Atlantic Salmon Federation ACTION ALERT
Friday, June 1, 2012

ACTION ALERT - ANGLING SEASON IN NOVA SCOTIA
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The Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) is very concerned about the delayed salmon angling season on Nova Scotia salmon rivers that was due to open today, June 1. It is important that the conservation-minded anglers have a presence on the rivers.


Any prolonged closure can have a negative impact on those who care about the rivers, on the benefits to the economy of the recreational fishery (recently evaluated as worth $4.4 Million and providing 123 fulltime jobs annually), and on the monitoring of Atlantic salmon in those rivers.


It is imperative that DFO act quickly to resolve this issue in a manner that respects the Supreme Court of Canada's decisions on aboriginal rights yet also recognizes the important contributions that the conservation minded anglers make in the conservation and restoration of the species. The Margaree River met 500% of its conservation targets for wild Atlantic salmon in 2011 and can sustain well-managed fisheries with reasonable retention limits for First Nations as well as recreational fishermen. The same is true of other rivers open to angling.


The recent rebound in wild Atlantic salmon stocks is in no small part due to the hard work of conservation-minded anglers that are found on Nova Scotia's salmon rivers during the season. They give of their time and money to restore salmon populations.


We would urge ASF members and others to telephone and/or e-mail each of the following:


Regional Director General (Maritimes Region) - in Halifax - Faith Scattalon 902-426-2581, email: faith.scattalon@dfo-mpo.gc.ca


Acting Regional Director General (Gulf Region) - Francis Breau 506-851-7751, email: francis.breau@dfo-mpo.gc.ca


Office of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans - the Honourable Keith Ashfield 613-992-1067, email: keith.ashfield@parl.gc.ca


And don't forget to contact your Member of Parliament if you are in Canada.