And Mr Williams said fishermen want to be involved in the future of the industry by becoming involved in collecting data for future conservation work.

BBC: Sion Williams

But Mr. Blaney, assistant director at the nonprofit Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Center, says a native Canadian variety deserves to be on the note instead.

WSJ: Canada's New Banknotes Strike Some as Loonie

"I think it's just an after-the-fact excuse, " said Sean Blaney, senior botanist at the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre, who first brought the image to the attention of the broadcaster CBC.

BBC: 'Wrong' maple leaf on Canadian banknotes