One Millionth Atlantic Salmon Stocked

McGuinty Government Supports Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program

TORONTO, May 28 /CNW/ – The Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program has reached a major milestone with the stocking of the one millionth Atlantic salmon.

Bringing back wild populations of Atlantic salmon to Lake Ontario is one of the largest freshwater conservation projects in North America. Current restoration efforts are focused on three Lake Ontario tributaries – Duffins Creek, Credit River and Cobourg Brook – chosen for their high-quality spawning and nursery habitat and strong community support. Restoring Atlantic salmon will improve Ontario’s biodiversity.

The program involves over 30 partners and sponsors, including the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Australia’s Banrock Station Wines, Liquor Control Board of Ontario, Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association, Fishing Forever Foundation, Fleming College, conservation authorities, local community groups and landowners.

“Stocking the one millionth Atlantic salmon is one more step in our ongoing work to restore this species to its traditional habitat,” said Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield. “This program has benefited tremendously from the excellent work being done by our partners.”

“We are pleased to be partnering with public and private organizations on the Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program,” said Mike Reader, OFAH executive director. “We proudly share this milestone with Banrock Station, and our many other program partners, who are helping us to bring back the salmon to Lake Ontario. Without their financial and in-kind support, we simply could not have undertaken such a significant initiative.”

“Bring Back the Salmon is a major part of Banrock Station’s global conservation commitment, and everyone here in Australia is celebrating with you on the occasion of the program’s one millionth Atlantic salmon,” said Banrock Station Manager, Tony Sharley. “We’re immensely proud to be part of this unique conservation partnership, feel it is a model to be emulated by others, and look forward to the program’s long-term success.”

QUICK FACTS

• Atlantic salmon disappeared from Lake Ontario by the late 1800s mainly due to habitat loss in streams.
• To improve the chances for successful restoration of self-sustaining
  populations in Lake Ontario, several strains of Atlantic salmon with
  contrasting characteristics are being used.

LEARN MORE

Find out more about the Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program (http://www.bringbackthesalmon.ca)

BACKGROUNDER

LAKE ONTARIO ATLANTIC SALMON RESTORATION PROGRAM

Bringing back wild populations of Atlantic salmon to Lake Ontario is one of the largest freshwater conservation projects in North America. More than 30 partners and sponsors are taking part in this effort.

Current restoration efforts are focused on three Lake Ontario streams: Duffins Creek, Credit River and Cobourg Brook. These streams were chosen because of their high-quality spawning and nursery habitat, and strong community support.

Launched in 2006, the Atlantic salmon restoration partnership will benefit from contributions of more than $5 million over five years by partners and sponsors. Funding and in-kind support are going towards enhanced fish production and stocking, research and monitoring, habitat rehabilitation and stewardship, and education and outreach initiatives.

Over 1,000,000 young Atlantic salmon have now been stocked from ministry and partner hatcheries since May 2006.

• Hundreds of volunteers have contributed thousands of hours of their time to help stock Atlantic salmon into suitable habitats.
• To improve chances for successful restoration of self-sustaining
  populations in Lake Ontario, several strains of Atlantic salmon with
  contrasting characteristics are being introduced.

RESEARCH AND MONITORING

• Program partners monitor returns of adult Atlantic salmon in each of the restoration streams, and are beginning to look for returning adults and signs of successful natural reproduction.
• Each Atlantic salmon brood fish in the hatchery has been implanted with a special microchip. A genetic profile for each individual fish will enable the program to obtain very accurate information about Atlantic salmon found in the streams and the lake during monitoring efforts.
• An area of the lake close to Cobourg Brook was surveyed this spring to assess the near shore conditions juvenile Atlantic salmon will face when they migrate out of the stream and into the lake.

HABITAT REHABILITATION AND STEWARDSHIP

• Partners and community volunteers have completed projects to improve and protect habitat for Atlantic salmon and other aquatic organisms. Projects included streamside plantings, stream-bank stabilization and construction of cattle crossings and fish by-pass channels.

EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

• Habitat rehabilitation and information workshops have been held on the three target watersheds and two proposed watersheds for the next phase of the restoration program (Bronte Creek and the Humber River).
• In 2008, about 40 schools and three outdoor education centres raised Atlantic salmon in classroom hatcheries. Students were able to observe the development of Atlantic salmon from the egg to feeding fry stage in a classroom setting and learn about conservation of natural aquatic ecosystems.
• Public and media events occur during each of the three annual stocking periods (April, May, October/November).

For more information about the Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program or to find out how you can get involved, visit ontario.ca/fishing or www.bringbackthesalmon.ca.