The decision to close the Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility, a hatchery located in French Village below the Mactaquac Dam on the St. John River, has drawn criticism from the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick, as well as Atlantic salmon scientists and conservationists. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is shutting down this facility, along with another in Coldbrook, N.S., as part of cost-cutting measures.
The closure will also result in the discontinuation of the Atlantic salmon live gene bank program and related salmon-stocking activities. The Wolastoqey group expressed deep concern over the unilateral decision, emphasizing the lack of consultation with Indigenous communities and the impact on salmon populations and Aboriginal and Treaty rights.
At the University of New Brunswick, salmon biologist Tommi Linnansaari highlighted the various programs conducted at the Mactaquac facility, including the collection of wild brood stock, fertilization of eggs, and the release of baby salmon upstream. The closure of the hatchery could lead to significant harm to salmon populations in the region, particularly affecting the Tobique River.
The Mactaquac facility has played a crucial role in supporting salmon recovery programs in the Bay of Fundy region and beyond. David Roth, the New Brunswick program director for the Atlantic Salmon Federation, warned that the closure would have catastrophic consequences for salmon populations in the St. John River, which have already seen a drastic decline over the years.
The Wolastoqey Nation is assessing the potential impacts of the decision, including job losses, training opportunities, and the setback to salmon conservation efforts. The closure of the hatchery goes against an agreement signed in 1968 between the federal government and N.B. Power to operate the facility as part of the Mactaquac Project.
While the reasons for the closure remain unclear, stakeholders are hopeful that alternative solutions or funding will be provided to support salmon conservation efforts. The outdated infrastructure at the Mactaquac facility presents challenges, but there is optimism that with improvements, salmon populations can be boosted, ensuring the continuity of vital conservation programs.