On behalf of Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, Ken McDonald, Member of Parliament for Avalon, announced on 11 October 2017 that the World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF-Canada) would receive over $3 Million through the Coastal Restoration Fund.
This funding will support WWF-Canada and nine partner organizations in monitoring and restoring coastal habitats. The multi-year project will contribute to the continued development of an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management by leveraging traditional knowledge, scientific research, and citizen science.
“The Government of Canada is taking action to restore coastal habitats and we are proud to work together with WWF-Canada and partners to protect marine environments and communities. This investment of over $3 Million in the restoration of coastal habitats in Newfoundland and Labrador will protect important species and ecosystems for generations to come,” said LeBlanc.
Planned project activities include capelin habitat modelling and restoration in Placentia Bay and the Bay of Islands, and removal of obstacles to fish passage for Atlantic salmon and Arctic char in Labrador. Through community-based monitoring and rehabilitation teams, these activities will build local capacity to steward the aquatic resources that are important to local economies.
In May 2017, the Government of Canada announced a $75 million Coastal Restoration Fund to help to rehabilitate some of important marine ecosystems and address threats to marine species. The Fund is a part of the national $1.5-billion Oceans Protection Plan, an historic investment that aims to make Canada a leader in marine safety and our oceans for generations to come.
Project Title: Stewarding Coastal Habitats Monitoring and Restoration for Priority Species in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Proposed Project Partners:
NunatuKavut Community Council
Marine Institute
University of Manitoba
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Association, Inc.
Shorefast Foundation
ACAP Humber Arm
Geological Survey of NL
Northeast Avalon ACAP
