Yesterday, the members of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Atlantic Salmon, created to advance Atlantic salmon conservation efforts, were announced.

“Conserving and protecting our Atlantic salmon is a priority for our Government. Building on the investments, management measures and science we already conduct, this Ministerial Advisory Committee on Atlantic salmon and those they will consult are expected to provide recommendations on how we can reverse the Atlantic salmon returns trend. I’m hopeful that will help inform our Atlantic salmon management strategy for the 2015 fishing season in cooperation with our regional and international partners,” The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans said.

The advisory committee will include 10 representatives from the four Atlantic Provinces and Quebec who have proven expertise on Atlantic salmon issues and understand the challenges in Eastern Canada.

The Minister has retained the services of Mr. Greg Roach to chair the committee meetings with the support of Mr. Bill Taylor as Vice-Chair. They will work with Committee members to articulate all the issues related to the Committee’s mandate, consult with stakeholders, and prepare a report with recommendations that are action-oriented and can be implemented in the near-term.

“The continued decline of Atlantic salmon stocks in many of our river systems is cause for serious concern. Those particularly impacted are First Nations, anglers and businesses whose incomes are based on economic activities generated from sport fishing or related tourism. I look forward to hearing from stakeholders and working with the committee members to explore all options that may help turn things around for this important species,” said Chair, Greg Roach.

“Canada’s wild Atlantic salmon populations are in serious decline which last year reached a crisis state in many rivers. The appointment of the Ministerial Advisory Committee is an important first step in addressing the decline. It is essential that the Committee receive submissions from conservation groups, First Nations, outfitters, anglers, communities and concerned citizens who depend on wild Atlantic salmon for food, employment, economic benefits and ecosystem health. This public input is to share their views, experiences and recommendations to help the Committee prepare both immediate and longer term conservation and management recommendations to the Minister in time for implementation in 2015,” Vice Chair, Bill Taylor said.

Established last December, the committee will focus discussions on the following aspects: conservation and enforcement measures, predation, strategy to address international, unsustainable fishing and focused areas for advancing science.

The Ministerial Advisory Committee on Atlantic Salmon will hold four meetings before the end of June. Dates will be announced in the coming days.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada scientists actively monitor Atlantic salmon populations in key index rivers of Eastern Canada, working closely with stakeholder groups to undertake rigorous counts of salmon returns in rivers. Management measures for recreational fisheries are based on the most up-to-date science advice, which guides seasons and retention levels for management across Atlantic Canada and Quebec.

Since the creation of the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnership Program (RFCPP), a total of 73 projects and $4.1 million in funding benefited Atlantic salmon conservation and habitat throughout Atlantic Canada.

Members of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Atlantic Salmon

Greg Roach (Chair)

After retiring from the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2012, Mr. Roach set up a company that offers services in project management, training and advice related to the commercial fisheries, aquaculture and recreational fisheries in Atlantic Canada. Mr. Roach first joined the Nova Scotia Fisheries Department in 1976 as a Marine Biologist and retired as the Associate Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. He has extensive expertise in resource science, resource management, project management and government operations, and a strong working relationship with industry groups addressing applied development, regulation and government services. Likewise, Mr. Roach has a long-term working relationship with the federal government addressing local, provincial, national and international issues related to fisheries, aquaculture, coastal community development, oceans and other resource management issues. Mr. Roach received a Bachelor of Science, Honors Biology from St Francis Xavier University and a Master of Science in Marine Biology from Dalhousie University.

Bill Taylor (Vice-Chair)

Mr. Taylor lives in St. Andrews, New Brunswick and is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF). He joined the staff of ASF in 1988 and served as Manager of Regional Programs, Director of Communications, Executive Director of Public Policy and in 1995 was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Taylor serves on several regional, national, and international conservation boards and committees, including Canada’s Hunting and Angling Advisory Panel, the Atlantic Salmon Advisory Committee, and is a member of Canada’s delegation to the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO). In recognition of his work in Atlantic salmon conservation, Mr. Taylor has received several awards, among them the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal and the Roland Michener Award which recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions to conserving Canada’s natural resources.

Rene Aucoin (Advisor)

President of the Nova Scotia Salmon Association (NSSA) since March 2014, Mr. Aucoin has been on the NSSA board since 2006. He also sits on the Atlantic Salmon Federation board of directors as the Nova Scotia representative. As the founder and president of the Cheticamp River Salmon Association (CRSA), Mr. Aucoin has been involved, on a volunteer basis, with Atlantic salmon research and stream restoration projects since the creation of the CRSA in the early 1980s. His latest project goals include the restoration of historic stream width on the Cheticamp River and the continuation of NSSA’s West River Sheet Harbour Acid Mitigation project. Mr. Aucoin has been a board member for numerous non-profit organizations, both at the local and provincial levels, and was instrumental in the creation of one of Canada’s first National Park Cooperating Associations, Les amis du Plein air, based in Cheticamp, Nova Scotia. Mr. Aucoin has had a varied career as a Professor at both school and college levels, as a guide and outfitter in small business and as a Business Development officer. He is presently director of Université Sainte-Anne’s satellite campus located near Cheticamp, Nova Scotia.

Francois Caron (Advisor)

Based in Quebec, Mr. Caron has been a volunteer member of the Central Advisory Committee of the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation since 2011. Now retired, Mr. Caron spent most of his career as a biologist doing research on migratory fish — mainly salmon, sturgeon and eel — for the Quebec Fish and Wildlife Department. He worked closely alongside scientists from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and was also a member of the Canadian delegation on the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) North Atlantic Salmon Working Group. Mr. Caron has conducted extensive research in Quebec on the salmon population dynamic. In addition to his continued involvement in local and regional conservation groups, Mr. Caron participates in CIRSA (Centre interuniversitaire de recherche sur le saumon atlantique) which is a multidisciplinary group from six universities focusing on Atlantic salmon research.

