The closure of the Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility in New Brunswick has sparked criticism from the Wolastoqey Nation, Atlantic salmon scientists, and conservationists. This facility, located in French Village below the Mactaquac Dam on the St. John River, is being shut down by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) as part of cost-cutting measures.
One of the concerns raised by the Wolastoqey Nation is the lack of consultation regarding the decision to close the facility, which plays a crucial role in the conservation of salmon populations in the region. The discontinuation of the Atlantic salmon live gene bank program, managed by the facility’s staff, will also have significant implications for salmon-stocking activities and the overall health of the river ecosystem.
According to Tommi Linnansaari, a biology professor at the University of New Brunswick, the Mactaquac facility is essential for various programs aimed at preserving salmon populations. These programs involve collecting wild brood stock, fertilizing eggs in captivity, and releasing young salmon into different locations upstream to support their survival. Additionally, the facility plays a key role in supporting DFO recovery programs for salmon populations in the inner Bay of Fundy rivers.
The closure of the hatchery is expected to have a detrimental impact on salmon populations in the St. John River, which have already seen a significant decline over the years. David Roth, the New Brunswick program director for the Atlantic Salmon Federation, emphasized the critical role of the facility in sustaining salmon populations and expressed concerns about the potential consequences of its closure.
While the reasons behind the closure of the Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility remain unclear, stakeholders are calling for continued efforts to protect salmon populations and uphold conservation commitments. The decision to discontinue operations at the facility underscores the need for ongoing collaboration between government agencies, conservationists, and indigenous communities to ensure the long-term sustainability of salmon populations in the region.