The project is centered on the Cooke-backed Wild Salmon Marine Conservation Farm on Grand Manan Island, where juvenile salmon are raised to maturity before being released into their native rivers.
Fort Folly First Nation has achieved a significant milestone in the restoration of Atlantic salmon in New Brunswick’s Petitcodiac watershed. In memory of the late Chief Joseph “Joe” Knockwood, the First Nation has released over 1,300 endangered Atlantic salmon into the Pollett River as part of the Fundy Salmon Recovery project. This release, the largest to date, underscores Fort Folly’s commitment to bringing back a species critical to the region’s cultural and ecological heritage.
The release, held throughout September and October, is part of the larger Fundy Salmon Recovery initiative—a collaboration involving Fort Folly First Nation, Parks Canada, Cooke Aquaculture, the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association, the University of New Brunswick, and the Province of New Brunswick. The goal of the project is to re-establish the inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic salmon, which have faced severe population declines due to habitat degradation and other environmental pressures.
“This project is about more than just ecological recovery; it’s about reclaiming and sharing our cultural identity, healing historical wounds, and promoting sustainable stewardship of our lands and waters,” said Chief Rebecca Knockwood of Fort Folly First Nation. Elder Donna Augustine and Knowledge Keeper Nicole Porter led the release ceremony, honoring Chief Joe Knockwood, whose vision laid the groundwork for salmon recovery in the Petitcodiac.
The project is centered on the world’s first Wild Salmon Marine Conservation Farm on Grand Manan Island, where juvenile salmon are raised to maturity before being released into their native rivers. This unique approach aims to increase survival rates by allowing the salmon to develop in a natural environment. “This year’s release of an historic number of wild Atlantic salmon into the Petitcodiac river system is proof of what can be accomplished when a diverse group of partners join forces toward a shared goal,” said Susan Farquharson, Executive Director of the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association. “Aquaculture expertise and technology is helping to change the face of wild Atlantic Salmon recovery, and we’re proud to collaborate with our partners at Fundy Salmon Recovery to create real, lasting change in our river systems.”
Vice President of Public Relations at Cooke Aquaculture. Photo: Cooke Aquaculture
Joel Richardson, Vice President of Public Relations at Cooke Aquaculture, emphasized the role of aquaculture in the project: “Modern marine salmon farming science and technology is helping rebuild wild salmon stocks that are so important to the culture, history and economy of New Brunswick and First Nation communities. We are committed to supporting local and Indigenous wild salmon recovery, habitat restoration and enhancement initiatives through research, funding and in-kind support. Cooke Aquaculture’s role in Fundy Salmon Recovery is to care for the fish in the world’s first wild salmon marine conservation farm in Dark Harbour on Grand Manan Island.”
Dr. Kurt Samways, Associate Professor at the University of New Brunswick, shared his perspective on the impact of the project, stating, “The Fundy Salmon Recovery model serves as a conservation tool, has changed the face of Atlantic Salmon restoration, and has resulted in increased wild-hatched juvenile salmon production, increased number of adult salmon returning to spawn, and healthier, more productive rivers. For inner Bay of Fundy rivers, and in particular the Petitcodiac River, it is not about conserving what is left, it is all about rebuilding a lost population. I am so proud to share in these achievements and play a part in this impactful work.”
