Canada invests in governance and habitat projects under salmon strategy.
The Government of Canada has announced funding for four projects aimed at supporting the conservation and recovery of wild Atlantic salmon under its National Strategy to Ensure the Future of Atlantic Salmon.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is providing financial support to a range of Indigenous and conservation organisations to advance governance, research, and habitat initiatives tied to the strategy, which runs from 2024 to 2036.
The Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat will receive CAD 450,000 to lead work on a collaborative governance approach, strengthening Indigenous-led conservation and decision-making. The Institut de développement durable des Premières Nations du Québec et du Labrador will receive more than CAD 267,000 to gather Indigenous knowledge and support community engagement.
The Atlantic Salmon Federation has been allocated CAD 286,000 to carry out habitat connectivity assessments and barrier prioritisation, while the Foundation for Conservation of Atlantic Salmon will receive CAD 200,000 to host inter-provincial symposiums in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
The projects are intended to improve coordination across jurisdictions, build capacity within Indigenous organisations, and enhance data sharing and monitoring frameworks.
Canada’s Atlantic salmon strategy was published in March 2025 following consultations with Indigenous groups, provincial governments, and industry stakeholders. The programme focuses on long-term conservation measures, climate resilience, and addressing threats to the species.
Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson said the projects aim to strengthen partnerships between Indigenous organisations and conservation groups, and to support the long-term survival of Atlantic salmon and the communities connected to them.
