Harper Government agrees to further improve New Fisheries Act

OFAH FILE: 842
February 19, 2007

For Immediate Release

Harper Government agrees to further improve New Fisheries Act

Having received a technical briefing on the new Federal Fisheries Act (Bill C-45) from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (D.F.O.) on February 16, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) agrees with Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (O.M.N.R.) staff that the new Fisheries Act will benefit Ontario’s fisheries resources and aquatic ecosystems.

“We’re particularly pleased that D.F.O. Minister Hearn has promised to further improve the new Act, in consultation with the O.F.A.H. and others, regarding recreational fishing,” says Dr. Terry Quinney, O.F.A.H. Provincial Manager of Fish and Wildlife.

Recently, West Coast recreational angling interests identified problems with the new Act, but Minister Hearn, on behalf of the federal government, has assured the O.F.A.H. that he and D.F.O. staff will successfully solve those problems.

D.F.O. estimates that 4 million recreational anglers inject about $7 billion every year into the Canadian economy and a significant portion of that total is from Ontario fisheries.

“Keeping in mind that the M.N.R. has already been delegated a great deal of authority to manage Ontario’s fisheries resources by the federal government, the changes promised to us will entrench the importance of recreational fishing and involve anglers and conservation organizations, such as the O.F.A.H., more directly in decision making. We look forward to continuing our participation with the federal government as the Act proceeds through Parliament and the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans,” Quinney added.

In the meantime, the O.F.A.H. urges all Members of Parliament, regardless of political party, to assist our collective efforts by voting against the Disallowance Motion by the Standing Committee.

With 80,000 dues-paying members, and 650 member community-based clubs, the O.F.A.H. is Ontario’s largest fish and wildlife conservation organization.

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