Implications

PARTICIPATION OF THE FQSA

Conservation and protection are at the heart of our work. Our goal? To ensure the sustainability of salmon populations in Quebec’s rivers for the sustainable development of a responsible fishery, in collaboration with regional, national and international stakeholders in the wildlife, environmental and recreational tourism sectors.

NATIONAL WILDLIFE TABLE

The Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP) has set up a table for discussion and consultation on wildlife issues in Quebec. The FQSA is an official wildlife partner with the Fédération des pourvoiries du Québec, the Fédération des trappeurs gestionnaires du Québec, the Fédération des chasseurs et pêcheurs du Québec, the Fondation de la faune, the Institut de développement durable des Premières Nations du Québec et du Labrador, the Société des établissements de plein-air du Québec (Sépaq) and Zecs Québec.

Several meetings are held throughout the year on issues crucial to wildlife in Quebec. In particular, we worked on the development of the initial 2016–2026 Atlantic Salmon Management Plan, and we are collaborating with the MELCCFP on the implementation of other management measures for the Atlantic salmon resource. We are also partners in the development of the National Wildlife Policy. It’s a great place to bring forth our point of views and concerns, and raise issues to the attention of our government!

 

WATER STRATEGY FORUM

The Water Strategy Forum aims to provide a platform for dialogue among government authorities and stakeholders concerned with water governance. Its goal is to strengthen integrated water resource management per watershed. It allows for improved coordination of government action and better alignment of government priorities with those of local and regional stakeholders, particularly watershed organizations.

Issue-specific working groups are created to develop recommendations and actions to strengthen water protection.

We participated in our first meeting in January 2023, following acceptance by the Ministère de l’environnement, de la lutte aux changements climatiques, de la faune et des parcs (MELCCFP), which is responsible for this panel.

The Forum is a key venue for discussing water issues in Quebec. We are proud to add our wildlife expertise to the group’s efforts and reflections.

 

 

 

JOINT RESEARCH PLAN ON ATLANTIC SALMON

The FQSA is proud to be part of the Atlantic Salmon Research Joint Venture science plan committee established by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).

Fisheries and Oceans Canada created this joint research plan in 2016 to build partnerships and collaboration between federal agencies, provincial governments, Indigenous governments and others. The objective is to better understand the causes of the global decline in Atlantic salmon populations.

At the FQSA, we are, within this major research project, a voice for salmon river managers as well as for Quebec salmon anglers.

NASCO EVENTS

Historically, the FQSA has been represented for many years in the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO), an international organization that has existed since 1983, stemming from the Convention for the Conservation of Salmon in the North Atlantic Ocean, an international convention signed by several countries of the salmoshpere, including Canada. 

We were present at their last event in October 2022, organized in collaboration with the NPAFC. The top experts in the field of salmon were there to talk about five main themes:

1. The current state of salmon
2. New technologies in the world of salmon research
3. Historical and current salmon data
4. The human aspect (Aboriginal communities, scientists, farmers, resource managers, etc.)
5. Salmon in ecosystems affected by climate change

PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ATLANTIC SALMON FEDERATION (ASF)

Since 1995, the FQSA has had a seat on the board of the ASF, and the ASF has had a seat on the FQSA board of directors since 2003. Our two organizations have a long history of working together on many projects and issues.

Starting in 2016, a common desire to make our combined missions more formally related in Quebec led to the signing of a cooperation agreement between the two organizations, officialized in 2017. This agreement was aimed at recognizing our respective actions with respect to the conservation and enhancement of Atlantic salmon, and the particular role of the FQSA in Quebec which, unlike other Canadian provinces, has a separate provincial organization as the primary stakeholder in salmon issues. The FQSA is always keen on minimizing the overlap of responsibilities and actions on the Quebec territory and to increase the synergy between actors, while respecting their specificity.

The FQSA acts as the regional council of the ASF and we join our efforts in various common issues.

SCIENTIFIC EXPERTISE

With the help of valuable collaborators in the field of scientific research and qualified members of our team, the FQSA offers its support when situations that endanger salmon or their fishery arise on Quebec’s territory. For example, we can look at issues such as the transportation of salmon following hydroelectric shutdowns on the Mitis River, as well as the construction and repair of numerous infrastructures required for salmon migrations under the North Shore habitat enhancement program, which has become an important project of the FQSA.

We also serve on numerous committees or projects that address issues such as:

• Working group on striped bass sport fishing in Quebec;
• Adaptation of the climate change sector;
• Regional consultation committees on various land use planning issues;
• Integrated watershed management.

When issues on salmon are raised, we always respond!