The Government of Canada has invested up to $18 million to date to restore recreational fisheries habitat through the National Conservation Plan

November 5, 2014 – Québec, Quebec

The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, and Member of Parliament for Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today highlighted that under the second round of the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program the Government of Canada provided $16,200 to the Société d’aménagement de conservation d’environnement et d’exploitation rationnelle de la faune (SACERF) des Passes to conserve fish habitat at four locations:

Roland Lake
Passe Lake
A tributary of Moffat Lake
A tributary of Grand Étang Lake

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, an additional investment in Economic Action Plan 2014 increased the funding available through the program to a total investment of $25 million.

On May 15, 2014, the National Conservation Plan was launched to provide a more coordinated approach to conservation efforts across the country. Since 2006, the Government of Canada has taken important steps to conserve and restore our country’s natural environment and connect Canadians to our rich natural heritage. To date, the program has invested nearly $6 million under Round I in 94 fisheries habitat restoration projects across Canada, an additional 128 projects under Round II are receiving up to $5.5 million, and most recently under Round III more than 80 projects to be undertaken between 2014 and 2016 were deemed eligible for funding nationally. The fourth round of funding applications is now open until December 12, 2014.

Details about the program can be found on the Program’s Web sit where you can also sign up for updates.

Quick Facts
This important project restored access to spawning sites for the brook trout by cleaning water courses, enhancing sills and dismantling beaver dams.
Under the first round of the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program, up to $1.2 million was made available for 18 projects in Quebec.
Under the second round of the RFCPP more than $1.4 million has been made available for 28 projects in Quebec.
Under the third round of the RFCPP, up to $6.8M was committed to over 80 projects nationally to be undertaken between 2014 and 2016.
Quotes

“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. 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 Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, and Member of Parliament for Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean

“With help from the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program, the ZEC des Passes implemented a series of actions to improve the production of water bodies with declining yield for the brook trout, one of the most in-demand species in the area. The recreotourism offer was enhanced with the installation of information panels at each intervention site. This achievement will enable the ZEC des Passes to further promote respect for the wildlife habitats in the area while informing the public about the numerous advantages of improving ecosystem conservation.”

Frédérick Gagnon, Coordinator, SACERF des Passes

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Contacts:

Sylvi Racine
Senior Communications Advisor
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
418-775-0744

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Source:: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=900479