Minister Thompson announces $10 million grant to support conservation of wild Atlantic salmon

OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 9, 2026 /CNW/ -- Atlantic salmon are an iconic species across Atlantic Canada and Quebec. A symbol of resilience and healthy rivers, Atlantic salmon have supported ecosystems, cultures, and communities for generations--and their future depends on collective action today.

Today, the Minister of Fisheries, the Honourable Joanne Thompson, announced a $10 million grant for the Foundation for Conservation of Atlantic Salmon (FCAS) to enhance the Atlantic Salmon Endowment Fund, a permanent source of funding for Atlantic salmon conservation in Atlantic Canada and Quebec. The Fund was established in 2007 through a $30 million Government of Canada investment and since that time, the projects it has supported have helped restore 7.5 million metres of habitat while opening up access to almost 200 square kilometres of habitat. The additional funding announced today will allow FCAS to increase their work supporting watershed-level initiatives including habitat restoration, fish passage and connectivity improvements, population monitoring, climate adaptation initiatives, and applied scientific research.

The Government of Canada remains committed to working in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, watershed and environmental organizations, and others within the Atlantic salmon community, to advance efforts to restore and protect wild Atlantic salmon.

Canada's conservation strategy for this iconic species was published in 2025, and this funding will advance delivery of impactful actions on-the-ground. Together, we will advance efforts to create the conditions necessary for Atlantic salmon and the Atlantic salmon community to thrive. 

Quotes

"Wild Atlantic salmon are of critical importance to the ecological, social, cultural, and economic fabric of Atlantic Canada and Quebec. For many years, the Foundation for Conservation of Atlantic Salmon has brought together partners and collaborators from a broad range of communities and organizations to advance initiatives to restore and protect Atlantic salmon. The funding announced today will ensure those efforts continue our progress towards a sustainable future for wild Atlantic salmon."

The Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries

"This top-up investment to the Foundation for Conservation of Atlantic Salmon's endowment fund will significantly strengthen our capacity to support wild Atlantic salmon conservation for generations to come. This additional funding will allow us to increase our financial support for community-led conservation initiatives, strengthen partnerships with governments, Indigenous organizations, and local conservation groups, and advance collaborative watershed-level planning and management. As part of our permanent endowment, this investment will have a lasting impact in perpetuity, helping protect and restore wild Atlantic salmon and their habitat across Atlantic Canada and Quebec."

Charline McCoy, Executive Director, Foundation for the Conservation of Atlantic Salmon

Quick Facts

• In March 2026, the Government of Canada announced $81.7 million dollars under A Force of Nature: Canada's Strategy to Protect Nature, to rebuild wild salmon populations and protect wild Atlantic salmon habitat. Via this funding, Fisheries and Oceans Canada is providing a $10 million grant to enhance the Atlantic Salmon Endowment Fund to further support Atlantic salmon conservation in Atlantic Canada and Quebec.
  
  
• The four main goals of Canada's national Atlantic salmon strategy are:
  • Supporting healthy, climate-resilient salmon populations
  • Ensuring alignment with Indigenous rights
  • Fostering an inclusive and knowledgeable salmon community
  • Instituting transparent, well-informed management practices 

Associated Links

• A Force of Nature: Canada's Strategy to Protect Nature
• The Government of Canada takes action to protect Atlantic Salmon
• Canada's national strategy to ensure the future of Atlantic salmon 2024-2036
• The Foundation for Conservation of Atlantic Salmon

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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada

Contacts: Ira Khedkar, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Fisheries, [email protected]; Media Relations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 613-990-7537, [email protected]