2015 Submission to the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Atlantic

P.O. Box 377, Kensington, PEI C0B 1M0
www.peiwatershedalliance.org
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Submission to the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Atlantic Salmon
May 7, 2015
We applaud the Hon. Minister of Fisheries and Oceans for creating the Ministerial Advisory
Committee on Atlantic Salmon. It is our hope that the Ministerial Advisory Committee is
successful in determining the best course of action required to improve Atlantic salmon
abundance throughout the North Atlantic. Atlantic salmon are a symbol of a healthy
environment and the presence of this iconic species resonates with all Canadians. Given the life
history of this magnificent species, it is imperative we identify and act upon common goals that
benefit wild Atlantic salmon. The seriousness of the decline in this species cannot be
understated. Accordingly, we welcome this opportunity to present some of our views on the
status of wild Atlantic salmon on Prince Edward Island.
PEI is well known as a trout-rich Province, but often disregarded for Atlantic salmon. Historical
accounts indicated Atlantic salmon occurred throughout PEI with an estimated 71 rivers
containing habitat suitable for salmon (Cairns et al, 2010). Original salmon populations of PEI
were dominated by late-run, multi-sea winter (MSW) fish. Today, Atlantic salmon are only
found in twenty-two streams on PEI, many of which have populations at precariously low levels
with only a few Island rivers meeting conservation requirements (Guignion, 2009). Atlantic
salmon on PEI are negatively affected by multiple issues related to land use, but the primary
ones are sedimentation, fish passage and pesticide-related fish kills. The impacts of intensive
agricultural land use on PEI’s environment are well known (Cairns, 2002). Exploitation of
Atlantic salmon through angling, poaching and First Nation harvest is thought to be very low.
Fish stocking of salmon smolts via semi-natural rearing was the basis for the summer salmon
angling in the 1990’s in a few select rivers on PEI large enough to support salmon angling. In
recent years the stocking of salmon smolts was curtailed when the Department of Fisheries and
Oceans (DFO) eliminated support for Federal fish hatcheries. It is believed wild Atlantic salmon
stocks continue to decline on Prince Edward Island, and without drastic intervention, fewer
rivers will be home to Atlantic salmon in the future. An exception to this decline is in the
Northeast portion of PEI, where increasing numbers of Atlantic salmon redds have been counted
since 2008 and the number of salmon rivers has increased from four to seven.
The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has included PEI
in a designatable unit that includes the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Gaspé Peninsula.
Atlantic salmon within this area have been assessed as a species of Special Concern. However,
COSEWIC (2010) has recognized that conservation status of Atlantic salmon varied within this
designatable unit, and noted particular conservation issues on PEI that arise from poor habitat
quality (Cairns et al, 2012).
Recent research by the Laval University identified a different genetic cluster of Atlantic salmon
in two rivers within the Northeast portion of PEI when compared to other Gulf of St. Lawrence
populations. This suggests that PEI had a different genetic group prior to stocking (Moore et al.,
2014). Implications of this “ancestral” strain of Atlantic salmon include the potential for different
life histories, including migration routes. This might be an explanation for why some populations
of salmon are increasing on PEI. However, this research also highlights how little is known
about Island salmon stocks and about small salmon rivers in general.
The issue of exploitation at-sea is the number one issue facing Atlantic salmon throughout the
North Atlantic. Understanding at sea mortality remains one of the bigger mysteries for Atlantic
salmon. Research efforts should be increased to better understand the marine phase of the
Atlantic salmon life cycle. We recommend DFO assign more importance to this area of Atlantic
salmon research and commit more resources.
Targeted high-seas harvest of Atlantic salmon is likely having significant impacts throughout the
North Atlantic. We do not fully understand the extent of the harvest, but it has been reported in a
number of sources to be increasing. Clearly, this issue needs to be addressed and the Atlantic
Salmon Federation (ASF) and their grass-roots affiliates can only do so much. We feel this issue
needs strong leadership and diplomacy to resolve, and clearly the Government of Canada bears
considerable responsibility to find solutions.
Atlantic salmon by-catch in commercial fishing operations remains a problem in PEI coastal
waters. There is uncertainty as to whether or not these salmon are destined for PEI rivers;
nonetheless this is a conservation issue for the region. We recommend DFO step up efforts to
regularly visit commercial fishing operations as a deterrent to the exploitation of wild Atlantic
salmon. We are aware of some Island watersheds where salmon populations are barely hanging
on, yet we hear reports of MSW salmon being exploited in the summer and fall from commercial
fishing operations. By-catch of any Atlantic salmon is a conservation issue. For PEI, given the
small size of our rivers and the small production units contained therein, every fish is important,
regardless of life history stage.
Efforts to address sedimentation have been met with some success, but the nature of PEI soils
and cultivation practices leave us very vulnerable to excessive soil losses from agricultural lands
at certain times of the year. The chronic issue of fish kills on PEI has also not gone unnoticed by
the public or the agricultural community. Watersheds that have a high proportion of land in
potato production are also most at risk for a pesticide-related fish kill. A provincial government
Action Committee has been developed with industry to find opportunities to reduce the
likelihood of future pesticide-related fish kill events. Accordingly, the risk will always be
present as long as the chemical inputs for successful crop production remain.
