In all the years that I’ve been fishing, I have only been asked once to produce my fishing licence – which I did, so all was well. Afterwards, I remember chatting with the conservation officer for a few minutes before he went on his way. As far as fishing licences go, this year will be a bit of a milestone for me. This coming fishing season I will be purchasing my 50th fishing licence. I think I’ve probably caught pretty near as many fish as I’ve bought fishing licences. I do know that in all those years, I have never once begrudged the cost of my Freshwater Fishing Licence. It is but one way that I can help support conservation in the province.
This year, under an agreement between the Province of BC and the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC (effective April 1) 100 per cent of the revenue generated from fishing licences will directly benefit angling in the province. Under the agreement, approximately $10 million will be to be transferred to the FFSBC for the 2015-16 season, an increase of some $3 million.
In 2003, the province signed a 30-year contract with the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC to be a non-profit delivery partner with a mandate to conserve and enhance freshwater fishing opportunities in B.C. The agreement has been subsequently amended (effective April 1) to reflect the additional revenue that will be directed to the society.
The FFSBC’s primary focus has been on stocking a significant number of smaller lakes in the province. This year’s additional funding will allow the FFSBC to work with provincial biologists to improve angling opportunities in even more small lakes, as well as a number of larger lakes and rivers. It will also go toward angler access improvements, stock assessments to help inform management decisions, resources to enhance capacity for compliance monitoring and enforcement on both stocked and wild lakes and rivers.
Over the past 50 years, I have also made a point of reading through the fishing regulations. In B.C. each angler receives copy of the Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis when they purchase their licence at a Service BC centre or local angling licence vendor – such as a local fishing tackle store. It is vitally important to read the synopsis, especially as it pertains to the areas where you plan on fishing. Many lakes and streams have specific regulations at specific times of the year and on specific areas of certain lakes and streams. Failure to read the regulations is no excuse for having broken the law and fines can be substantial.
As in past years, all money raised through the surcharge goes to habitat conservation.
Copies of the 2015-17 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis are now available both online and in print. The 100-page publication contains a list of regional regulations, as well as all the major regulation changes for 2015-17 fishing seasons. To find the 2015-17 Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis online, go to www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/fish. Print copies are available at Service BC centres and local angling licence vendors throughout B.C.
There are at least two good things about having purchased 50 years of fishing licences. One is that it now only costs me $5 for my licence. The other is that I have a genuine sense of satisfaction that I’ve contributed to both sport fishing and the conservation of fish and fish habitat in the province.
Any way you look at it, the price of a fishing licence is money well spent.
