TOBIQUE – Improved survival rates of wild Atlantic salmon and other fish species on the St. John River watershed is the goal of a downstream fish passage at the Tobique Generating Station. The passageway, which was unveiled on Nov. 20, was constructed by NB Power at a cost of $9 million.

The project was a joint effort among NB Power, the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, local conservation groups and First Nations. It is part of a larger plan aimed at improving the protection of fish and fish habitat near hydro facilities on the St. John River watershed.

“We are very proud to have worked with our partners to make this a reality,” said NB Power president and CEO Gaëtan Thomas. “This is a great day for the St. John River system and for the future of migratory fish in the river.”

“This is tremendously important to our area and I want to thank everyone who has worked to make this happen,” said Agriculture, Mines and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Harvey. “The work carried out here over the past few months will mean a great deal to future generations.”

Harvey spoke on behalf of Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Bill Fraser, whose department was involved in co-ordinating the project.

“The work carried out here over the past few months will mean a great deal to the future generations of the Wolastoq nation,” said Tobique First Nation Chief Ross Perley. “It is the first step in the right ...