The Nova Scotia Salmon Association works with many partners to help create productive aquatic habitats in Nova Scotia.

 

Nova Scotia Anglers

 

Since its establishment in 2005, the Nova Scotia Sportfish Habitat Fund (NSSHF) has been the primary source of project funding of the Adopt A Stream program.  Having this directed revenue available annually, from the habitat fee on recreational fishing licenses, provides a foundation community groups can build upon to undertake increasingly comprehensive fish habitat restoration in their local watersheds all across the province.

This angler generated revenue is held in the Nova Scotia Sportfish Habitat Fund which is administered by the Sportfish Habitat Fund Committee.  This Committee is chaired by the Inland Fisheries Division of the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture and is comprised of members from the recreational angling community.

The funding that the NSSA receives from the Nova Scotia Sportfish Habitat Fund is distributed to community groups for habitat restoration projects which have been approved through the review committee process.

The Organized Recreational Fishing Community

The NSSA is a member of the Inland Fisheries Advisory Committee (IFAC), as are the NS Federation of Anglers and Hunters, the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF), and the Canadian Association of Smallmouth Anglers (CASA).  It was through discussions at this committee, in late 1997, that the NSSA assumed the lead role in the delivery of the Adopt A Stream program on behalf of the member organizations.

Government Agencies

Nova Scotia Fisheries and Aquaculture – Inland Fisheries Division is a key supporter of the program. 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is a strong supporter and provides financial assistance through the Recreational Fisheries Community Partnership Program

The  Adopt A Stream program strives to ensure high quality habitat restoration work and equitable distribution of resources (both funding and technical assistance) to community groups undertaking fish habitat restoration projects. This is achieved through a multi-agency proposal review process and technical support during the design, layout, and implementation of projects. 

Chaired by the NSSA, the review committees are comprised of representatives from government agencies with regulatory and management responsibilities for fisheries and habitat –

• NS Fisheries (Inland Fisheries Division)
• NS Environment, and
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (both Habitat and Fisheries Management divisions)

Community Groups

Our key partners are the community groups active in their local watersheds. Currently there are about 30 groups actively participating in habitat restoration and watershed stewardship projects across the province.