DFO and their provincial counter parts stand on their track record [}
]...no wonder we are all very skeptical, and for very good reason. Notwithstanding, we did manage to get almost all the $ collected for freshwater licenses put directly into the Freshwater Fisheries Society which was set up to run the provincial hatchery program.
This is a model that could easily work with DFO, as long as the Feds were willing to step back and let a private business or society take over and run the facilities.
I agree with Kelly, I would gladly pay more than the $10 - $20 proposed, IF the cash went directly into a fund that the recreational fishermen had input into how they were managed. That would require a governance model to be set up so there was an actual business entity set up, with a proper Board of Directors to provide Management oversight. If we could get this kind of model (a far better one than the Province set up with the Fresh Water Fisheries Society), then I would gladly donate more cash beyond a regular license fee. I know I'm not alone in this...there are so many hard core fishermen, lodge operators, and charter operators who would line up to cash up.
We were able to accomplish that with the B.C. Government, so there is no reason why no with the current Conservative Gov't. There is a good business model when you link the change in how our hatchery program with the economic spin offs and benefits accruing.
I think we need to get the main board of the SFAB fired up and hot under the collar on this issue so we can apply pressure within the current process for change.
Searun
