Thanks to one of the largest investments ever in salmon habitat restoration in the Fraser River Estuary, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) can continue its habitat conservation efforts.
Last week, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced more than $5 million in funding for three major conservation projects in the Fraser River Estuary to restore salmon habitat. The projects will receive funding through the British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund, a contribution program funded jointly by the federal and provincial government to support B.C.’s fish and seafood sector, and to ensure the sustainability of wild Pacific salmon.
The Sturgeon Bank Sediment Enhancement project, the Alaksen National Wildlife Area Tidal Marsh Restoration project, and the North Arm Jetty Breaches will restore Fraser River Estuary tidal marsh habitat for Chinook, coho, steelhead, and sockeye salmon populations. The work will also benefit other species and populations, along with white sturgeon, and other wild B.C. fish stocks.
DUC will partner with Raincoast Conservation Foundation, Tsawwassen First Nation and the Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance to deliver the projects over the next two years.
Sarah Nathan, manager of provincial operations for DUC in B.C., says that collaboration will be key for delivering these large, complex projects.
“Our work is partnership-driven and these projects will be further examples of how conservation can occur with effective collaboration and innovation,” says Nathan.
