Website Opens Consultation

[Derby]

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
2011FOR0210-001432

Nov. 7, 2011
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations






Website opens consultation on angling, hunting regulations



VICTORIA – A new, permanent public engagement website will give British Columbians an opportunity to review and comment on proposed angling, hunting and trapping regulations.



Regulations for angling, hunting and trapping are reviewed and developed every two years, with alternating years for fish and for wildlife. The website ensures the public can review and submit comments on proposed regulations, over and above government’s regular face-to-face stakeholder consultations.



The website http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/ahte/ is part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to enhance public engagement and create a more efficient and productive regulations-development process. New angling, hunting and trapping advisory teams have also been created to guide regulations development in collaboration with stakeholders.



Proposed regulations will be posted to the website for review and comment for approximately two to four weeks, depending on complexity. Each posted regulation shows the species, region, review period closing date, as well as a clear summary of the existing regulation, proposed regulation and the rationale for the change. Registered users can choose to receive email updates informing them of new proposal postings.





Quotes:



Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations –

“This website provides consistency and transparency to our consultations on angling, hunting and trapping regulations. Now everyone can view and comment on proposed regulations online, modernizing the way British Columbians can provide feedback.”



Mark Werner, president, Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia (GOABC) –

“The GOABC is excited about the ministry’s new online consultation website that allows users of fish and wildlife to provide comments. We believe this is one of many automated processes that will revolutionize communications on fish and wildlife in our province, and we congratulate the ministry on this step.”



Rodney Wiebe, president of the BC Wildlife Federation –

“We will work with the minister and government to improve the consultation process.”





Don Wilkins, president, B.C. Trappers Association –

“The B.C.Trappers Association fully endorses the creation of angling, hunting and trapping engagement website. This is a great opportunity for all members of the outdoor community to have some direct input into regulation development. This website will enhance the Provincial Angling, Hunting and Trapping Advisory Team of which the B.C. Trappers Assoc. is a member.:





Quick Facts:



· Freshwater anglers spend $480 million every year on equipment, travel and accommodation and hospitality services, supporting 7,500 direct jobs.

· Sustainable hunting by resident hunters and guide outfitters contributes approximately $350 million to the province annually.

· The guiding industry provides 2,000 jobs for rural communities and families, generating approximately $116 million in revenue each year.





Learn More:



To view the Angling and Hunting Engagement Website, visit: http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/ahte/

For more information on fish and wildlife management in B.C., visit: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/



Contact:

Cheekwan Ho

Media Relations

Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

250 356-5261




Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect

 

[Whole in the Water]

Looks like a good idea. Wonder if DFO will do the same????

 

[searun]

Interesting, appears this has served to spark the great bait debate again. Now that the Thompson is open again, we have the fly only crowd out banging the drums of closing rivers to fly only and banning bait. OMG, do these guys not know anything about the actual hooking mortality data. Do they not remember what split the SSBC apart, and how destructive that whole mess was for the sport fishing community!

The real issue is getting fish into our rivers, not what we huck at them. The beauty of our sport is the freedom of choice of what method of angling you choose to enjoy. Different strokes for different folks. There is real challenge and enjoyment from both drift and fly fishing, and what makes the recreational fishery stronger is having all anglers out enjoying their sport and working together to bring about more fish and angling opportunities. I sincerely hope this process does not get us fighting over what hook catches the last steelhead.

 

[Derby]

Ya being hearing some sad stories of confrontations on the Thompson River this year with the fly crowd being the aggressivors in theses situations...sad that we cannot share the rivers..plenty of room for all and all gear types....

 

[searun]

Yes, x2. Can't get my mind wrapped around why we all can't just work together to ensure there are more fish, which would add up to more fishing opportunities for all. Pretty disgusting scene up there. No interest in going up to the Thompson to experience that abomination. They ruined it. I think I'll choose to fish here on the Island where all the rivers are closed. They fixed the poor behavior problem. Truly innovative.