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Research underway to restore endangered Inner Bay of Fundy salmon

The Fundy Salmon Recovery project is researching accelerating the restoration of critically endangered Inner Bay of Fundy wild Atlantic salmon.

With funding from the Atlantic Fisheries Fund, the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association (ACFFA), the University of New Brunswick (UNB), and Fort Folly Habitat Recovery (FFHR) are conducting research to evaluate the efficacy of using wild-exposed salmon to restore Atlantic salmon populations in the Inner Bay of Fundy.

“This species’ survival depends on human intervention, innovative thinking, and the dedication of our project partners,” said Susan Farquharson, executive director of the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association. “These activities are vital steps in informing efforts and refining our Atlantic salmon restoration strategies. The data gathered during this project will help us reach our goal to restore and preserve wild Atlantic salmon for future generations.”

“The recovery of this population of endangered Atlantic salmon is of critical importance, as they are deeply intertwined in the heritage and culture of the Mi’gmaq people. Their reintroduction to the Petitcodiac is not only about the return of a lost population, but about reclaiming and sharing our cultural identity, healing historical wounds, and promoting sustainable stewardship of our lands and waters,” said Chief Rebecca Knockwood, Fort Folly First Nation.

The major activities that will be carried out during the research include:

• Enhanced detection and monitoring systems in the Petitcodiac River and rivers in Fundy National Park to track adult salmon movement and distinguish between true wild returns and restoration program salmon.
• Genetic diversity testing and evaluation of epigenetic changes to better understand and protect salmon populations.
• Expanded in-river assessments to monitor spawning, juvenile production, and kelts, generating valuable new data to refine restoration strategies.

Fundy Salmon Recovery is a partnership between academia, First Nations, government and private industry that is making strides in the recovery of the inner Bay of Fundy wild Atlantic salmon, which has been listed as an endangered species since 2003. It involves capturing young Atlantic salmon from the wild, rearing them on a marine farm site until maturity and releasing them back to native rivers to spawn naturally.

“The Fundy Salmon Recovery model has changed the face of Atlantic Salmon restoration and has resulted in increased wild-hatched juvenile salmon production, increased number of adult salmon returning to spawn, and healthier, more productive rivers. This new research will help us continue to guide efforts to rebuild a lost population,” said Kurt Samways, associate professor at the University of New Brunswick.

The Atlantic Fisheries Fund contributed C$921,744 (about US$647,778.88) to this project. The research will continue until March 2026. Other partners in Fundy Salmon Recovery include Cooke Aquaculture, Parks Canada and the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries.

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