Salmon Steward

16 2017 psf.ca Q You're in a unique situation, given that your father was also a fisheries minister. a More than 30 years ago, my father, Roméo LeBlanc, served as the Minis- ter of Fisheries and Oceans under then- Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau. He was the first Minister of this portfolio after advocating for "oceans" to be included in his mandate. It was therefore a pleasure for me to announce a new Marine Protected Area earlier this year: the Hecate Strait Marine Protected Area. This designation will ensure long-term protection for these prehistoric, globally unique glass sponge reefs, and help our government increase the proportion of Canada's marine and coastal areas to five per cent this year and 10 per cent by 2020. My father took tremendous pride in being called the "fishermen's minister" and he accomplished great things during his tenure. One of his most noteworthy accomplishments was introducing new habitat protection provisions into the Fisheries Act. One area of interest to our government, and to me personally, is addressing the amendments made to the Fisheries Act back in 2012-2013 which stripped out some of the environmental protections that were specific to fish habitat. I'm pleased to report that we've consulted widely on this work and we're making great strides that will restore lost protections and incorporate modern safeguards into the Act. Q What are some future opportunities you see for the Pacific salmon foundation and dfo to work together? a We will continue to work with the Pacific Salmon Foundation and other partners on the Salish Sea Marine Survival Project, which is dedicated to uncovering the causes of long-term declines in Coho and Chinook salmon in the Salish Sea. Another area of mutual interest is the Strategic Salmon Health Initiative. DFO will continue to lend our best and brightest scientific minds to understanding the factors which influence the high mortality rate of juvenile salmon during their early ocean migration. I want to thank the volunteers and the Pacific Salmon Foundation for all the great work that's been done to conserve and protect Coho and Chinook salmon. Together, you're leaving an environmental legacy along the British Columbia and Yukon coasts that will benefit generations to come. Q the foundation is all about ensuring a future for wild salmon in B.c. and the Yukon. as minister, what are some essential activities you want to focus on to support that mission? a Last year, I had the privilege of meeting Justice Cohen in Vancouver, where we discussed the Cohen Commis- sion's work. Of all the recommendations, Pacific Salmon Foundation and its supporters are likely most excited about the implementation of the Wild Salmon Policy. While the Commission focused on Fraser River Sockeye, the Wild Salmon Policy will focus on all salmon species. DFO is engaging communities on an implementa- tion plan and we look to organizations like the Pacific Salmon Foundation, as well as active citizens across B.C. and Yukon, to ensure the health of beloved Pacific Salmon. Q "fish tales" are always welcome here. any memorable fishing stories to share? a Growing up the son of a fisheries minister, I can remember countless times fishing on Canada's rivers and lakes with my friends and family. Whether you're fishing on the iconic Miramichi in New Brunswick, the mighty Fraser River in British Columbia or on a pristine lake in the Yukon Territory, the anticipation of waiting for a fish to bite and the thrill of reeling it in never gets old! I hope to make more of these types of memories this summer while I'm home in New Brunswick and during my travels across this beautiful country. Hon. Dominic LeBlanc MINISTER OF FISHERIES, OCEANS AND THE CANADIAN COAST GUARD A chAt with the Minister Who cares about salmon? 40 yeArs of the sAlMonid enhAnceMent ProgrAM (seP) The Salmonid Enhancement Program was created in 1977 by Dominic's father, then-Fisheries Minister Roméo LeBlanc, to address the rapid decline in Pacific salmon stocks. SEP has evolved to contribute to salmon harvest, assessment and conservation needs across the Pacific region. Increasing public awareness and active participation by community groups, local schools and First Nations communities has been crucial to the success of SEP and has contributed to the culture of salmon stewardship across the region. A new precedent was set, as many B.C. citizens became vital, hands-on partners in the stewardship effort. While the DFO built major facilities (hatcheries and spawning channels), individuals and groups went to work cleaning up damaged streams and building small enhancement projects. In December of 1987, DFO finalized an agreement to assist the Pacific Salmon Foundation in supporting community enhancement, conservation and educational projects. SEP greatly values the relationship it has developed with the Foundation and looks forward to many more decades of collaboration — bringing them back, stream by stream.

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