Derby
Crew Member
Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia
Member Update - November 2011
Details on:
Halibut
Fish Farming
Big Splash and Policy Conference - December 1
SFI Member Benefits: ICBA and Marriott Vancouver Airport Hotel
Certified Tidal Angling Guide - SFI CTAG
Photo Request
As we told you in our last update, we've spent much of the last few months focused on the Kamp Process and the federal government's plan to develop a new halibut allocation model for next season. We've now made our final submissions to Mr. Kamp and we've written to Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield asking to meet with him before he makes a final decision for next year.
We also had the opportunity recently to meet with BC Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell shortly before his trade mission to China. Bell is a strong supporter of the recreational fishery and appreciated the degree to which SFI member-businesses provide significant employment opportunities in many of BC's smaller coastal communities.
Finally, on the subject of halibut, we should point out that several Victoria-area charter operators noted that any proposal to close the recreational halibut fishery beyond the traditional season of February through November would reduce economic activity on Southern Vancouver Island in the shoulder seasons. While recreational anglers' actual catch in February and November is tiny, the economic and employment opportunities created are significant.
There has been much discussion lately about the potential discovery of a new salmon virus in BC connected to salmon farming. If confirmed, it is a troubling development. While the SFI board adopted a formal policy eight years ago, urging the federal and provincial governments to adopt the precautionary principle and ensure that they were not licensing fish farming activities that could impact wild fish stocks, the issue continues to vex public policy makers.
While we commend those individuals and groups that continue to keep this issue in the public eye, we are hopeful that the dedicated work of our Fisheries Committee Chair Dr. Gerry Kristianson, (who also serves as the chair of the Sport Fish Advisory Board and is a long serving Pacific Salmon Commissioner) will pay dividends. For the past several years, Kristianson has served on the board of the Middle Bay Sustainable Aquaculture Institute that is field testing a floating closed-containment fish farm off Northern Vancouver Island. If this project proves successful, it will provide an on-the-shelf technology that could well become the industry standard for fish farming in British Columbia.
Policy Conference and Big Splash
We would also like to remind readers that the SFI's annual Big Splash fundraiser and annual policy conference is only a few weeks away. As usual, we expect that the policy conference will cover a variety of issues of interest to the sport fishing industry, while the Big Splash will serve as a great opportunity to catch up with old friends. For more information about both of these events which occur at the Delta Vancouver Airport Hotel on December 1st, please contact Gila Bois at the SFI offices or click here to register.
SFI Member Benefits
As you may know, a number of SFI members provide member benefits to other SFI members. We will provide news of these benefits in the member updates and look for details on the SFI website in the future.
ICBA Benefit Services - Medical and Dental Insurance for SFI Members
ICBA Benefit Services Ltd. got its start in the construction industry by bringing together independent contractors to get affordable, value-packed suites of group health, retirement and insurance products that provide a foundation for growth. That experience and our suite of affordable, value-packed benefits programs are now available to Sport Fishing Institute of B.C. members to help them grow their businesses.
Contact info:
Angelo Venetsanos
local: 604-298-7752
toll free: 1-888-298-7752
email: info@benefit-plan.ca
Website: www.benefit-plan.ca/sfi/
Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel - discounts for SFI members, CTAG and member guests
The Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel is offering the SFI and its members a discounted room rate for individual travel on an annual basis. Plus, they will extend a special rate to CTAG-certified guides and their guests booking stays at this extraordinary, fisher-friendly Vancouver airport hotel.
2012 Rates SFI Member Rates
SFI Members $ 169.00
CTAG Members $ 159.00
The Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel is sure to please, to learn more about the hotel visit the hotel website.
SFI CTAG - Certified Tidal Angling Guide Program
It was mentioned in our last update but it bears repeating: good news for the TAG program and challengers. A result of the process of including Tidal Angling Guide (TAG) in its Apprenticeship and Red seal programs, the province's Industry Training Authority (ITA), will make TAG challengers and trainees eligible to receive a $1,000.00 provincial tax credit. More information, including potential employer credits, will be made available as 2011 tax time nears. We will post direct links to forms and information as they become available.
In April, 2012 the cost to new applicants could well increase far beyond the current $120.00 "challenge" fee. So, it's worth spreading the word to guides that are considering the Challenge to get their applications in to our certification service provider, go2-the resource for people in tourism. All forms and information required are on the SFI website front page or contact Michele Priddy at go2 via e-mail at mpriddy@go2hr.ca or by telephone at (604) 633-9787 (ext 239).
SFI CTAG Membership
Guides who hold a CTAG SFI membership will receive an annual membership card and decals for use on boats, vehicles or websites as well as other perks including discounted liability insurance for your boat, a medical and dental program and business banking discounts.
Benefits, savings and conveniences will be updated and listed.
Transport Canada - SVCP
Transport Canada's regulations for the Small Vessel Compliance Program (SVCP) or "blue decal program" are now much easier to complete and the decal is good for 5 years. The program applies to boats up to 15 gross tons, which carry up to 12 passengers, and which are not used solely for recreational purposes.
As always, members, guides or lodges who are seeking clarification on programs, certifications or regulations, whether it is Transport Canada, Fisheries or Environment Canada should feel free to contact the SFI office.
Photo Request - SFI Website update coming!
The SFI website will be undergoing a face lift this fall. We would like to request photos of our members to potentially use for the new look of our site. If you have any photos that you would like to share please forward them to our offices. Within the constraints of the website design we will offer a photo credit for you personally or your business.
We are hoping to receive photos of the fishing experience all along the coast of BC; action shots, wildlife, fish, fishing and people.
