The Kelowna District Fish & Game Club would like to send out a big thank you to Winn Rentals- Kelowna, for their support in our May Clean Up Work Party. Winn Rentals provided us a vital piece of equipment for the day, without which our cleanup would not have been so successful. Many kudos go out to companies like Winn Rentals – Kelowna, that help each other and local businesses to make the Okanagan Valley such a great community oriented place to live!
Kelowna Fishing Derby
Hello All,
Here is some info on the Kelowna Fishing Derby, sponsored by the BC Sport Fishing Guide & Rodney’s Reel Outdoors.
June 15, 2013, Okanagan Lake
Over $20,000 in prizes, including a $5,000 grand prize!
Every participant is eligible to win one of the incredible door prizes
- a once in a lifetime fishing trip (valued at $10,000)
- or a Salter Watercraft inflatable boat (valued at $1,500)
And the best part? Proceeds will go right back to our local Okanagan BCWF youth program.
Register NOW, before tickets run out. To register, click the link below.
A questionnaire on hunting and fishing issues was sent to the four MLA candidates running in the May 14 election for the Kelowna – Mission riding:
Tish Lakes – NDP
Mike McLoughlin – BC Conservative
Steve Thomson – Liberal
Dayleen Van Ryswyk – Independent
Steve Thompson was the only candidate to respond and these are his answers.
Funding for Fish and Wildlife Management
Hunting and angling in British Columbia contributes more than 1 billion dollars through direct, indirect and induced impacts. These two activities account for more than 20,000 jobs. Licence and fee revenue is currently not dedicated to go back to the management of the resource.
Do you support a dedicated funding model for fish and wildlife management where all licence fees and revenues are returned to the resource?
Response:
I support a licensing system where license fees and revenues are returned to the resource. I believe fish and wildlife management is enhanced when hunters and anglers are engaged, consulted and feel both a sense of ownership and pride.
As Minister and MLA I met regularly with the BCWF on this issue. I believe angling and hunting are two important sources of revenue and job creation for the Province of British Columbia. I am confident that the resident hunter economic expenditure survey, will show the true value of resident hunting in British Columbia. Funding for conservation is essential to preserving British Columbia’s natural capital and its long heritage of conservation.
As well, there are other benefits which are not measured such as the contributions the fish and game clubs have made to fish and wildlife conservation. Hunters and anglers are tremendous contributors to Fish and Wildlife conservation and I have led the process of regulatory and legislative changes, including the new initiation hunting license and changes to the youth license to support and enhance recruitment and retention for resident hunters and anglers. Our BC Liberal Platform has committed to direct all revenues from fishing licenses to be provided to the Freshwater Fisheries society for conservation activities by 2015/16.
Science-based Fish and Wildlife Conservation Management
A science-based approach to fish and wildlife conservation management has been usurped by political interference in the past. One example of this is the moratorium placed on grizzly bear hunting in 2001. Another example is a lack of predator management to ensure the long-term viability of healthy wildlife populations and species at risk such as mountain caribou.
Do you support a science-based approach to fish and wildlife conservation management including the management of predators where it is supported by science?
Response:
I support a science-based approach to fish and wildlife management. I know that conservation and sustainability must be the two pillars of fish and wildlife management in BC. The Liberal government has supported science and reinstated grizzly bear hunting as a wildlife management tool after it was eliminated by the NDP. We have also supported other seasons and have recently increased inventory work from approximately $120,000 to almost $2,000,000. Inventory is critical to make informed decisions.
Where researchers and best practices indicate predator management is required to ensure the viability of listed species such as the mountain caribou, I will support BC’s researchers and managers.
Resident Priority to Fish and Wildlife
Over the past 3 decades, access to and allocation of fish and wildlife opportunities for British Columbians have been reduced in favour of commercial interests.
Do you support British Columbians’ priority to access and harvest of fish and wildlife in British Columbia?
Response:
As the MLA for Kelowna-Mission and Minister, I have supported the policy of resident priority in British Columbia. I have met with the BC Wildlife Federation on several occasions and will continue to support you to the best of my ability. I do however, recognize the contribution that guide outfitters make to our economy. They bring in valuable tourism dollars to our economy by attracting foreign visitors to hunt in B.C. We need to continue to ensure all aspects of the Wildlife Allocation Policy are consistent with supporting viability of all sectors while ensuring conservation is foremost.
