Kamloops – Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops – Thompson – Cariboo, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, recently announced investments under the second round of the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program.
“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,” said McLeod. “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 Government of Canada will provide the British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association Farmland Riparian Interface Stewardship Program (FRISP) up to $75,000 to implement recreational fisheries habitat restoration.
“While this new money for FRISP benefits ranching operations, it is also enhances fish habitat. The development of this exciting new partnership with Recreational Fisheries Conservation recognizes the role of the ranching industry as stewards of these watersheds,” said David Haywood-Farmer, President of the BC Cattlemen’s Association.
Further the British Columbia Conservation Foundation will receive $46,637 to improve access to upstream spawning habitats for salmon in the Tranquille River.
“In the recent past spawning salmon have not been able to get up Tranquille creek due to Tranquille River flows being spread out into small rivlets across a large sandbar that forms at the mouth of the river. It is hoped that the several flow diversion structures will force the flows into one main channel. With all the flow in one channel we expect returning salmon to once again spawn in Tranquille River,” said Sandy MacDonald of the Kamloops and District Fish and Game Association.
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, Economic Action Plan 2014 increased the funding available through the program by $15 million, for a total investment of $25 million.
Under the first round of the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program, up to $1,813,000 million had been made available for 28 projects in British Columbia. Up to $5.5 million for 128 projects to restore recreational fisheries habitat through Round II have been approved nationally.
A third window for funding applications will be open shortly. Details about eligibility and how to apply are available 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.