| May 21, 2008 | For Immediate Release |
M.N.R. Minister Cansfield to join celebration of
one million Atlantic salmon stocked into Lake Ontario
Huge milestone reached for one of North America’s largest freshwater conservation projects
Thanks to the efforts of the Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program (L.O.A.S.R.P.), the Atlantic salmon is making a comeback in Lake Ontario, after an absence of more than one hundred years.
On May 28, the L.O.A.S.R.P. will celebrate stocking ONE MILLION Atlantic salmon into Lake Ontario. The celebration and stocking will take place on the banks of the Credit River at the Belfountain Conservation Area in Belfountain. The Honourable Donna Cansfield, Minister of Natural Resources, will attend and will assist in the release of salmon fry into the Credit River.
The release of a million fish is a key milestone, made possible through the support of the major sponsor, Australia’s Banrock Station Wines, which has committed $1.25 million dollars to the project, their largest contribution to any conservation project outside Australia.
More than 30 partners and sponsors are taking part in the L.O.A.S.R.P. In addition to Banrock Station Wines, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Liquor Control Board of Ontario, Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association, Fishing Forever Foundation, Fleming College, Trout Unlimited Canada, as well as conservation authorities, local community groups and private landowners are providing support to the program.
The L.O.A.S.R.P. is one of the largest freshwater conservation projects in North America. The program includes fish production and stocking; habitat restoration and water quality enhancement; research and monitoring; and education and outreach.
| Event: | ONE MILLION Atlantic salmon stocked in a Lake Ontario tributary |
| Date: | May 28, 10:30 am |
| Attending: | Honourable Donna Cansfield, Minister of Natural Resources |
| Location: | Belfountain Conservation Area, 10 Credit Street, Belfountain (Caledon) |
| Map: | http://www.creditvalleycons.com/recandleisure/maps/belfountain.pdf |
With 83,000 members and 655 member clubs, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is the leading fish and wildlife conservation organization in Ontario. For more information about the L.O.A.S.R.P., visit www.bringbackthesalmon.ca or www.ofah.org.
Contact
| Lezlie Goodwin Communications Coordinator 705 748-6324 ext 270 | Chris Robinson O.F.A.H. Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program Coordinator 705 748-6324 ext 237 705 761-1276 (cell) |
