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 and Atlantic salmon scientists and conservationists. This move, part of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ cost-cutting measures, also includes shutting down another facility in Coldbrook, N.S., and discontinuing the Atlantic salmon live gene bank program.
Expressing deep concern over the closure, the Wolastoqey group highlighted the lack of consultation with Indigenous communities regarding the future of the facility and its impact on salmon populations and Aboriginal rights. The facility’s operations play a crucial role in preserving salmon populations in the region, particularly the outer Bay of Fundy salmon populations.
The closure of the hatchery will have severe consequences on salmon conservation efforts in the St. John River, with the Atlantic Salmon Federation warning that it could lead to a further decline in salmon populations. The facility’s various programs, including collecting wild brood stock, fertilizing eggs, and releasing baby salmon, have been instrumental in sustaining salmon populations in the Tobique River and beyond.
Despite the potential cost-saving benefits, critics argue that the hatchery’s closure could have detrimental effects on salmon populations and the ecosystem. The lack of consultation with Indigenous groups and the sudden decision to shut down the facility have raised concerns about the government’s commitment to salmon conservation and protection of Indigenous rights.
As stakeholders review the implications of this decision, concerns are also raised about the loss of employment opportunities and the long-term impact on salmon populations. Calls are being made for alternative solutions to ensure the continuity of salmon conservation efforts and the protection of critical species in the region.
The closure of the Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility underscores the complex challenges faced in balancing economic considerations with environmental conservation and Indigenous rights. The fate of the facility and its impact on salmon populations remain subjects of ongoing debate and scrutiny within the conservation and scientific communities.
