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 near the Mactaquac Dam on the St. John River, is being shut down by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans along with another facility in Coldbrook, N.S., as part of cost-cutting measures by the government.
The decision to discontinue the facility and the associated Atlantic salmon live gene bank program has raised concerns among the Wolastoqey group, which represents six Wolastoqey communities. They expressed dismay over not being consulted about the closure, emphasizing the impact on their Aboriginal and Treaty rights, as well as the salmon population in the river.
Various programs at the Mactaquac facility, overseen by experts like Tommi Linnansaari from the University of New Brunswick, play a vital role in salmon conservation efforts. These programs involve collecting wild brood stock, fertilizing eggs, and releasing baby salmon into different parts of the river. The closure of the facility could lead to dire consequences for salmon populations in the region.
David Roth, the New Brunswick program director for the Atlantic Salmon Federation, highlighted the critical role of the facility in sustaining salmon populations in the St. John River. He warned that shutting down the hatchery and ending stocking programs would have catastrophic effects on the already dwindling salmon population.
The Wolastoqey Nation is evaluating the repercussions of the closure, including its impact on employment, training opportunities, and salmon conservation initiatives. The historical agreement between the federal government and N.B. Power to operate the Mactaquac facility as part of the ecological mitigation efforts of the dam underscores the importance of maintaining fish passage and supporting salmon populations.
While the reasons behind the closure remain unclear, stakeholders like Linnansaari and Roth are hopeful that alternative solutions or funding mechanisms could be explored to ensure the continuation of critical conservation efforts. They stressed the need for infrastructure upgrades and continuous support to enhance the effectiveness of salmon recovery programs and prevent irreversible damage to the ecosystem.