N.B. fish research facility closure draws scientists and Indigenous concern

The federal government is closing the Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility and discontinuing the Atlantic salmon live gene bank and related stocking work; scientists, conservationists and the Wolastoqey Nation say they were not consulted and warn of harm to salmon and treaty rights.

The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans has decided to close the Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility, a hatchery on the St. John River, and to discontinue the Atlantic salmon live gene bank and associated stocking activities. The closure is part of wider spending cuts that also affect a similar facility in Coldbrook, N.S. Scientists, conservation groups and the Wolastoqey Nation say they were not consulted and have raised concerns about the impacts on salmon conservation and on Aboriginal and treaty rights. Local researchers and conservationists say the facility has supported multiple recovery programs over decades and that its shutdown could affect returning salmon and ongoing work to maintain genetic strains. Known details: - The Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility will be closed and the Atlantic salmon live gene bank program discontinued, according to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans announcement. - The Wolastoqey advisory group said it was not consulted, called the decision unilateral, and stated the closure affects the Wolastoqiyik and their Aboriginal and Treaty rights. - Scientists and conservation groups reported that the facility has been used for brood-stock collection, stocking and operating the dam's fish lift, and they warned of negative effects on salmon populations. - N.B. Power said there are "changes coming" to the facility, that it will work with DFO during the transition, and that its understanding is the fish lift will continue to operate this year. Summary: Officials announced the closure and program discontinuations while local Indigenous leaders and scientists have begun technical and legal reviews of the decision and its impacts. The federal department said it will "refocus efforts" under existing species-at-risk and salmon strategy work and N.B. Power noted a transition period; the longer-term consequences for salmon recovery and for obligations tied to the facility are undetermined at this time.