Opportunities - Newfoundland shows us how it’s done

How the community driven Environment Resources Management Association (ERMA) initiative increased Newfoundland’s Exploits River adult salmon population from 1,500 in 1983 to 40,000 fish in 2011.

When the St. Mary’s River Association’s community-based river management project was active in the mid-1980s, I recall a scouting visit from a small western Newfoundland community group that heard about what we were doing on the St. Mary’s. That group became known as the Environment Resources Management Association (ERMA), website: http://www.exploitsriver.ca

In 1984 the Grand Falls Chamber of Commerce wanted to develop the Exploits River as a major Atlantic salmon producing river, creating much needed employment in the region. Lead by local volunteers, ERMA was formed to take on one of the largest economic developments yet seen in the Exploits valley, showing what cooperation among municipal, provincial and federal governments, along with industry and community groups can achieve.
 

The Atlantic Salmon Federation's Economic Value of Wild Atlantic Salmon report by Gardner Pinfold Consultants says "The Exploits is now recognized as a world-class salmon river and one of the most successful salmon enhancement projects in North America. Major investments in fishways, fish ladders, and stocking programs have successfully overcome the natural falls and hydroelectric dams that were initially constructed to support mining operations, forestry and pulp and paper production. These industries have ceased, leaving the Exploits to be developed for salmon fishing, paddling, and other eco-tourism opportunities."

"From 1974 to 1992 salmon broodstock from the lower section of the river was used to produce over 50 million salmon fry that were transported by helicopter and established all over the mid-Exploits up to Red Indian Lake. In the late 1970s the returning run of salmon numbered around 1500 and now the run is self-sustaining at about 40,000 fish. These salmon runs are now second only to the Miramichi as the largest runs in North America. The Salmonid Interpretation Centre draws about 26,000 visitors each year that want to learn about salmon and the Exploits."

The Gardner Pinfold report shows that the economic impact of Exploits River salmon angler spending was about $3 million in 2005. The Exploits has only recently developed as a world class salmon fishing destination, still fished largely by NL residents (over 98% in 2005), so there is excellent potential for further economic growth. The Exploits, Newfoundland’s largest river system, has capacity for a much larger adult salmon population than 40,000 and non resident anglers are just beginning to discover the river.