Incorporated as a non-profit society in May 2002, the Family Fishing Society of B.C. is mandated to develop new anglers as well as promote and coordinate B.C.’s Family Fishing Weekend and other angling initiatives.
Overseen by a Board of Directors from the angling community and assisted by ex officio members from provincial and federal government agencies, the society works closely with B.C's angling sector to establish new anglers while observing it's constitution. The society was originally developed to deliver B.C.'s Family Fishing Weekend, it's core program, following the change in government in 2000 (see background).
Our primary objective is to encourage all British Columbians to take up recreational angling as pastime and to enjoy B.C.'s world-class sport fishing opportunities. The society's programs are targeted toward families and young people.
Both the federal and provincial governments, B.C.’s sports fishing related non-government agencies, the fishing tackle sector, sport fishing resorts, and marine trades as well as fishing lodges work closely with the Family Fishing Society of B.C. to achieve our annual program; plus is an excellent example of a successful private public partnership.
The Family Fishing Weekend is an especially popular annual program calculated to develop new anglers. Our goal is to encourage British Columbians, especially young people, to go fishing, learn a great new pastime and have fun with family and friends. The program runs annually during the Father's Day Weekend each June.
Three seperate opportunities are available to the public through our program: (1) The license free weekend where families and friends can try fishing within the rules anywhere in B.C. (2) The many free to attend special community fishing events; and, (3) Our educational website and literature.
Try Fishing For Free An estimated 25,000 people make use of the province’s 3-day free freshwater licence opportunity while trying their hand at angling. We encourage people to go fishing with family and friends. Once you have tried angling in B.C.'s supernatural outdoors, we think you'll get hooked, have lots of fun and take up a wholesome new pastime.
Special Commuity Fishing Events Each year the Family Fishing Society of BC coordinates special freshwater and saltwater community fishing events that attract over ten thousand B.C. residents. These free to attend events are open to the public and offer complimentary fishing tackle plus the guidance of expert volunteers. Anyone can learn the "how tos" of fishing in a safe and fun environment. The events also offer additional educational materials and displays that feature ethics of angling, fish and their habitat, safety around water.
Website and Literature Annually our literature campaign reaches the public through licence vendors, government agents, tackle outlets, tourism outlets and our promotional message is delivered to every household in the province. Our popular website provides an excellent platform to support our message, serving as the main delivery portal of information about our program..
Recreational fishing is a key part of British Columbia’s way of life. Sports anglers contribute nearly $1.2 billion annually to B.C.'s local and regional economies while supporting thousands of jobs throughout the province. To maintain this robust industry, there must be a strategy in place that continues to develop the vibrant and growing sports angling community.
Following a significant decline in both tidal and freshwater sport fishing licence sales, a province-wide program commenced to build angler demographics in 1999 with angling stakeholder agreement. Initiated by the BC Ministry of Fisheries, the Family Fishing Weekend was developed to promote the sport of fishing to B.C.’s residents in a fun family setting. The B.C. Government approved an Order in Council to entrench the Family Fishing Weekend as an annual celebration of the sport of fishing. The third weekend each June, the provincial government waive the need for anglers to buy or carry freshwater fishing licence and any Canadian can try angling in B.C. within the rules without having to purchase a licence.
Organized by B.C. Fisheries, the first year's operations saw as many as 25,000 people try angling during BC's Family Fishing Weekend, which included two community events where the public attended at no charge and learn the basics of angling from expert volunteers in a fun environment.
Our 2008 Board of Directors consists of nine members and has two ex officio members.
The Board:
Bill Otway President
Cam Aronetz B.C. Federation of Drift Fishers
Denise Maxwell B.C. Federation of Fly Fishers
Phil Hallinan B.C. Wildlife Federation
Brian Chan Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C.
Wayne Yamauchi B.C. Marine Trade Association
Michelle Dusterhoft Sport Fishing Institute of B.C.
Brent McCallum Redl Sports Distributors (Tackle Industry)
Alison Obrecht Gibbs Nortac Industries Inc (Tackle Industry)
Ex Officio: Deb Sneddon Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Wayne Saito Ministry of Environment, Land and Air Protection
Funding for our program comes from a variety of sources, two of our major funding partners are listed below:
The Habitat Conservation Trust Fund supports the enhancement of fish and wildlife and their habitats. Since 1981, more than $60 million has been provided by surcharges on angling, hunting, trapping and guide-outfitter licenses and used to support over 1700 projects around B.C.
The Pacific Salmon Foundation raises donations of money, services and resources and financially supports programs that help to achieve healthy and sustainable Pacific Salmon stocks including restoration, enhancement, assessment, education and community involvement activities.
