Harper Government Invests in Recreational Fisheries Projects on Vancouver Island, British Columbia

QUALICUM BEACH, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - July 28, 2015) - The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of State and Chief Government Whip, and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, highlighted today the Government of Canada's investment in 16 projects that support recreational fisheries on Vancouver Island. Through the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program (RFCPP), the groups carrying out these projects will receive up to $977,000 to support the conservation of fish habitat on Vancouver Island.

Part of the National Conservation Plan, the RFCPP was created in 2013 to restore Canada's recreational fisheries habitat and to support the sustainability and ongoing productivity of our recreational fisheries. The program proved immediately successful, prompting the Government of Canada to increase its investment through Economic Action Plans 2014 and 2015 to a total of $55 million until 2018-2019.

The 16 projects are located in watersheds and foreshores on Vancouver Island. The groups leading these projects will contribute to the conservation and restoration of our country's natural environment. Under the fourth round of the RFCPP, up to $4.85 million has been made available for 61 projects across British Columbia.

The 16 projects on Vancouver Island receiving support are:

• Little Qualicum Estuary - Cortes Road Dike Breach/ Removal
• Cowichan Shoreline Stewardship Project
• Centennial Creek Restoration Project
• Restoration of the Queen's ditch formerly known as Lazo Creek
• Brooklyn Creek 2015 Channel Enhancement Project
• Tod Creek Flats Restoration Project
• 2015 Piercy Creek Tributary 1 Fish Access and Habitat Restoration Project
• Ah;ta;apq Creek Restoration Project
• Hectate Park Beach Nourishment and Restoration Project
• Restoring Fish Habitat in Averill and Bings Creek
• Haslam Creek Restoration
• Kin Beach Shoreline Restoration Project
• Swan Creek Gardens Riparian Restoration Project
• Restoring Fish Habitat in the Conference Creek Watershed, Phase 3
• San Juan River Stabilization Project
• Kingfisher Creek Restoration Project

Since 2006, the Harper Government has taken important steps to conserve and restore our country's natural environment and connect Canadians to our rich natural heritage. Details about the RFCPP can be found on the RFCPP Web site.

Quick Facts

• Since the launch of the program in 2013, almost $16 million has already been committed to more than 280 projects across Canada.
• Under the fourth round of the RFCPP, over $10.4 million was committed for over 180 projects to be undertaken nationally between 2015 and 2016.
• Recreational fishing contributes significantly to the Canadian economy, especially in rural areas. In 2010, for example, angling generated $8.3 billion for local economies.
• The fifth round of funding applications will be open from October 26 to December 16, 2015.

Quotes

"The Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program allows our Government to support an important economic sector while also ensuring sustainable fisheries. I would like to congratulate the proponents who applied under this program. We are supporting groups across the country to undertake restoration projects that will benefit their communities for years to come."

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

"I am proud to be 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 much like those here on Vancouver Island. Together with our like-minded partners, we will continue to advocate for the restoration and conservation of fishing habitat across the nation."

The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of State and Chief Government Whip, and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North

"The British Columbia Conservation Federation thanks Minister Duncan and the Government of Canada for their commitment to the restoration project here in the Little Qualicum Estuary, as well as the other locations across Vancouver Island announced today. The funding announced today will help with estuary reclamation and habitat improvements that are vitally important to ecosystems supporting recreational fisheries on Vancouver Island"

James Craig, Senior Project Manager, British Columbia Conservation Federation

"Vancouver Island is a thriving focal point of Pacific salmon conservation in British Columbia and the Pacific Salmon Foundation is proud to partner each year with volunteer streamkeepers, First Nations, and conservation organizations all along Vancouver Island to conserve and restore critical Pacific salmon habitat. Our support for Vancouver Island projects is possible because of funds generated by federal Salmon Conservation Stamps, and through a long-standing partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Community-based volunteer organizations have tremendous capacity to leverage investments like those made by PSF and we commend the Government of Canada for acknowledging this fact with additional investments through the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program."

Michael Meneer, Vice President, Pacific Salmon Foundation.

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

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