From: Department of Fisheries Regulations

This is taken from the DFO website outlining its responsibilities to us, the recreational fisher & harvester.

Clearly, in this region DFO is not living up to to its commitment to provide clear information, access to input and consultation concerning our RIGHTS towards many fisheries.

Please use our Bulletin Board to comment on this information:

4. GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR RECREATIONAL FISHERIES

Five principles will guide Fisheries and Oceans in its task to develop and implement recreational fisheries policies, programs and initiatives.

1. Recreational fishing is a socially and economically valuable and legitimate use of fishery resources. Over five million anglers enjoy recreational fishing in Canada-in many ways, in all seasons and in all areas of the country. Sport fishing gives Canadians access to their land and its rich natural environment. It is also important for the $4.9 billion economic activity it generates each year in our communities, whether through tourism, recreational industries or other activities. In this context, Fisheries and Oceans must ensure fishing opportunities are provided to all fishermen-commercial, Aboriginal and sport. The Department's resource management policies must consider access for recreational purposes.

2. Fisheries and Oceans is responsible for providing sustainable recreational harvesting opportunities as part of integrated management plans consistent with its policies. Conservation is the first priority. Fisheries and Oceans must actively deliver on its conservation mandate and must collaborate with its provincial and territorial counterparts to promote fisheries conservation in freshwater fisheries. The effective implementation of conservation requires adopting a precautionary approach and ecosystem-based management. It also involves promoting a shared conservation ethic in conjunction with all stakeholders to provide for sustainable harvesting opportunities and where required, protect, restore and enhance fisheries resources and fish habitat. Securing vibrant and robust fisheries resources is the cornerstone for sustaining recreational fisheries and increasing the growth of this sport and its associated economic activity. At the same time, the Department's policy framework for recreational fishing in Canada will be consistent with its constitutional and fiduciary responsibilities to Aboriginal peoples, in both future agreements reached between Aboriginal groups and the federal government, and existing treaty obligations or Aboriginal rights. Access to recreational fisheries will be managed through Integrated Fisheries Management Plans based on species-specific and area-specific polices established by the Department; for example, New Directions for Pacific Salmon and the Atlantic Fishery Policy Review. Further consideration will be given to increased or priority access for recreational use under the concept of "best use" of the resource, after obligations to First Nations are met.

3. Recreational harvesters have responsibility for shared stewardship for resource conservation and enhancement. Governments and resource users must share responsibility for conservation and for ensuring that fisheries resources are managed so that they benefit all Canadians. The rights of future generations to similar or improved benefit are also a responsibility of both government and resource users. To achieve these aims, recreational harvesters and the sport fishing industry, which benefit directly from a healthy resource, will be encouraged to partner with government and to participate in the decision-making process to manage and protect the resource and its habitat. Contributions to the cost associated with ensuring such benefits are also necessary. These may take the form of access fees. The opportunity also exists for the public to share responsibility for the conservation, restoration and enhancement of the resource and its habitat through community-based volunteer organizations involved in various stewardship initiatives. These are organized at the national, provincial and local community levels.

4. Mechanisms for federal/provincial cooperation in areas of shared jurisdiction will be established and strengthened. To successfully manage Canada's fisheries requires effective collaboration among governments and with First Nations. Federal, provincial and territorial governments each have responsibilities for different aspects of the conservation and management of fisheries resources. In recognition of this, Fisheries and Oceans makes the commitment to collaborate and to integrate respective efforts. One example of how this can be done is through the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers working group on recreational fisheries and through federal and provincial memoranda of understanding.

5. Fisheries and Oceans has a leadership role to coordinate policies/programs with the federal government which relate to recreational fishing. In its task to coordinate recreational fishing policies and/or programs, Fisheries and Oceans will ensure that federal departments and agencies whose policies have an impact on the recreational fishing sector are aware of the sector's needs. The Department will also ensure that federal programs are accessible to the recreational fishing sector.