Province Helping Protect Salmon in Renowned Margaree River
The Margaree Salmon Association will install structures in the river to help salmon and other fish move and spawn more easily, and hire two technicians, with provincial funding. (Province of Nova Scotia)
Nova Scotia is taking action to help protect Atlantic salmon habitat in the Margaree River from climate change – investing $100,000 from the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund in the Margaree Salmon Association.
“The Margaree River is one of Cape Breton’s most beautiful and beloved rivers and helps make Inverness County a great place to live,” said Inverness MLA Kyle MacQuarrie, on behalf of Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “The river also attracts fly fishers and visitors from around the world, supporting our local economy. Our government is pleased to support the association’s work, which will help keep the Margaree River and Atlantic salmon healthy and resilient to climate change for generations to come.”
The river is warmer due to climate change, with extreme weather sometimes causing debris to block passages. This impacts salmon, which need cool and steady levels of water to move easily back and forth for spawning. The Margaree Salmon Association will install special structures in the river to help salmon and other fish move more easily, and hire two technicians to help with monitoring and a watershed management plan.
Quotes:
“This Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund grant is one of the most significant we’ve received in our history and has allowed us to not only continue our restoration work, but also to begin a process to deal with invasive species. Our association's work is vital not only for the conservation of Atlantic salmon, but also for maintaining the health of the entire Margaree River ecosystem. This benefits the many guides, anglers and local communities who rely on the river for recreational activities. With the right resources and equipment, we can ensure that the river continues to support its diverse ecosystem, including Atlantic salmon, brook trout, and the livelihoods of those who depend on the river, for years to come.”
— Paul MacNeil, President, Margaree Salmon Association
“Thanks to the Margaree Salmon Association, Nova Scotia’s premier river for Atlantic salmon is becoming more resilient in the face of climate change. By installing in-stream structures to enhance habitat and removing barriers in the Margaree River, this project demonstrates our ability to adapt to a changing climate – not just in this region, but across the province. I commend the association for their dedication to this project and for serving as stewards of this watershed for over 40 years.”
— Juanita Spencer, CEO, Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities
Quick Facts:
- the Margaree Salmon Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation, protection and enhancement of Atlantic salmon and trout and their habitat on the Margaree River; since 1982 it has worked with partners to maintain healthy populations of trout and Atlantic salmon in the watershed
- the government created the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund in 2021 as part of the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act, its legislated commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, respond to climate change, transform how Nova Scotians produce and use energy, make homes and buildings energy efficient, and more
- the program provides grants to municipalities, non-profit and community organizations, post-secondary institutions and Mi’kmaw communities to help them respond to and prepare for climate change impacts, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities was selected through a request for proposals process to develop and administer the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund on behalf of the government
- since launching in 2022, about $10 million in funding has been invested
Additional Resources:
More information on the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund: https://nschallengefund.ca/
News releases about the fund and related projects: https://news.novascotia.ca/search/all?field_topics=228
Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/environmental%20goals%20and%20climate%20change%20reduction.pdf
Our Climate, Our Future: Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth: https://climatechange.novascotia.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/ns-climate-change-plan.pdf
Weathering What’s Ahead: Climate Change Risk and Nova Scotia’s Well-being: https://climatechange.novascotia.ca/climate-impacts