Minister Shea Presents a Recreational Fisheries Award to the B.C. Sport Fishing Advisory Board in Recognition of Their 50th Anniversary

RICHMOND, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - April 14, 2014) - The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, presented the Sport Fishing Advisory Board with a special Recreational Fisheries Award to commemorate their 50^th anniversary as an advisory body.

Quick Facts

• The Sport Fishing Advisory Board was created in 1964 to provide advice to the federal government on the salmon fishery in B.C. As such, it is one of the longest-standing advisory bodies working with the Department, and has been independently recognized as a model for other departmental advisory processes.
• The Board's role has expanded over the years and now encompasses all recreational fishing in B.C. tidal waters and salmon fishing in B.C. fresh waters.
• Canada's National Recreational Fisheries Awards were created in 1989 to recognize outstanding contributions by individuals and organizations in areas such as recreational community leadership, restoring and enhancing fisheries and fish habitat or promoting conservation and sustainable recreational fishing.
• As part of Economic Action Plans 2013 and 2014, the Government of Canada is investing $25 million in its new Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program. Under this program, the Government of Canada partners with local groups to implement a variety of projects that restore, rebuild or rehabilitate recreational fisheries habitat.

Quotes

• "Recreational fishing is a tradition worth preserving and protecting for future generations. I offer my sincere congratulations to the Sport Fishing Advisory Board for their outstanding contribution to recreational fishing in Canada."
• "Our Government is proud to help our fishing, angling and conservation partners that truly make a difference in protecting and preserving our rich fisheries and their habitat. Under our $25 million Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program, we partner with local groups to implement a variety of projects that restore, rebuild or rehabilitate recreational fisheries habitat."

• "I am delighted that the Honourable Gail Shea joined us to celebrate our 50^thanniversary. It is tangible evidence of the determination of Minister Shea and her predecessors to ensure that the voice of tidal anglers is heard when fisheries management decisions are being considered. Past and present SFAB representatives from all over the province joined Minister Shea and former Fisheries Ministers to share 50 years of memories of working together for the sake of both fish and recreational fishing."

Internet:

For more information about the National Recreational Fisheries Awards, please visit http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/rfa-ppr/awards-prix_e.htm.

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