This past summer popular fishing areas throughout the province saw enhanced protection with more conservation officers on patrol – thanks to a generous funding boost of $100,000 from the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC.
With the society’s substantial contribution, conservation officers have worked almost an additional 2,050 hours patrolling B.C.’s freshwaters. A total of 4,171 anglers’ licenses were checked, finding 634 to be out of compliance. This resulted in 410 written warnings and 221 provincial and federal tickets issued.
Since April 1, 2015, 100 per cent of freshwater fishing license revenue has been invested in recreational fisheries under a new agreement between the Province and the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC. Through this partnership, anglers are seeing a greater presence of conservation officers on priority waters.
Non-compliance with the Wildlife Act and Fisheries Act has a direct impact on fish species the environment, revenues to the society and the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, and overall angler experience.
B.C.’s lakes and rivers will continue to see increasing patrols in the coming months. Additionally, conservation officers continually promote compliance through outreach and educational events in freshwater fishing communities.
Reports of any suspicious angling activities can be submitted to the B.C. Conservation Officer Services’ Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline at 1-877-952-7277.