Best Practices – Habitat and Watershed Sustainability, Mitigation and Compensation
Extraction and use of oil, gas, hydro-electric, mining, water rights and fish farming often does not look at carrying capacity, cumulative impacts or a landscape-level based approach to development, nor is there a compensation plan for these impacts. Other issues include the Federal Government’s changes to the Fisheries Act and Water Act, which has left less protection for fish, wildlife and its habitat.
Do you support a landscape-level approach to resource extraction and use?
Response:
I believe we need to approach resource extraction at a high level. The amalgamation of the significant components of resource ministries was intended to start this practice. Business values and conservation values need to be looked at from a high level, ensuring a long-term plan which is in British Columbians’best interests. I have led this approach through National Resource Operations to achieve these objectives and if elected will continue to support this approach.
Habitat protection is a fundamental part of fish and wildlife conservation. I believe there is an opportunity to collaborate with stakeholders, and communities to identify gaps in protection.
5. Do you support a compensation program, which allocates revenues from extraction to be re-invested in fish and wildlife habitat and management?
Response:
I support the programs that are currently built into to our environmental assessment process and reclamation requirements. When projects are submitted to the environmental assessment office they determine if there will be any potential significant adverse effects. If it is determined that there will be, the EAO will come up with strategies to prevent or reduce any adverse effects. These mitigation plans are required to be monitored and maintained throughout the life of the project as part of the environmental assessment certificate.
Steve Thomson
The Oceola Fish and Game Club sent out the same questionnaire for the Lake Country riding candidates and the responses they received are below
OCEOLA Fish and Game Club Candidates’ Questions
Response Liberal Candidate Norm Letnick
1. Do you support a dedicated funding model for fish and wildlife management where all license fees and revenues are returned to the resource?
Yes, I support a licensing system where all license fees and revenues are returned to the resource. I believe fish and wildlife management would be better off running as a self-funded entity where hunters and anglers are more engaged, consulted more often and feel both a sense of ownership and pride. As your MLA I became a member of the Liberal Outdoor Caucus to better understand issues affecting conservation in British Columbia. I met with the BC Wildlife Federation in my capacity as your MLA and the Minister of Agriculture several times over the past 4 years.
As a member of the Outdoor Caucus I was able to attend a BC Wildlife Federation presentation on the budgets for fish and wildlife management as well as the license fees, revenues and dollars which have been used for general revenue. I believe angling and hunting are two important sources of revenue and job creation for the Province of British Columbia. I am hopeful that the resident hunter economic expenditure survey, which I supported as your MLA, will show the true value of resident hunting in British Columbia. Funding for conservation is essential to preserving British Columbia’s natural capital and its long heritage of conservation.
As well, there are other spinoffs which are not measured such as the contribution the Oceola Fish and Game club has made to fish and wildlife conservation particularly Woods Lake Kokanee. Hunters and anglers are tremendous contributors to Fish and Wildlife conservation and I have supported the regulatory and legislative changes, including the new initiation hunting license and changes to the youth license which was announced at the Oceola fundraiser in February. I have continuously supported Oceola Members on issues that matter to them and more importantly conservation.
2. Do you support a science-based approach to fish and wildlife conservation management including the management of predators where it is supported by science?
Yes, I support a science-based approach to fish and wildlife management. I believe conservation and sustainability must be the two pillars of fish and wildlife management in BC. The Liberal government has supported science and reinstated grizzly bear hunting as a wildlife management tool after it was eliminated by the NDP. We have also supported other seasons and have recently increased inventory work from approximately $120,000 to almost $2,000,000. Inventory is critical to make informed decisions.
Where researchers and best practices indicated predator management is required to ensure the viability of listed species such as the mountain caribou, I will support BC’s researchers and managers.
3. Do you support British Columbians’ priority to access and harvest of fish and wildlife in British Columbia?
As the MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country I have been the biggest supporter of resident priority in British Columbia. Bill Bennett, MLA Kootenay East both wholeheartedly support the Wildlife Allocation Policy and have supported resident priority at every turn. I have met with the BC Wildlife Federation, the Oceola members and executive on several occasions and will continue to support you to the best of my ability. Bill Bennett and I are the biggest supports of resident priority in the province. I do however; recognize the contribution that guide outfitters make to our economy. They bring in valuable tourism dollars to our economy by attracting foreign visitors to hunt in B.C.
