Leonard Nicholas, the fishery strategy director of Tobique First Nation, views Atlantic salmon in a unique light, seeing them as kin or ancestors rather than just fish. He emphasizes the importance of preserving these salmon, noting their historical presence alongside humans in the region. The Tobique River, which Nicholas considers home, is a tributary of the Wolastoq, also known as the St. John River. In the past, the river system supported a thriving population of tens of thousands of salmon. However, recent counts from the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans reveal a significant decline, with only a few hundred salmon returning annually to the river’s Mactaquac Dam.
Despite the struggling salmon population, the DFO-operated Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility has played a crucial role in sustaining the salmon. The facility’s efforts have been likened to keeping a patient alive on life support, as the salmon population remains fragile. The facility’s operations include transporting salmon past hydroelectric dams and raising juvenile salmon for release upstream to support reproduction.
Unfortunately, the DFO has decided to close the Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility in the coming fall, raising concerns among First Nations and biologists. The closure is anticipated to have detrimental effects on the Wolastoq salmon population, also known as outer Bay of Fundy salmon. Nicholas expressed disappointment over the sudden closure announcement, emphasizing the lack of consultation or warning provided by the DFO.
Following the closure, Nicholas and his team have taken on the responsibility of collecting juvenile salmon from the Tobique River dam. With no facility to raise the smolts, the Canadian Rivers Institute at UNB has stepped in to assist, transporting the smolts downstream. Despite these efforts, research indicates the challenges faced by the smolts in reaching the ocean and returning to their spawning grounds.
The declining salmon population has sparked discussions about endangered status, with calls for federal recognition of the Wolastoq salmon as endangered under the Species at Risk Act. Scientists have highlighted various factors contributing to the decline, including dams, pollution, invasive species, and climate change. However, the decision-making process for listing species as endangered involves complex considerations beyond scientific assessments.
Members of the Wolastoqey community, including Patrick Polchies, have voiced their concerns to the House of Commons fisheries and oceans committee, emphasizing the cultural and environmental significance of the salmon. The federal government’s stance on listing the outer Bay of Fundy salmon as endangered remains pending, awaiting further assessments and deliberations.
Despite challenges, efforts to conserve and protect wild Atlantic salmon continue, with a focus on collaboration with Indigenous communities and recognition of the cultural importance of these species to the Wolastoqey.
