Mississauga Mayor joins conservation partners to restore Atlantic Salmon

OFAH File: 842/420S
May 17, 2006

For Immediate Release

Mississauga Mayor joins conservation partners to restore Atlantic Salmon
Fish stocking and media event – May 18 at 1:30 pm, Forks of the Credit Provincial Park

Tomorrow, Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion, along with many other special guests, will be doing their part to bring back Lake Ontario’s Atlantic salmon – one of the first species in Canada to be decimated by a failure to understand the principles of conservation.

Nearly 110 years after Lake Ontario’s original salmon were declared extirpated, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Credit Valley Conservation and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources are hosting the first large-scale stocking of Atlantic salmon in the historic Credit River. Tomorrow, about 44,000 Atlantic salmon will be released along the banks of the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park. Trees Ontario is also inviting special guests to help plant trees along the Credit River.

It’s all part of a massive five-year Atlantic Salmon Restoration Project that was officially unveiled on April 27 by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and its conservation partners which include Banrock Station Wines, LCBO, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association. Other project partners include Trees Ontario, Trout Unlimited Canada, Fishing Forever Foundation, Ducks Unlimited Canada and Fleming College.

“This is not just another fish stocking project – it’s a major conservation effort that will require a major focus on stream restoration. We are pleased to work with Credit Valley Conservation because their hard work has helped enhance and protect the Credit River watershed and laid the ground work for the future of Atlantic salmon,” said Dr. Terry Quinney, O.F.A.H. Provincial Manager of Fish and Wildlife Services.

Dr. Quinney also noted that because of their restoration efforts, the following local stakeholders have also set the stage for the return of Atlantic salmon in the Credit River and Lake Ontario: Credit River Anglers Association, Greg Clark Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Izaak Walton Fly Fishers Club, Ontario Streams, Credit River Alliance and the Belfountain Community Hatchery.

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