Harper Government Welcomes Applications Under Round 4 of the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program

Over 80 projects totalling up to $6.8M approved under the third round

OTTAWA, Ontario – The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced that up to $6.8M was awarded to over 80 projects undertaken between 2014 and 2016 under the third round of the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program (RFCPP). She also highlighted that a fourth round of applications was announced by the Prime Minister on October 17, 2014. Interested groups have until December 12, 2014 to submit their projects.

The National Conservation Plan (NCP) has been remarkably successful in ensuring a more coordinated approach to conservation efforts across the country. As part of the NCP, the RFCPP continues to be an effective program for restoring Canada’s waterways to ensure sustainability and ongoing productivity of our recreational fisheries.
Given the success of the RFCPP, the Government of Canada increased the investment in the Economic Action Plan 2014 to a total of $25 million. Since its launch, over $11 million has already been invested in more than 200 projects across Canada.

Quick Facts

• The Prime Minister recently announced a fourth window for funding applications that will run from October 17, 2014 to December 12, 2014.

• Additional program information as well as the application form and guidelines are available on the Department’s web site: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pnw-ppe/rfcpp-ppcpr/application-soumission-eng.html

• Under the first round, the program awarded $5.9 million to 94 projects undertaken between 2013 and 2015.

• Under the second round, the program awarded up to $5.5 million to 128 projects undertaken between 2014 and 2015.

• Under the third round, up to $6.8M was awarded to over 80 projects undertaken between 2014 and 2016.

• More than 3.3 million adult anglers participate in recreational fishing activities every year.

• Recreational fishing contributes significantly to the Canadian economy, especially in rural areas. In 2010, for example, angling generated $8.3 billion for local economies.

Quotes

“The Recreational Fisheries Conservations Partnerships Program allows our Government to support an important economic sector while also ensuring sustainable fisheries. I would like to congratulate the proponents who applied under the first rounds of this program. Our Government is proud to support their work that will benefit Canadian communities for years to come. I encourage all interested groups to submit an application under the new round.”  The Honourable Gail Shea – Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

 Associated Links

• National Conservation Plan
• Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program Web site
• RFCPP Success Stories
• Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to double annual funding for the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships program by providing an additional $15 million over two years

– 30 –
FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Frank Stanek
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-990-7537
Sophie Doucet
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474

Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca