Our Vision

In 1957 Angler/ Author/Conservationist Roderick Haig-Brown said, "The whole management of the saltwater sport fishery is due for early re-examination. Its growth calls for more research, more control, much more positive planning and greater recognition in the use and development of the salmon fishery as a whole." (The Living Land, 1957)

Haig Brown's vision over 40 years ago is needed more than ever today. SFI intends to provide that vision and the energy to fulfill it. Consistent with this message, the SFI has developed a report entitled, "A Salmon Management Plan for the New Millennium." This plan, which has been presented to Government agencies responsible for resource management, outlines an approach to salmon management, emphasizing selective fisheries and more terminal interception harvesting methods, thereby avoiding the commercial by-catch on non-targeted species.

We are already well along in developing the VISION that Haig-Brown urged 35 years ago, and we are actively involving anglers, the sport fishing businesses that service them, and Government in developing that Sport Fishing Vision for the new millennium.

Enhancement: Fish Stocks Now and Forever

The BC saltwater fishery is a huge part of life on our coast. Our commitment to conservation will ensure that it remains so well into the future.

As part of its $400 million Pacific Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring program, the Canadian government dedicated $100 million to protect and restore habitat and to rebuild threatened salmon stocks. This five-year package is called Resource Rebuilding. Its main elements are the following:

-Repairing damaged habitat and rebuilding weak salmon stocks by extending the Habitat Restoration and Salmon Enhancement Program.

-Fostering community-based stewardship of watersheds by establishing new positions - called stewardship coordinators, habitat auxillaries and habitat stewards. This will assist community groups, industry and volunteers to effectively protect habitat.

-Rebuilding threatened salmon stocks, such as coho, using strategic stock enhancement.

-Establishing a long-term fund to support habitat and salmon conservation projects by community and stewardship groups.

The Resource Rebuilding initiative augments the approximately $30 million a year that the federal government spends on day-to-day habitat and salmon enhancement activities.

Local community and fishing groups, First Nations, biological consultants, and individual fishers are all working together. They are focusing their energies towards ensuring healthy returns of salmon today and in the years to come.