BC Wildlife Federation
SURREY - A recent report released by B.C. Statistics shows that public recreational fisheries, both tidal and non-tidal, contribute nearly $1 billion per year to the B.C. economy.
“The provincial government has just issued important economic data that confirms something that our organization has been saying for years: ‘It pays to go fishing!’”, said BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF) president Bill Bosch.
The report, entitled “British Columbia Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector, 2012 Edition”, was released on Feb. 1, and clearly supports a longstanding position of the BCWF that public access to our province’s recreational fishing resources is a significant contributor to the economic health of B.C., especially in areas desperately in need of economic diversification and employment opportunities.
The economic impact analysis included in the report shows that recreational fishing creates jobs for 13,900 British Columbians and contributes $936.5 million dollars to B.C.’s economy each year. Local and visiting anglers make significant contributions to the tourism and retail sectors through their purchases of equipment, boats, vehicles, travel, and services.
“This report has established a clear need for both the provincial and federal governments to wake up to the economic importance of investing in building and maintaining sustainable recreational fisheries across British Columbia”, said BCWF president Bosch.
The BCWF is British Columbia’s largest and oldest conservation organization with over 40,000 members committed to protecting, enhancing and promoting the wise use of the environment for the benefit of present and future generations. Visit www.bcwf.bc.ca for more information.