Ottawa, Ontario - Wild Atlantic salmon are highly valued both socially and culturally by Indigenous Peoples and people in Atlantic Canada and Québec. The number of Atlantic salmon in Canadian and international waters has steadily declined since the mid-1980s. Through regional, national and international collaboration, Canada continues to work towards better understanding and responding to the wide range of factors that contribute to the health of wild Atlantic salmon stocks.
Canada is proud to host the 40th Annual Meeting of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO) from June 5 to 8, 2023 in Moncton, New Brunswick. Delegates from Canada, and other NASCO Parties around the North Atlantic will come together to discuss the urgent protection of wild Atlantic salmon and work to conserve, restore, enhance and effectively manage the species.
The 40th annual meeting of NASCO will include special sessions on climate change as well as Indigenous perspectives on Atlantic salmon. These sessions will seek to inform how NASCO will strategically address the impacts of climate change, and help to improve Indigenous peoples' participation in the organization.
Despite efforts to address key threats such as climate change and high mortality at sea, the abundance of wild Atlantic salmon remains low in most geographic areas across the North Atlantic. Increased collaboration across borders, taking into account Indigenous perspectives and leadership, as well as the best available scientific information, is crucial to the long term conservation and restoration of the species.
The Government of Canada plays a leadership role in the management and conservation of Atlantic salmon stocks. Canada's engagement at NASCO helps to advance the sustainable management of wild Atlantic salmon through international cooperation, while advancing Canada's domestic priorities for the long-term conservation and restoration of this iconic species.
