The Honourable Chester Gillan on behalf of Honourable Kevin J. MacAdam, Minister of Fisheries and Environment announced today in the Legislature the creation of a new wildlife conservation fund.
The Prince Edward Island Wildlife Conservation Fund will provide funding for community-based groups actively engaged in conservation initiatives involving wildlife and habitat. Licensed anglers, hunters and trappers will be supporting the Fund through a one-time annual contribution through the purchase of a Wildlife Conservation Fund License.
"With the creation of this fund, both the value of wildlife as a resource and the conservation efforts of wildlife groups are recognized and guaranteed a more stable funding base," said Mr. Gillan. A great deal of economic activity in Prince Edward Island, both recreational and commercial, is based on the variety and distribution of wildlife species and habitats across the island.
Last year representatives of nine of the province's leading wildlife conservation groups met with Mr. MacAdam to discuss their thoughts on a way to raise new funds to support wildlife conservation. Mr. Gillan, in making the announcement, praised the groups for their commitment. "These organizations are dedicated to their work on behalf of wildlife and this cooperative endeavour strengthens the conservation efforts in Prince Edward Island." Kate MacQuarrie, Executive Director of the Island Nature Trust and spokesperson for the wildlife groups added, "With this fund in place, wildlife conservation has been recognized as a priority and long term initiatives become easier to develop and carry out."
The nine wildlife conservation groups participating in the development of the fund include the Island Nature Trust, Natural History Society of PEI, PEI Wildlife Federation, PEI Salmon Association, PEI Fly Fishers Federation, Atlantic Salmon Federation, Morell River Watershed Management Coop, Biology Department of the University of PEI, and the PEI Trappers Association.
The Wildlife Conservation Fund will raise revenue by applying a conservation fee on the sale of angling, hunting and trapping licenses issued by the province. It is estimated this fee will generate approximately $150,000 in net revenue in the first year. Each licensed angler, hunter and trapper is required to purchase a Wildlife Conservation Fund License for $13 (G.S.T. included) for the year April 1, 1998 - March 31, 1999. If a Wildlife Conservation Fund License is purchased at the same time as an angling license, it is also valid for both the hunting and trapping season and should not be discarded.
The revenue generated will be used to support the $60,000 annual commitment announced last year for the Cardigan Hatchery's trout and salmon enhancement program. The balance of the fund will be available for priority, community-based wildlife conservation projects. An advisory committee of individuals representing a broad base of wildlife interests will advise the Minister regarding annual priorities and new initiatives, as well as making recommendations on project applications.
"This fund provides a new means by which those that participate in angling, hunting and trapping will be contributing to the maintenance and enhancement of the wildlife they derive benefit from. The habitat fund concept has been successfully adopted as a dedicated source of funds for conservation initiatives in other jurisdictions. I am convinced that the Prince Edward Island experience will be similar," noted Mr. Gillan.