Recreational fishing receives major financial boost from Federal government

OFAH FILE: 842
June 18, 2013

Recreational fishing in Canada receives major financial boost from Federal government
OFAH supports $10 million commitment to conservation activities

Earlier today, Randy Kamp, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and Manitoba MP Robert Sopuck, announced the formal launch of a Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnership Program to support the protection, restoration and rebuilding of recreational fishing habitat. The new fund, which was included in the federal budget earlier this year, will provide $10 million over two years to help local groups fund conservation projects related to fisheries and fish habitat.

The creation of a fund to improve conservation of fisheries through community partnerships is a grassroots program that acknowledges the key role that natural resources play in the development and economic well-being of the country, and recognizes the importance of protecting and enhancing the vital recreational fishery and fish habitat.

“Although the federal budget contained little in the way of discretionary funding, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) is pleased that new money has been allocated for a national program that recognizes the importance of outdoors traditions, specifically recreational fishing, which contributes more than $8 billion annually to the Canadian economy,” said OFAH Executive Director Angelo Lombardo. “The funding will support dozens of on the ground local projects in communities across Canada, and help to protect and enhance critical fish habitat. This is an example of the Harper government’s commitment to the outdoor community in Canada, and is synonymous with the work being undertaken by the federal Hunting and Angling Advisory Panel established last year.

Applications are now being accepted for the partnership program. Information and application forms can be found on the Department’s website at www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/habitat/rfcpp-ppcpr/index-eng.asp.

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is Ontario’s largest, nonprofit, fish and wildlife conservation-based organization, representing 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 710 member clubs. To learn more, visit www.ofah.org.

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RELATED LINKS

• Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnership Program Application