Dr. Kurt Samways, a researcher at UNB Saint John, has been named the first Parks Canada research chair at UNB on aquatic restoration. (Parks Canada photo)
Parks Canada will host its first research chair at the University of New Brunswick on aquatic restoration.
Dr. Kurt Samways, a researcher at UNB Saint John, will study the ecological effects of Atlantic salmon recovery work underway to conserve or restore salmon stocks at five national parks including Fundy and Kouchibouguac.
Jonathan Wilkinson, the federal minister responsible for Parks Canada, said Dr. Samways has been selected for his decades of study and experience researching at Fundy National Park.
“As research chair, Dr. Samways’ work will support Parks Canada’s critical conservation efforts in freshwater ecosystems and assist with the important salmon restoration work occurring across Parks Canada’s Atlantic national parks over the next five years,” Wilkinson said.
Dr. Samways said salmon had nearly disappeared from the river systems at Fundy National Park.
He said he was able to demonstrate how salmon recovery can be used as a tool to restore river ecosystems because of the important nutrients they bring to freshwater ecosystems.
“It was working with Parks Canada and the Fundy Salmon Recovery Project that I saw the impact of true collaboration. Over the last five years, thousands of adult salmon have been released which has created a more productive ecosystem,” Samways said.
Salmon have been in steep decline for many decades, and additional science is required to support recovery efforts. Today @MPWayneLong & @UNBSaintJohn announced the first-ever @ParksCanada research chair aimed at salmon recovery in 5 national parks. Congratulations Dr. Samways! https://t.co/z3eM3JMpsz
— Jonathan Wilkinson (@JonathanWNV) November 5, 2020
UNB President Dr. Paul Mazerolle said it’s ” truly rewarding to be involved in protecting Canada’s national parks”.
“The recognition from Park Canada that UNB has been selected to host their first-ever research chair is significant. It reflects our commitment and expertise in creating knowledge about the
bodies of water that surround us and are so essential to our communities,” Dr. Mazerolle said.
Mazerolle added support from the federal government allows UNB to keep being seen as a research leader in rivers, streams and oceans in Atlantic Canada and around the world.
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