PROVINCE AND PARTNERS WORK TO RESTORE ATLANTIC SALMON

For Immediate Release
April 27, 2006

PROVINCE AND PARTNERS WORK TO RESTORE ATLANTIC SALMON
Aim To Bring Atlantic Salmon Back To Lake Ontario

TORONTO — The province and its partners are working to restore Atlantic salmon to Lake Ontario, Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay announced today.

"Research has shown that some streams flowing into Lake Ontario can provide the habitat young Atlantic salmon need to thrive," said Ramsay. "By restoring Atlantic salmon we are improving Ontario ’s biodiversity and providing a healthier environment for humans with an abundance of natural resources."

Restoring the Atlantic salmon is a partnership among the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Australia ’s Banrock Station wine company and the Liquor Control Board of Ontario.

Initial stocking efforts will focus on Duffins Creek, the Credit River and Cobourg Creek because of their high-quality spawning and nursery habitat, and strong community support. The province and partners will stock about 400,000 Atlantic salmon fry and fingerlings this spring and fall. Another 50,000 will be stocked next spring.

"It's exciting to see another great result from the LCBO environmental strategy to reduce package waste and help preserve Ontario's natural heritage," said David Caplan, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal and Minister responsible for the LCBO. "By funding projects like this one to help restore Atlantic salmon, LCBO customers, employees and suppliers are making a tangible contribution that will have wide ranging environmental benefits throughout the Lake Ontario watershed."

The partners are contributing $1.5 million or services to help move ahead with Atlantic salmon restoration over the next five years. Funding will go toward enhanced fish production, research and monitoring, habitat rehabilitation and stewardship initiatives. The Ministry of Natural Resources will set direction for restoration and the ministry’s fish culture program will continue to play a significant role in raising the fish required for restoration as well as provide expert advice to our stocking partners. The ministry will also continue to provide strong scientific and technical support to restoration efforts.

Atlantic salmon are recognized as an important part of the natural and cultural heritage of the Lake Ontario basin, and a good indicator of environmental health.

Atlantic salmon disappeared from Lake Ontario by the late 1800s mainly because of habitat loss in streams. The ministry renewed a long-term program in 1995 to restore self-sustaining populations of Atlantic salmon to Lake Ontario.

Related Information

• Backgrounder: LAKE ONTARIO ATLANTIC SALMON RESTORATION PROGRAM

For More Information

Jolanta Kowalski
Communications Services Branch
416-314-2106

General Enquiries

Natural Resources Information Centre
1-800-667-1940
TTY 1-866-686-6072 (Hearing Impaired)