will be submitted through the ASCF website (www.salmonconservation.ca), which will provide a complete application environment. Applications from conservation groups, Aboriginal organizations, municipalities and industrial bodies in the Atlantic Provinces and Quebec will be accepted. All eligible applications will be reviewed by the Foundation’s provincial advisory committees to ensure that provincial priorities are addressed.
“The Foundation seeks to provide a fair, balanced and predictable allocation of funding to each province on an annual basis,” said Hon, Bujold. “It will be a reliable and long-term supporter of salmon conservation by community partners.”
Deadline for applications is 30 April 2008 at 5:00 p.m. EST. Successful applicants will be notified no later than mid-June 2008 to allow adequate lead-time for summer and fall activity.
Director of Regional Programs
Atlantic Salmon Federation
(902) 628-4349
Atlantic Salmon Endowment Fund Cheque Presented
January 23rd 2007
The Cheque was presented on January 23rd at ASF headquarters in St Andrews NB, L-R Gary Spencer President of NB Salmon Council, Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, and Mr. Remi Bujold, President of the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation.
Here is the link to details announced Feb 24th 2005
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/media/infocus/2005/20050223/funding_7_e.htm
I take this opportunity to welcome you to this announcement of the Atlantic Salmon Endowment Fund on behalf of the New Brunswick Salmon Council.
Overall Atlantic Salmon returns were encouraging on several of the major salmon producing rivers in New Brunswick in 2006. Despite this welcome news, significant challenges remain with vast expanses of habitat in southern New Brunswick practically void of Atlantic Salmon as well as province wide issues surrounding protection, conservation and enhancement of this magnificent fish. We all must improve our efforts to conserve and protect this valuable resource, cultural icon and awesome creature.
It remains a priority that we continue to inform our governments to raise the importance given to this resource and to have them work in earnest to enhance, conserve and protect it. To achieve this we will continue to work cooperatively with all levels of government on a wide range of issues including habitat stewardship, downstream smolt passage on the Saint John River, gillnet harvesting, invasive species, public education and watershed management issues.
Some action is urgently required on the Bay of Fundy Rivers where Salmon returns remain at critically low levels.
The New Brunswick Salmon Council is working with its affiliate network and the Atlantic Salmon Federation in a combined effort to restore the Atlantic salmon to sustainable numbers in our rivers. Our affiliated organizations provide exciting projects for salmonids throughout New Brunswick utilizing a community based volunteer network. We anticipate that this announcement will support these efforts into the foreseeable future.
We thank you for your continued support and please have a pleasant day.
Gary Spencer, P. Eng.,
President,
New Brunswick Salmon Council Inc.
http://www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/os/habitat/stewardship-intendance-e.php
http://www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/os/habitat/stewardship-intendance-f.php