August 26, 2013

Robert Sopuck, Member of Parliament for Dauphin–Swan River–Marquette, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced today, through the newly established Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program, the Government of Canada is partnering with local recreational angling and fishing groups, as well as conservation organizations, to conserve fish habitat in Manitoba.

“Recreational fishing is a cherished leisure activity in our community and attracts visitors here in Manitoba, creating jobs and contributing in a significant way to our economy,” said MP Sopuck. “Through partnering with our local groups who work on the ground to conserve fish habitat, the Government of Canada helps promote investments in recreational fisheries habitat restoration, for the benefit of our communities in years to come.”

Through the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program, the Government of Canada will provide as much as $35,000 to support the following projects in the first round of applications:

Beaver Lake Walleye Spawning Shoal Creation – Swan Valley Sport Fishing Enhancement Inc.
Crawford Creek Spawning Habitat Improvement (Phase II) – Intermountain Sport Fishing Enhancement Group

The Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program will make as much as $10 million available over the next two years to support recreational fisheries habitat conservation activities. The funding for projects submitted in the first round of applications provides up to $6.5 million for 104 projects to restore, rebuild and rehabilitate recreational fisheries habitat across the country.