Yvon Côté (Advisor)

Known as ‘Monsieur Saumon’, Yvon Côté served as President of the Fédération québécoise pour le saumon atlantique (FQSA) from 2000 to 2013. Prior to that, Mr. Côté held various positions within the Québec Ministry of Recreation, Fish and Game, and Ministry of Environment and Wildlife. During his more than 25 year tenure, he completed many field research projects and was the director of the Fishery service from 1987 to 1992. Before retiring from the public service in 1996, Mr. Côté led the way for the creation of a federal-provincially funded Salmon Economic Development Program, which provides funds to local organizations to facilitate development and conservation initiatives in Quebec rivers. In recognition of his long-standing commitment to the conservation of salmon and their habitat, Mr. Côté was awarded the T.B. (Happy) Fraser Award, the Atlantic Salmon Federation’s top Canadian conservation award, in 2011.

Richard DeBow (Advisor)

Richard E. DeBow acts as counsel in the Moncton office of Cox & Palmer. After completing his education at Dalhousie University, Mr. DeBow was called to the New Brunswick Bar in 1970. He joined Cox & Palmer following a number of years with Barry Spalding. A native of Riverview, Mr. DeBow practices corporate, commercial, real property and construction law and also represents insurers on errors and omission claims. Being involved with wildlife organizations is a passion of Mr. DeBow’s. He has been affiliated with a number of them which administer trust funds for wildlife, habitat conservation and related education activities. Mr. DeBow is a past-President of the Canadian Wildlife Foundation, the New Brunswich Wildlife Federation and the Moncton Fish and Game Association. He was also a member of the New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund and the New Brunswick Environment Council.

Jacqueline Girouard (Advisor)

As president and owner of Girouard Consultant, Ms. Girouard provides project management services to companies requiring assistance in their production facilities, and research and development projects. With more than 10 years of experience in the public service, Ms. Girouard held various positions at both the federal and provincial government levels where she acquired extensive experience in service contract management and report development. In her passion to promote salmon conservation through public awareness and education, Ms. Girouard held various volunteer positions since 2012 with the Miramichi Salmon Association and is currently an Executive Board Member. Ms. Girouard has 15 years of experience with recreational salmon fishing on the Gander River in Newfoundland where she once managed and co-owned a salmon fishing lodge. She graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the Université de Moncton in New Brunswick and now lives in Ste-Marie-de-Kent, New Brunswick.

Daryl Guignion (Advisor)

As a wildlife biologist, researcher and teacher, Daryl Guignion has spent a lifetime working with educators, policy-makers, and community organizations to encourage greater respect and protection for the natural environment. Formerly an associate professor of biology at the University of Prince Edward Island, Mr. Guignion spent his career researching wildlife and their ecosystems and investigating factors limiting wild salmon production on PEI. He was a founding member of the Island Nature Trust, an NGO dedicated to protecting PEI wildlife habitat, and was instrumental in rebuilding salmon stocks in the Morell River. Mr. Guignion also developed a conservation strategy for Atlantic salmon on PEI and recently co-authored the Technical Manual for Watershed Management on PEI. In his current role as Community Environmental Liaison for the university, Mr. Guignion continues to work with environmental groups to develop and implement watershed plans, which play a critical role in salmon recovery.

Carl McLean (Advisor)

Based in Happy Valley Goose Bay, Labrador, Carl McLean is a beneficiary of the Labrador Inuit Land Claim Agreement and the current Deputy Minister with the Department of Lands and Natural Resources with the Nunatsiavut Government. His current role includes the administration of the domestic food fishery, which includes Atlantic salmon for Labrador Inuit and the commercial inshore fishery including snow crab, Greenland halibut, shrimp and scallop. In April 2014, Mr. McLean was appointed Commissioner to the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO). Prior to coming to work with the Nunatsiavut Government in 2008, Mr. McLean spent some 20 years in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut working for various levels of government, including Senior Land Officer with the Governments of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Land Administrator with the City of Iqaluit and Manager of Lands and Director of Operations with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Nunavut Region.

Chief Terrance Paul (Advisor)

Terrance Paul is the Chief of Membertou, a position he has held for the past 31 years. Chief Paul started his career with the Boston Indian Council where he held positions such as job placement officer, director of finance and then finally, president. Returning home to Membertou, Chief Paul joined the Membertou Band Council in the role of economic development officer and progressed to the position of band manager before he was elected as Chief in 1984. Chief Paul has achieved many notable accomplishments in his current role including doubling the land base for the Membertou Reserve and increasing the employment rate within Membertou to nearly 80 per cent in the community. The Membertou logo of “Welcoming the World” is undoubtedly the most accurate representation of the open and progressive First Nation community that Membertou has become under the leadership of Chief Terry Paul.

Graham Roome (Advisor)

A resident of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Mr. Roome is currently self-employed as a consultant in the fishing industry. With 35 years of experience in the seafood sector, Mr. Roome held various senior executive positions in large public and private seafood companies, Clearwater Seafoods in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Fishery Products International in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Mr. Roome graduated in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Memorial University of Newfoundland. During his student years, Mr. Roome spent three summers working with Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Exploits River Salmon Enhancement program. As an active member of his community, Mr. Roome is a member of the Atlantic Salmon Federation and the Salmon Preservation Association for the Waters of Newfoundland and Labrador.