January 13, 2015 - Port Alberni, British Columbia
On Vancouver Island, the federal government partnered with the Central Westcoast Forest Society, Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society and Nuu-Chah-Nulth/WCVI Aquatic Management Society to undertake fish habitat improvements along the Taylor River and Roger Creek, Shelly Creek, and Tofino-area creeks. Member of Parliament Dr. James Lunney, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, highlighted today the Government of Canada’s investment through the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program (RFCPP) of up to $439,671 in these projects.
As part of the National Conservation Plan, the RFCPP was created to restore Canada’s waterways and to ensure sustainability and ongoing productivity of our recreational fisheries. Given its success in ensuring a more coordinated approach to conservation efforts across the country, and the high demand, the Government of Canada increased the investment in the Economic Action Plan 2014 to a total of $25 million.
Under the third round of the RFCPP, up to $2,587,043 has been made available for 30 projects in British Columbia.
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. Details about notable, past projects can be found on the Program’s Web site.
“The Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program allows our Government to support an important economic sector while also ensuring sustainable fisheries. Our Government is proud to support the work of these organizations that will benefit Canadian communities for years to come.”
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
“I am proud to be a part of a government that recognizes the vital role our recreational fisheries, play, both as part of our Canadian heritage and in supporting rural economies in communities along Vancouver Island. Together with our like-minded partners, we will continue to advocate for the restoration and conservation of fishing habitat across the nation.”
Dr. James Lunney, Member of Parliament for Nanaimo-Alberni
“We’re so pleased to be able to start restoring fish habitat in Shelly Creek, an impacted urban stream in the Englishman River watershed, but, as we recently discovered, an important stream for rearing coho. Much of the project’s labour will be done by volunteers.”
Faye Smith, Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society
“We’re excited about this project, which addresses critical habitat for cutthroat trout and coho salmon by restoring fish passage under the Pacific Rim Highway and enabling fish to regain access to historic upstream habitat in Tofino area creeks.”
Jessica Hutchinson, Central Westcoast Forest Society
“We are extremely grateful for the wonderful financial support provided through the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program. We have been able to tackle some longstanding habitat issues with the funding and are very pleased with the results. This program provided us with the means to increase productive habitat for fisheries. Our community is known as the Ultimate Fishing Town and salmon are a vital component for all members of our region.”
Sheena Falconer, Nuu-Chah-Nulth/WCVI Aquatic Management Society
Sophie Doucet
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474
Michele Boriel
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-990-7537
NR-PR-15-03E
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