4. Do you support a landscape-level approach to resource extraction and use?
Yes, I believe we need to approach resource extraction at a high level. The amalgamation of the ‘dirt ministries’ was intended to start this practice. Business values and conservation values need to be looked at from a high level, ensuring a long-term plan which is in British Columbians’ best interests.
Habitat protection is a fundamental part of fish and wildlife conservation. I believe there is an opportunity to collaborate with stakeholders, and communities to identify gaps in protection for water and fish.
As the Minister of Ariculture I covered the fish farming file and supported all eight
of the Cohen report recommendations that referenced the BC Government. This file has been extremely polarizing and I believe we must be cautious, support and fund science to ensure we are making informed decisions which put wild salmon stocks first. We will continue to work with aquaculture operators and our federal counterparts to monitor for all possible diseases and are prepared to implement a prompt, coordinated, and science-based response when required.
5. Do you support a compensation program which allocates revenues from extraction to be re-invested in fish and wildlife habitat and management?
Yes, I support the programs that are currently built into to our environmental assessment process and reclamation requirements. When projects are submitted to the environmental assessment office they determine if there will be any potential significant adverse effects. If it is determined that there will be they will be and the EAO will come up with strategies to prevent or reduce any adverse effects. These mitigation plans are required to be monitored and maintained throughout the life of the project as part of the environmental assessment certificate.
B.C. has world class reclamation laws. In the case of mine sites our laws are in place to ensure, once operations cease, mine site lands are returned to a useful and productive state. Before any work on a new mine site can commence, the company or individual doing the work must post a security which is held in trust by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas. This security is only returned once the mine site has been reclaimed to a satisfactory level and there are no ongoing monitoring or maintenance requirements. If a mine site has not been reclaimed properly, the Ministry will approach the company to do the required work. If they refuse then the security money will be used to complete the remediation work.
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OCEOLA Fish and Game Club Candidates’ Questions
Response BC Conservative Candidate Graeme James
1. Do you support a dedicated funding model for fish and wildlife management where all license fees and revenues are returned to the resource?
Yes, I support a dedicated funding model for fish and wildlife where all license fees and revenues are returned to the resource.
2. Do you support a science-based approach to fish and wildlife conservation management including the management of predators where it is supported by science?
Yes, I support science-based approach to fish and wildlife conservation management including the management of predators where it is supported by science.
3. Do you support British Columbians’ priority to access and harvest of fish and wildlife in British Columbia?
Yes, I support priority access for residents to harvest fish and wildlife in British Columbia, however we should be open minded about encouraging sporting tourism and creating jobs for outfitters and sporting related hospitality businesses.
4. Do you support a landscape-level approach to resource extraction and use?
Yes, I support landscape level approach to natural resource usage in theory, but much care must be taken because unless the process is fully thought out and the parameters and objectives are defined government bureaucrats can wield unacceptable levels of authority over a resource especially in cases where prevailing assertions are challenged and or the science is not settled.
5. Do you support a compensation program which allocates revenues from extraction to be re-invested in fish and wildlife habitat and management?
Yes I support a compensation program that will allocate revenues from extraction to be re-invested in fish and wildlife habitat management.
In addition I will work to establish a “Trusted Hunter” program that will seek to establish a cooperative relationship and framework agreement with private landowners, by way of a database of private property owners who have given their permission in advance for “Trusted Hunters” to hunt on their private property. This program would have an educational component, (managed by the BC Wildlife Federation) that will ensure only those sportsmen representing the highest standards of competency, knowledge and respect for the private property; and the wildlife resources would be allowed on the private property. This is beneficial for the landowners, in dealing with predators, and wildlife management issues on their private land, as well as having an additional set of ears and eyes on their property at times. For BC sportsman it would open up large tracts of prime hunting land improving access and opportunities to hunt.
In addition I will push for additional resources to increase youth programming for delivery by organizations like yours related to hunting, fishing, archery, and shooting sports.I strongly support the goals and objectives of your organization.Thank you for your interest.Graeme James.
