In March the government of British Columbia decided that 100 per cent of the revenue from angling license sales should benefit the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C. (FFSBC).
In real terms that amounts to ten million dollars annually for the society.
With this new agreement, the FFSBC will be able to do much more than just stocking lakes with fish.
The new funding agreement will enable it to work closely with biologists to improve fish habitats and support fishing opportunities throughout the province, assess fish stock management decisions and monitor compliance and enforcement on stocked and wild water bodies.
With this additional funding, the FFSBC is now recognized as one of the most progressive and accomplished fisheries management organizations in all of North America, generating economic benefits and providing world-class angling opportunities.
Given how popular recreational fishing is with residents and tourists in our province, this is an important decision.
Besides promoting recreational fishing, the society operates many fish hatcheries and education centres throughout the province, invests time and money to fish stock health and development research and conservation and fish recovery activities, among many other programs.
The great work the FFSBC does can be witnessed right here in the Nicola Valley with the hundreds of lakes that are stocked with fish that are raised in one of the many hatcheries in the area.
These lakes attract anglers from all over the province and even from abroad.
Every year when temperatures become warmer we see wave after wave of vehicles towing boat trailers descending upon our quaint town.
Indeed, fishing is a popular recreational activity in British Columbia.
I have for many years been an advocate of programs similar to the American Pittman-Robertson Act.
This is a law that was enacted in 1937, and named after the two senators that sponsored it.
It that stipulates that all revenue from hunting and fishing licences, plus the revenue from a special “Sportsman Tax” added to any goods and services related to hunting and fishing must go back into wildlife and habitat conservation.
Now, finally, here in B.C., money raised from the sale of licenses is channeled appropriately into fish conservation instead of ending up in the general coffers of the government as was previously the case. It makes sense that anglers paying millions of dollars for license purchases want to see their money used for fish and fishing.
Enacting a law that earmarks licence revenue to the Fresh Water Fishery Society of BC is an important step to ensuring that fish and fish habitat conservation and the promotion of fishing as a wholesome recreational activity for the whole family is secured for many generations to come. I am hoping we will eventually see similar laws enacted in the hunting sector of outdoor activities for not just BC but for all of Canada as well.
