OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 5, 2026 /CNW/ -- The protection and conservation of our natural environment and wildlife is core to our Canadian identity. The Government of Canada is committed to working with all Canadians to protect and restore critically important biodiversity. In Atlantic Canada and Quebec, Atlantic salmon hold significant economic, cultural and spiritual significance, and we remain committed to working with communities, Indigenous partners, and stakeholders to take action to conserve this important species.
Today, the Minister of Fisheries, the Honourable Joanne Thompson, announced that the Government of Canada is conducting consultations on 12 Atlantic salmon populations for potential listing under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). The populations range across five provinces: Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Building upon previous engagement, this important step comes after the recent reassessment of Atlantic salmon populations by the independent Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is seeking feedback from Indigenous Peoples, communities, recreational fishery groups, and other stakeholders. This feedback, alongside information received with respect to broader socio-economic and environmental implications, will help inform listing recommendations.
Feedback can be provided via the Species at Risk Public Registry. The consultations will run from November 2, 2026, to January 29, 2027.
List of Populations:
- Atlantic salmon (Anticosti Island population)
- Atlantic salmon (Gaspé Peninsula population)
- Atlantic salmon (Inner St. Lawrence population)
- Atlantic salmon (Nova Scotia Southern Upland East population)
- Atlantic salmon (Nova Scotia Southern Upland West population)
- Atlantic salmon (Outer Bay of Fundy population)
- Atlantic salmon (Quebec Eastern North Shore population)
- Atlantic salmon (Quebec Western North Shore population)
- Atlantic salmon (South Newfoundland West population)
- Atlantic salmon (South Newfoundland East population)
- Atlantic salmon (Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence and Cape Breton population)
- Atlantic salmon (Southern Labrador population)
Quotes
"Atlantic salmon are an iconic species in Atlantic Canada and Quebec. By consulting and engaging directly with Canadians, and working alongside Indigenous Peoples and partners, we can make better, informed decisions on how best to protect and conserve wild Atlantic salmon species for the long term."
The Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries
Quick Facts
- The Species at Risk Act (SARA), introduced in 2002, provides a legal framework for the management, protection and recovery of wildlife species.
- Aquatic species that are listed under SARA will benefit, as applicable to their risk status, from the protections and required management and recovery planning that the Act provides. All Canadians are encouraged to help preserve these species.
- The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) is an independent, science-based committee that identifies and designates species at risk and is made up of wildlife experts and scientists from Indigenous communities; federal, provincial and territorial governments; universities; and non-governmental organizations. They are also responsible for determining designatable units, which define species populations that are considered discrete and evolutionarily significant.
- For each species assessed as at risk by COSEWIC, SARA requires the Governor in Council to decide whether to list, not list, or refer back to COSEWIC for further consideration or additional information.
- COSEWIC's annual report, recently provided to the Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature, included reassessments of these Atlantic salmon populations,
- While the Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature is responsible for the overall administration of SARA, the Minister of Fisheries is the competent minister for aquatic species under SARA.
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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada
For more information: Ira Khedkar, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Fisheries, [email protected]; Media Relations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 613-990-7537, [email protected]
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