The Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation (ASCF) has announced the 2016-2017 recipients of their annual granting program. Over 1.08 million has been awarded to 61 projects across Atlantic Canada and Quebec. Ten projects led by CRI Science Directors and Associates were granted over $220,000, representing more than 20% of the provided funds.
The ASCF provides financial support to researchers and community organizations that work on conserving, restoring and protecting wild Atlantic salmon and its habitat in Atlantic Canada and Quebec.
Congratulations to the following successful projects led by CRI Science Directors and Associates:
Interprovincial projects
Dr. Normand Bergeron, CRI Associate, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS). Building a water temperature monitoring network in Canadian Atlantic salmon rivers. Approved grant: $25,000 for 2016 (3rd year of 3 year project, total: $75,000)
Dr. Tommi Linnansaari, CRI Associate, University of New Brunswick: Migration and survival of smolt, post-spawning (kelt) and adult Atlantic salmon in hydropower regulated Saint John River, New Brunswick. Approved grant: $46,000 for 2016 (2nd year of 3 year project, total: $118,500)
New Brunswick projects
Dr. Michelle Gray, CRI Science Director, University of New Brunswick: Thermal infrared remote sensing to identify critical thermal refuges in southern NB rivers. Approved amount: $7,000 for 2016 (2nd year of 2 year project, total: $27,000)
Kurt Samways, CRI PhD Candidate, University of New Brunswick: Restoring ecosystem health and increasing progeny fitness through marine reared native adult Atlantic salmon introductions. Approved grant: $28,000 for 2016 (2nd year of 3 year project, total: $84,000)
Dr. Rick Cunjak, CRI Science Director, University of New Brunswick: Patterns in the abundance and distribution of Atlantic salmon in Maritime Rivers. Approved grant: $25,000 (1st year of 2 year project, total: $50,000)
Dr. Tommi Linnansaari, CRI Associate, University of New Brunswick: Quantifying Striped Bass and Muskellunge Predation on Atlantic Salmon Smolts at the Base of the Mactaquac Dam, Saint John River, New Brunswick. Approved grant: $14,723
Quebec projects
Dr. Normand Bergeron, CRI Associate, Institut national de recherche scientifique: Fragmentation de l'habitat du saumon juvénile par les ponceaux routiers et forestiers
Approved grant: $25,000 for 2016 (2nd year of 3 year project; total $75,000)
Dr. Normand Bergeron, CRI Associate, Institut national de la recherche scientifique: Modélisation du potentiel de production des rivières à saumon du Québec à partir d’imagerie haute résolution. Approved grant : $30,000 in 2016 (1st year of 2 year project; total $60,000)
Dr. Normand Bergeron, CRI Associate, Institut national de la recherche scientifique: Utilisation des refuges thermiques par les saumons géniteurs. Approved grant: $15,000
Dr. André St-Hilaire, CRI Science Director, Institut national de la recherche scientifique: Inclusion de la température de l’eau dans un modèle généraliste d’habitat du saumon. Approved grant: $10,000 in 2016 (1st year of 3 year project; total $30,000)