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Biologists ask B.C. government to reconsider wildlife agency funded by hunters
Published on: July 17, 2017 | Last Updated: July 17, 2017 4:18 PM PDT
Undated photo of grizzly bear hunt in British Columbia. PROVINCE
Dozens of wildlife groups are speaking out against the creation of a new provincial agency dedicated to wildlife management, saying the B.C. government prioritized the views of hunters over scientists.
Announced by the Liberal government before the start of the election campaign, the stand-alone agency was to be formed in the fall with $5 million in government funds. In following years, it would be supported by hunting licence revenue of up to $10 million annually.
The use of hunting revenue to support wildlife stewardship was met with enthusiastic approval from hunting groups like the B.C. Wildlife Federation and the Guide Outfitters Association, both of which were quoted in a government press release issued in March.
But the announcement came as a complete shock to dozens of other conservation groups that don’t have a stake in the wildlife harvest, said Pamela Zevit, director with the Association of Professional Biology.
“We heard about it in the media,” Zevit said Friday. “We’re not saying there shouldn’t be a new agency, but we’re concerned about who is deciding what it will look like. It is important that modern science guides wildlife management decisions.”
Earlier this week, the association fired off a letter to premier-designate John Horgan and Green party leader Andrew Weaver, asking for a seat at the table.
But other groups have gone further, asking the new government to halt plans for the agency all together.
In a letter supported by 17 organizations and businesses, B.C. Nature president Alan Burger asked the government to review its wildlife management strategy, adding “there is an urgent need … to look beyond consumptive use of wildlife and put the priority on managing for healthy and functioning ecosystems.”
Another letter, this one signed by 23 wildlife groups, including the SPCA and the Wilderness Committee, urged the new government to increase wildlife management staff and funding for government ministries rather than creating a separate agency.
The letter cites a radio interview given by Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett in the days following the announcement, in which he said the government was afraid to manage wolves and grizzly bears because of the politics involved. Conservation groups say hunting groups are even more ill-suited to the task.
The letter also expressed concern an independent agency could be influenced by donations and funding from outside groups.
“If the fees for hunting licences were to go directly to a non-government agency that decides hunting quotas, the agency can then increase its own funding, staff and salaries by selling more hunting tags,” says the letter.
“This would induce managers to turn a blind eye to the scientific facts governing wildlife populations, and the focus would be on increasing the numbers of game animals, rather than on ecosystem health.”
While the government pledged to continue to dedicate $2.6 million each year to the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation for its conservation projects, scientists are also concerned that work on species at risk could become secondary to animals that can be hunted.
The NDP said it was unable to comment before its new cabinet has been sworn in.
gluymes@postmedia.com
twitter.com/glendaluymes
Related
Published on: July 17, 2017 | Last Updated: July 17, 2017 4:18 PM PDT
Undated photo of grizzly bear hunt in British Columbia. PROVINCE
Dozens of wildlife groups are speaking out against the creation of a new provincial agency dedicated to wildlife management, saying the B.C. government prioritized the views of hunters over scientists.
Announced by the Liberal government before the start of the election campaign, the stand-alone agency was to be formed in the fall with $5 million in government funds. In following years, it would be supported by hunting licence revenue of up to $10 million annually.
The use of hunting revenue to support wildlife stewardship was met with enthusiastic approval from hunting groups like the B.C. Wildlife Federation and the Guide Outfitters Association, both of which were quoted in a government press release issued in March.
But the announcement came as a complete shock to dozens of other conservation groups that don’t have a stake in the wildlife harvest, said Pamela Zevit, director with the Association of Professional Biology.
“We heard about it in the media,” Zevit said Friday. “We’re not saying there shouldn’t be a new agency, but we’re concerned about who is deciding what it will look like. It is important that modern science guides wildlife management decisions.”
Earlier this week, the association fired off a letter to premier-designate John Horgan and Green party leader Andrew Weaver, asking for a seat at the table.
But other groups have gone further, asking the new government to halt plans for the agency all together.
In a letter supported by 17 organizations and businesses, B.C. Nature president Alan Burger asked the government to review its wildlife management strategy, adding “there is an urgent need … to look beyond consumptive use of wildlife and put the priority on managing for healthy and functioning ecosystems.”
Another letter, this one signed by 23 wildlife groups, including the SPCA and the Wilderness Committee, urged the new government to increase wildlife management staff and funding for government ministries rather than creating a separate agency.
The letter cites a radio interview given by Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett in the days following the announcement, in which he said the government was afraid to manage wolves and grizzly bears because of the politics involved. Conservation groups say hunting groups are even more ill-suited to the task.
The letter also expressed concern an independent agency could be influenced by donations and funding from outside groups.
“If the fees for hunting licences were to go directly to a non-government agency that decides hunting quotas, the agency can then increase its own funding, staff and salaries by selling more hunting tags,” says the letter.
“This would induce managers to turn a blind eye to the scientific facts governing wildlife populations, and the focus would be on increasing the numbers of game animals, rather than on ecosystem health.”
While the government pledged to continue to dedicate $2.6 million each year to the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation for its conservation projects, scientists are also concerned that work on species at risk could become secondary to animals that can be hunted.
The NDP said it was unable to comment before its new cabinet has been sworn in.
gluymes@postmedia.com
twitter.com/glendaluymes
Related
