Developing the Best Freshwater Fisheries in North America Adrian Clarke BCWF AGM and Convention April 23, 2016
1. Who we are 2. What your licence dollars are funding and Why 3. How can we make fishing in BC even better?
Who We Are Established March 2003 Private, non-profit Funded through fishing licence revenues Service provider and partner to provincial government.
Mandate Conserve and enhance the freshwater fisheries resources of BC for the benefit of the public.
Freshwater Fisheries Society Locations: Hatcheries Fraser Valley (Abbotsford) Kootenay (Fort Steele) Clearwater Summerland Vancouver Island (Duncan) Vanderhoof Corporate Office Victoria Research & Marketing Vancouver (UBC)
What We Don t Do Regulate or manage freshwater fisheries Provincial Government Sell licences or set and collect licence fees Province of BC Enforce Fishing Regulations Conservation Officer Services Regulate or manage salmon fisheries Department of Fisheries and Oceans
What We Do and Why
Stock 800+ lakes annually
Grow and release sturgeon for recovery programs.
Research to improve recreational fisheries
Help remove barriers to fishing
New investments
Supporting Wild and Stocked Fisheries $1.5 million annual investment priority small lake, large lake and river recreational fisheries Why? To improve angler satisfaction
Funded Projects for 2015-2016 Committee Number Activity Areas Total $ Small Lakes 28 12 effort, 3 habitat, 1 planning, 5 research, 7 stock assessment Large Lakes 16 Alouette Reservoir boat launch, habitat, stock assessment, modelling support, (effort, recovery, research, habitat, outreach, stock assessment) Rivers 19 1 access, 9 stock assessment, 2 habitat, 2 research, 3 River Guardian, 1 modelling tool, 1 human dimensions $402 K $365 K $335 K Total 63 $1.1 M * Partnerships and leverage funding with HCTF, NSERC + MITACS, municipalities, BC Parks, DFO, COS
Recommended Projects for 2016-2017 Committee Number Activity Areas Total $ Small Lakes 28 3 access, 8 effort, 3 habitat, 1 planning, 5 research, 7 stock assessment, 1 mapping Large Lakes 6-17 Kootenay recovery, habitat, stock assessment, modelling support, (effort, recovery, research, habitat, outreach, stock assessment) $401 K $411 K Rivers 17 2 access, 7 stock assessment, 1 habitat, 2 research, 3 River Guardian, 1 modelling tool, 1 human dimensions $461 K Total 62 $1.3 M * Partnerships and leverage funding with HCTF, NSERC + MITACS, municipalities, BC Parks, DFO, COS
Enhanced Enforcement Partnership with MOE s CO Service to increase presence on priority lakes and rivers (pilot in 4 regions) 288 person-days (2,000 hours) of incremental patrol effort 590 patrols & checked 4,000 anglers (May October) 15% were non-compliant Wildlife Act Violation Tickets, Fisheries Act Violation Tickets 10% warning tickets
Improving Access to Fisheries
2015 Docks: Poirier (Region 1) Tunkwa (Region 3) Jimsmith (Region 4) Ten Mile and Reservoir (Region 5) Ross (Region 6) Eena and Shane (Region 7a) Shannon (Region 8) 2015 Boat Launches: Alouette Lake (Region 2) Elk River (Region 4)
Marketing BC Fishing Marketing BC Fishing Fishing is a key sector for BC tourism identified within provincial tourism plans. Funding from NEW Destination BC Co-operative Marketing Partnerships Program. Increase Increase tourism visitor revenues expenditures - via fishing sector Raise Raise profile profile BC s of fishing recreational opportunities fishing in sector BC. Manage opportunities by fish segments.
Hatchery Upgrades Reducing energy and water consumption Producing better stocked fish Major renovation projects: Kootenay Trout Hatchery (2015) Clearwater Trout Hatchery (2016)
Building on 13 years of success, we re helping: 1. Develop a collaborative and effective fisheries management program 2. Improve public recreational fishing opportunities
All non-tidal fishing fees are being invested back in the resource (more than ever before). We have an excellent opportunity to make fishing in BC even better.
8 th World Recreational Fisheries Conference July 16 20, 2017, Victoria, BC Held every 3 years, this is the only international conference focused solely on recreational fisheries. Learn from & connect with 300+ individuals from 25+ countries around the world. Want to participate or be a sponsor? Keep up to date by visiting www.gofishbc.com or WRFC8 on Facebook