May 23, 2014 - Carleton, Prince Edward Island
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 will provide close to $200,000 for seven projects to conserve fish habitat across Prince Edward Island.
The Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program was first announced in Economic Action Plan 2013 with $10 million 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, Economic Action Plan 2014 increased the funding available through the program by $15 million, for 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, which includes an investment of nearly $6 million (Round I) under the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program, that to date is supporting 94 fisheries habitat restoration projects across Canada. Funding to support up to an additional 128 projects (Round II) is underway with Round III still to be announced.
“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 Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Photo caption: Minister Gail Shea and representatives of the proponents having received funding under the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program pose for a picture. This program was created in June 2013 to support projects led by recreational fishing and angling groups, as well as conservation organizations, aimed at improving the conservation of recreational fisheries habitat. Front row: Tracy Brown, Bedeque Bay Environmental Management Association; Minister Shea and Tom Duffy of Ducks Unlimited. Back row: Dale Cameron, Trout Unlimited; David Cody of Kensington North Watersheds Association; David Crocker, Cascumpec Bay Watershed Association Inc. and Fred Cheverie, Souris & Area Branch of the PEI Wildlife Federation. This last group received funding for a project during round I of the Partnerships Program, last year.
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Frank Stanek
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
613-990-7537
Sophie Doucet
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474
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