1. Anglers aren’t conservationists
Anglers were some of the first conservationists. They recognize the importance of a healthy environment and the survival of all aquatic life, including Southern Resident Killer Whales. Anglers organize and run countless grassroots initiatives which enhance and maintain our natural environment. For example, take a look at this impressive list of programs run by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. Or read about how the BC Wildlife Federation is a champion for biodiversity.
2. Anglers don’t care about the science behind fishing closures or regulations
Some of the people most dedicated to finding ways to protect our environment are anglers. For example, the South Vancouver Island Anglers Coalition heads up a number of successful Chinook salmon enhancement programs, including the Endangered Orca Food Security Program. As well, there are countless anglers who work in fisheries research or commit money to research. Shimano Canada and the Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus provide $30,000 in scholarships to students studying fish and wildlife sciences. Dr. Bruce Tufts, a professor of Fisheries and Conservation at Queens University, conducts important and cutting edge research related to the conservation and sustainable use of freshwater fisheries in Canada.
3. Recreational fishing depletes fish stocks like Chinook and hurts the environment
Environmental NGOs would like the general public to believe this falsehood. Recent actions by DFO in British Columbia, where mass fishing closures were implemented, suggest that the Government of Canada also believes this. However, responsible fishing does less harm to the environment than things like climate change, habitat loss, and pollution. It could also be argued that anglers are more inclined to protect the environment, since they actively use it.
Fake science misleads the media and all of us. Why is the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) ignoring credible scientific data? This is an ongoing issue that we will be reporting on as the threat of fishing closures arise across the country. Coastal B.C. is only the beginning.
Keep Canada Fishing is the national voice of Canada’s anglers, and we lead the effort to preserve your right to fish. We are your voice on Parliament Hill. If you would like to contribute to our efforts to “Keep Canada Fishing,” you can donate now via PayPal.
We also invite you to review the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association’s document, Elevating Recreational Fishing to a National Priority, for more details about this very important topic.
