A new, permanent public engagement website will give British Columbians an opportunity to review and comment on proposed angling, hunting and trapping regulations, announced the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations today (Nov. 7).

Regulations for angling, hunting and trapping are reviewed and developed every two years, with alternating years for fish and for wildlife. The website ensures the public can review and submit comments on proposed regulations, over and above government’s regular face-to-face stakeholder consultations.

The website https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/ahte/ is part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to enhance public engagement and create a more efficient and productive regulations-development process. New angling, hunting and trapping advisory teams have also been created to guide regulations development in collaboration with stakeholders.

“This website provides consistency and transparency to our consultations on angling, hunting and trapping regulations. Now everyone can view and comment on proposed regulations online, modernizing the way British Columbians can provide feedback,” stated Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations .

Proposed regulations will be posted to the website for review and comment for approximately two to four weeks, depending on complexity. Each posted regulation shows the species, region, review period closing date, as well as a clear summary of the existing regulation, proposed regulation and the rationale for the change. Registered users can choose to receive email updates informing them of new proposal postings, a ministry press release explained.

The new attempt at consulting with the public is being viewed favourably by some outdoors/wildlife organizations.

Mark Werner, president, Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia said, “The GOABC is excited about the ministry’s new online consultation website that allows users of fish and wildlife to provide comments. We believe this is one of many automated processes that will revolutionize communications on fish and wildlife in our province, and we congratulate the ministry on this step.”

Rodney Wiebe, president of the BC Wildlife Federation added, “We will work with the minister and government to improve the consultation process.”

And Don Wilkins, president, B.C. Trappers Association, said, “The B.C. Trappers Association fully endorses the creation of angling, hunting and trapping engagement website. This is a great opportunity for all members of the outdoor community to have some direct input into regulation development. This website will enhance the Provincial Angling, Hunting and Trapping Advisory Team of which the B.C. Trappers Association is a member.”

Hunting, fishing and trapping remain viable aspects of B.C.’s overall economic picture.

According to Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations’ statistics, freshwater anglers spend $480 million every year on equipment, travel and accommodation and hospitality services, supporting 7,500 direct jobs. Sustainable hunting by resident hunters and guide outfitters contributes approximately $350 million to the province annually. And the guiding industry provides 2,000 jobs for rural communities and families, generating approximately $116 million in revenue each year.

To view the Angling and Hunting Engagement Website, visit:  https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/ahte/

For more information on fish and wildlife management in B.C., visit:  https://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/ .

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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