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OTTAWA – The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and
Oceans, today announced the results of the 2005 Survey of Recreational Fishing
in Canada. The 2005 survey was the seventh in a series, produced every five
years since 1975, and is the most comprehensive assessment of recreational
fishing conducted in Canada.
"This survey highlights that millions of Canadians and tourists continue to enjoy recreational fishing in Canada's oceans, rivers and lakes every year, and Canada's New Government is committed to ensuring that our future generations can also enjoy activities like recreational fishing," said Minister Hearn. "That is why we are taking action to conserve, protect and improve Canada's vast water resources, through initiatives such as our new National Water Strategy announced in Budget 2007."
The survey found that in 2005, over 3.2 million adult anglers participated in a variety of recreational fishing activities in Canada. Participation rates, however, have been on a downward trend in most provinces and territories over the past 10 years. This trend is partially attributed to changing lifestyles and other activities that compete for limited leisure time.
The population of active adult anglers continued to age. More than half of the Canadian anglers were in the 45-64 age group, whereas only 26% of the general Canadian population falls within the same age range.
The average number of days fished per angler remained relatively unchanged over the past ten years at 13 days. Canadian non-resident and foreign anglers made over two million trips within Canada in 2005.
In total, anglers caught 215 million fish of all species in 2005 and retained nearly 72 million fish. The success of catch and release programs is a testament to the importance of conservation to anglers in Canada. Resident anglers caught 157 million fish, followed by foreign anglers who caught 54 million fish, with the remainder being caught by non-residents.
Walleye was the predominant species caught in 2005, surpassing trout for the first time since the survey was first conducted in 1975. Other top species were trout, perch, bass and northern pike.
In 2005, anglers contributed a total of $7.5 billion to various local economies in Canadian provinces and territories, up 12% from the $6.7 billion estimate in 2000. The most recent survey showed that total investments that were directly attributable to recreational fishing reached $2.5 billion in 2005.
The survey presents information about recreational fishing activities and describes the socio-economic contribution of these fisheries in Canada. It was conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, in cooperation with the fisheries and licensing agencies of all provinces and territorial governments.
To access the survey report on-line, please visit DFO's Statistical Services web site:
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.cs/communic/statistics/recreational/canada/2005/index_e.htm.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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Phil Jenkins
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
613-993-5413 |
Steve Outhouse
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
613-992-3474 |
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NR-HQ-07-45E |
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