Harper Government Invests In Recreational Fisheries Conservation Project In Megantic-L'Erable

QUÉBEC CITY, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Nov. 10, 2014) - The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister for La Francophonie, Minister of International Development and Member of Parliament for Mégantic-L'Érable, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced that, under the second round of the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program, the Government of Canada has committed $75,000 to support a fish habitat conservation project to be undertaken by the Groupe de concertation des bassins versants de la zone Bécancour in Saint-Pierre-de-Broughton.

The Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program was announced in Economic Action Plan 2013 to support fisheries habitat restoration projects led by recreational fishing and angling groups, as well as conservation organizations. Given its early success and high demand, an additional investment in Economic Action Plan 2014 increased the funding available through the program to a total investment of $25 million.

On May 15, 2014, the National Conservation Plan was launched to provide a more coordinated approach to conservation efforts across the country. Since 2006, the Government of Canada has taken important steps to conserve and restore our country's natural environment and connect Canadians to our rich natural heritage. To date, the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program has invested nearly $6 million under Round I in 94 fisheries habitat restoration projects across Canada, an additional 128 projects under Round II and recently over 80 projects committed for funding under Round III.

Details about the program can be found on the Program's Web site (www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pnw-ppe/rfcpp-ppcpr/index-eng.html) where you can also sign up for updates.

Quick Facts

• Under the first round of the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program, up to $1.2 million has been made available for 18 projects in Quebec.
• Under the second round of the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program more than $1.4 million has been made available for 28 projects in Quebec.
• The Groupe de conservation des bassins versants de la zone Bécancour, will undertake the enhancement of the Palmer River, Saint-Pierre-de-Broughton sector - 15^th and 16^th Range Roads. This project will aim to restore river sections to create alternating rapids and quiet pools in order to increase the diversity of available habitats for the brook trout. The enhancement of riffles and the installation of deflectors will help create stable and sustainable pools of various depths, concentrate the flow of water and curb erosion. All of these enhancements will help to foster the necessary conditions for the species' life cycle.
• Funding of up to $ 5.5 million for 128 projects to restore fish habitat for recreational fishing across the country were awarded as part of the second round.
• Under the third round of the RFCPP, up to $6.8M was committed to over 80 projects nationally that will be undertaken between 2014 and 2016.
• The fourth round of funding applications is now open until December 12, 2014.

Quotes

"Our Government is committed to supporting the individuals and organizations who are working along the shores of lakes, rivers and streams across this country to protect and restore fishing habitats for future generations. Recreational fishing is an important economic activity which attracts thousands of visitors to Canada and contributes billions of dollars to our economy every year. The projects funded by the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program will benefit Canadian communities for years to come."

The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister for La Francophonie, Minister of International Development, and Member of Parliament for Mégantic-L'Érable

"This type of intervention is perfectly aligned with the watershed organization's mission, which is to implement integrated management of the water in the Bécancour area watersheds. Making sustainable enhancements for habitat and fish reproduction is an action set out in the Plan directeur de l'eau, Quebec's water master plan. The Palmer River watershed project is a wonderful example of joint action and collaboration with our numerous partners from various spheres and we hope other such projects will be implemented in the near future."

Mr. Gilles Brochu, President of GROBEC