For more information contact:
Sport Fishing Institute of BC
t: 604.270.3439
w: www.sportfishing.bc.ca.
e: info@sportfishing.bc.ca
The SFI Team,
Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia
Member Update - November 2011
Details on:
Halibut
Fish Farming
Big Splash and Policy Conference - December 1
SFI Member Benefits: ICBA and Marriott Vancouver Airport Hotel
Certified Tidal Angling Guide - SFI CTAG
Photo Request
As we told you in our last update, we've spent much of the last few months focused on the Kamp Process and the federal government's plan to develop a new halibut allocation model for next season. We've now made our final submissions to Mr. Kamp and we've written to Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield asking to meet with him before he makes a final decision for next year.
We also had the opportunity recently to meet with BC Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell shortly before his trade mission to China. Bell is a strong supporter of the recreational fishery and appreciated the degree to which SFI member-businesses provide significant employment opportunities in many of BC's smaller coastal communities.
Finally, on the subject of halibut, we should point out that several Victoria-area charter operators noted that any proposal to close the recreational halibut fishery beyond the traditional season of February through November would reduce economic activity on Southern Vancouver Island in the shoulder seasons. While recreational anglers' actual catch in February and November is tiny, the economic and employment opportunities created are significant.
There has been much discussion lately about the potential discovery of a new salmon virus in BC connected to salmon farming. If confirmed, it is a troubling development. While the SFI board adopted a formal policy eight years ago, urging the federal and provincial governments to adopt the precautionary principle and ensure that they were not licensing fish farming activities that could impact wild fish stocks, the issue continues to vex public policy makers.
While we commend those individuals and groups that continue to keep this issue in the public eye, we are hopeful that the dedicated work of our Fisheries Committee Chair Dr. Gerry Kristianson, (who also serves as the chair of the Sport Fish Advisory Board and is a long serving Pacific Salmon Commissioner) will pay dividends. For the past several years, Kristianson has served on the board of the Middle Bay Sustainable Aquaculture Institute that is field testing a floating closed-containment fish farm off Northern Vancouver Island. If this project proves successful, it will provide an on-the-shelf technology that could well become the industry standard for fish farming in British Columbia.
Policy Conference and Big Splash
We would also like to remind readers that the SFI's annual Big Splash fundraiser and annual policy conference is only a few weeks away. As usual, we expect that the policy conference will cover a variety of issues of interest to the sport fishing industry, while the Big Splash will serve as a great opportunity to catch up with old friends. For more information about both of these events which occur at the Delta Vancouver Airport Hotel on December 1st, please contact Gila Bois at the SFI offices or click here to register.
SFI Member Benefits
As you may know, a number of SFI members provide member benefits to other SFI members. We will provide news of these benefits in the member updates and look for details on the SFI website in the future.
ICBA Benefit Services - Medical and Dental Insurance for SFI Members
ICBA Benefit Services Ltd. got its start in the construction industry by bringing together independent contractors to get affordable, value-packed suites of group health, retirement and insurance products that provide a foundation for growth. That experience and our suite of affordable, value-packed benefits programs are now available to Sport Fishing Institute of B.C. members to help them grow their businesses.
Contact info:
Angelo Venetsanos
local: 604-298-7752
toll free: 1-888-298-7752
email: info@benefit-plan.ca
Website: www.benefit-plan.ca/sfi/
Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel - discounts for SFI members, CTAG and member guests
The Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel is offering the SFI and its members a discounted room rate for individual travel on an annual basis. Plus, they will extend a special rate to CTAG-certified guides and their guests booking stays at this extraordinary, fisher-friendly Vancouver airport hotel.
2012 Rates SFI Member Rates
SFI Members $ 169.00
CTAG Members $ 159.00
The Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel is sure to please, to learn more about the hotel visit the hotel website.
SFI CTAG - Certified Tidal Angling Guide Program
It was mentioned in our last update but it bears repeating: good news for the TAG program and challengers. A result of the process of including Tidal Angling Guide (TAG) in its Apprenticeship and Red seal programs, the province's Industry Training Authority (ITA), will make TAG challengers and trainees eligible to receive a $1,000.00 provincial tax credit. More information, including potential employer credits, will be made available as 2011 tax time nears. We will post direct links to forms and information as they become available.
In April, 2012 the cost to new applicants could well increase far beyond the current $120.00 "challenge" fee. So, it's worth spreading the word to guides that are considering the Challenge to get their applications in to our certification service provider, go2-the resource for people in tourism. All forms and information required are on the SFI website front page or contact Michele Priddy at go2 via e-mail at mpriddy@go2hr.ca or by telephone at (604) 633-9787 (ext 239).
SFI CTAG Membership
Guides who hold a CTAG SFI membership will receive an annual membership card and decals for use on boats, vehicles or websites as well as other perks including discounted liability insurance for your boat, a medical and dental program and business banking discounts.
Benefits, savings and conveniences will be updated and listed.
Transport Canada - SVCP
Transport Canada's regulations for the Small Vessel Compliance Program (SVCP) or "blue decal program" are now much easier to complete and the decal is good for 5 years. The program applies to boats up to 15 gross tons, which carry up to 12 passengers, and which are not used solely for recreational purposes.
As always, members, guides or lodges who are seeking clarification on programs, certifications or regulations, whether it is Transport Canada, Fisheries or Environment Canada should feel free to contact the SFI office.
Photo Request - SFI Website update coming!
The SFI website will be undergoing a face lift this fall. We would like to request photos of our members to potentially use for the new look of our site. If you have any photos that you would like to share please forward them to our offices. Within the constraints of the website design we will offer a photo credit for you personally or your business.
We are hoping to receive photos of the fishing experience all along the coast of BC; action shots, wildlife, fish, fishing and people.
For more information contact:
Sport Fishing Institute of BC
t: 604.270.3439
w: www.sportfishing.bc.ca.
e: info@sportfishing.bc.ca
The SFI Team,
Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia
