Atlantic salmon

Atlantic salmon is a culturally significant species for First Nations and a prized catch for recreational fishers. This iconic species must overcome a wide array of challenges and evade numerous predators over its life cycle. After spending its first two to three years in freshwater, Atlantic salmon migrates to the ocean where it grows to adulthood over one to three years, later returning to its birthplace to spawn.

Conservation efforts

Each year, our Resource Conservation staff operate two smelt box nets to trap, count, and tag adult salmon in the park. Some healthy individuals are transported to a nearby hatchery for the production of fertilized eggs. Along with non-governmental partner organizations, the park is involved in efforts to implant these fertilized eggs in suitable spawning habitat within park watersheds. Genetic samples are also taken from each captured adult to survey genetic diversity and verify the effectiveness of our conservation efforts

Fun fact

The salmon can leap up waterfalls of up to 4.5 metres high (15 feet), hence its scientific name, Salmo salar, which means “leaping salmon” in Latin.