Barriers to fish passage remain a serious problem on PEI, and this has been well articulated in
the document A Conservation Strategy for Atlantic Salmon in Prince Edward Island (Guignion,
2009). Impoundments, road crossings and beaver dams all reduce the mobility of both juvenile
and adult Atlantic salmon and more needs to be done to ensure the species has unrestricted
access to its preferred habitats. Perhaps unique to PEI, the impact from beaver dams on
anadromous fish remains more serious since it is underscored by small watersheds where beaver
dams can remain intact, even under flood flow conditions. Beaver dams and impoundments on
PEI also contribute to elevated summer water temperatures which are only expected to get worse
under a warming climate.
We are concerned about recent and ongoing ecosystem changes. Predators such as striped bass,
seals and double-crested cormorants are species that have greatly increased in recent years that
are likely reducing the survival of Atlantic salmon. It may be prudent to consider allowing
greater harvest of striped bass via recreational angling. Furthermore, it may also be warranted to
allow some form of deterrence to cormorants as they are major predators of juvenile salmon and
cormorant populations have been increasing for some time on PEI. While we are generally not
supportive of predator management that favors species-specific conservation goals, immediate
measures need to be taken to address further declines in Atlantic salmon populations.
Recreational fly fishing opportunities for Atlantic salmon on PEI are almost non-existent now as
many rivers previously open in the fall season have been closed by DFO for conservation
measures. The only exception would be the Morell River where a fall salmon season remains in
place. We view the removal of salmon anglers from rivers as a major challenge in community
engagement and local conservation efforts. Shutting down rivers to angling is not the answer,
especially considering salmon angling has been live release for some time. Strong participation
in fly fishing is key to the future of Atlantic salmon. Regrettably, the closing of recreational
fishing seasons for Atlantic salmon appears to be happening in other parts of the Maritimes.
Recreational salmon fishery closures will invariably result in the loss of the long-standing
tradition of salmon angling and reduced interest in grass-roots conservation initiatives. We feel
the latter is already occurring.
Community-based watershed groups are integral in the stewardship of the salmon resource.
Watershed groups require increased support from all levels of government to continue improving
fish habitat and engaging local landowners. This support needs to be more consistent so
organizations are able to effectively plan at the grass-roots level rather than the year-to-year
juggling currently practiced. It would be very helpful to have improved access to technical
support from scientists involved in the study of Atlantic salmon. We are particularly concerned
that the assessment of salmon stock abundance on PEI is thought to have a high level of
uncertainty (Cairns, et al, 2012).
In closing, we wish the advisory committee all the best in their deliberations to recommend
measures to improve the status of wild Atlantic salmon. We hope that our submission and those
of other conservation organizations result in meaningful actions to reverse the decline in Atlantic
salmon abundance throughout the North Atlantic.
Summary of Recommendations:
1. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans need to re-affirm their mandate for the
conservation of wild Atlantic salmon.
2. More Atlantic salmon research is required to better understand mortality issues in the
marine environment.
3. Improved diplomacy and communication efforts need to be fully exercised to find
solutions to drastically curtail the exploitation of Atlantic salmon at-sea.
4. Island watershed groups need more technical and financial support to carry out
restoration projects that maximize salmon production in freshwater.
5. Significant reductions in sedimentation are required in PEI watersheds under the most
intensive agricultural pressure.
6. More scientific expertise is needed, particularly in the area of stock assessment.
7. Increased research on the PEI ancestral strain of Atlantic salmon, particularly life
histories and migration routes.
8. Options for reducing the abundance of predators to Atlantic salmon should be more fully
considered. Examples where this may be appropriate and feasible would include double
crested cormorants, seals and striped bass.
9. By-catch of Atlantic salmon remains an issue in PEI coastal waters. Enforcement
personnel need to be vigilant in stepping up efforts to provide a deterrent.
10. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans need to improve their delivery of funding
programs for the conservation of Atlantic salmon and aquatic habitat. An example of this
is DFO’s Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program (RFCPP) which
many Island watershed groups no longer apply for given their experience with
administrative hurdles.
References
Cairns, D.K., MacFarlane, R.E., Guignion, D.L., and Dupuis, T. 2012. The status of Atlantic
salmon (Salmo salar) on Prince Edward Island (SFA 17) in 2011. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec.
Res. Doc. 2012/090. iv + 33 p.
Cairns, D.K. (Ed.). 2002. Effects of land use practices on fish, shellfish, and their habitats on
Prince Edward Island. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. No. 2408. iv + 157 p.
Guignion, D., 2009. A conservation strategy for Atlantic salmon in Prince Edward
Island.University of Prince Edward Island & Oak Meadows Inc.
Moore, J-S., Bourret, V., Dionne, M., Bradburry, I., O’Reilly, P., Kent, M., Chaput, G., and
Bernatchez, L. 2014. Conservation genomics of anadromous Atlantic salmon across its North
American range: outlier loci identify the same patterns of population structure as neutral loci.
Mol. Ecol. 23: 5680-97.