DEDICATED TRUST FUND A GAMECHANGER!
Some great news for those in this province who want to protect and enhance our fish and wildlife resources.
The Manitoba Government announced the creation of the new Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Fund model through a trust administered by The Winnipeg Foundation.
In the last fiscal year, the province invested $20 million to create the fund, which will generate approximately $1 million in 2020. Minister of Agriculture and Resource Development, Blaine Pederson says this represents a more than 40 per cent increase in annual funding.
“The creation of this trust fund for the Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Fund (FWEF) is terrific news for Manitoba’s licenced hunters, anglers, and trappers,” said Robert Sopuck’ Chair of the FWEF board. “Manitoba’s hunters, angler, and trappers are backbone of conservation in Manitoba and have constantly advocated for more resources for fish and wildlife conservation.”
Sopuck was extremely happy with the decision to set up the fund through the Winnipeg Foundation.
TRUST FUND FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
“Congratulations are due to the Premier Pallister and Minister Pedersen from the over 200,000 Manitobans who are licenced to hunt, angle, and trap in Manitoba. The Government of Manitoba has prioritized the conservation and enhancement of Manitoba’s precious fish and wildlife resources. This will ensure abundant fish and wildlife populations far into the future.”
FIRST FUND ESTABLISHED IN 1992
I was involved in putting together the first such fund, working as a consultant for Fish Futures. It came to fruition in 1992, when the Fisheries Enhancement Initiative (FEI) was established. From 1993 to 2007, $350,000 was available annually to support fish enhancement initiatives.
In 2008, the angling fee was increase by an additional $3.00 and the Fisheries Enhancement Fund (FEF) was established. Funding levels increased to $850,000 annually to support a broader range of projects and a Project Review Committee consisting of members from angling groups was implemented.
On March 1, 2014, the Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Fund (FWEF) was established under The Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Fund Act.