The Government of Canada Announces $28 Million to Support Recreational Fisheries Conservation Projects Over the Next Three Years


BOIS-BLANC, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwired - Aug. 19, 2016) - The Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program (RFCPP) supports recreational fisheries habitat restoration projects led by angling/fishing groups, conservation organizations and Indigenous groups to rebuild and rehabilitate fish habitat in Canada.

Parliamentary Secretary Serge Cormier, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced today in Bois-Blanc, New Brunswick, that the Government of Canada is investing $28 million in recreational fisheries habitat restoration projects across the country from 2016 to 2019. Of this investment, $10.7 million will be invested in 2016-2017.

Recreational fisheries face many environmental challenges, with habitat loss being the most common threat. The RFCPP provides an average of $10 million annually to support local and community partners to restore, rebuild and rehabilitate Canada's recreational fisheries habitat.

More specifically, Parliamentary Secretary Cormier announced $46,038 in funding under the RFCPP to the Comité de gestion environnementale de la rivière Pokemouche. This funding will enable the group to undertake work to restore the Maltempec Brook including selective clean-up, installation of deflecting trees as well as retaining walls and the selective cleaning of a portion of the Waugh Brook. A mixture of seeds and tree seedlings will be planted on the eroding banks of these two brooks.

Under previous rounds of the RFCPP, this group received funding to undertake various restoration projects for fish habitat to increase the population of brook trout and Atlantic salmon in Cowan's Creek and Maltempec Brook.

Quote

"Shared stewardship of our cherished tradition of recreational fishing is something all Canadians can take pride in. The Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program brings Canadians together with their government to conserve and protect the future of our recreational fishing. The Government of Canada is proud to support this community oriented initiative that restores our precious ecosystems to their natural form."

Serge Cormier, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Quick Facts

  • 10 volunteers will work on the Maltempec Brook and Waugh Brook restoration project. The project consists of: 500 m of riparian planting, 100 m of shoreline stabilization, 10,000m2 of in-water habitat and 2,500 m of enhancement of fish passage.
  • The RFCPP is a six-year, $53 million program that funds recreational fisheries habitat restoration projects.
  • Since its inception in 2013, the RFCPP has funded more than 440 projects, with contributions worth almost $24 million.
  • The RFCPP usually funds projects in the range of $20,000 to $100,000, with an upper limit of $250,000.

Associated Links

For more information on the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program:
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pnw-ppe/rfcpp-ppcpr/index-eng.html

RFCPP Success Stories:
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pnw-ppe/rfcpp-ppcpr/success-succes-eng.html

Funding for Round 5 Recreational Fisheries Habitat Projects Now Available:
http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?mthd=index&crtr.page=1&nid=1040079

Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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Contact Information:

Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-990-7537
Media.xncr@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Patricia Bell
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474
Patricia.Bell@dfo-mpo.gc.ca