Goals and Initiatives

Goals

To foster a strategy, through partnerships with governments, the private sector, groups and other interested stakeholders, that will educate and assist Ontarians to understand and meet the recreational fisheries and aquatic environment conservation challenges across Ontario.

To support community initiatives in improving fish habitat through conservation, management and fisheries enhancement.

To preserve our Ontario fishing heritage and to promote the cultural values of angling.

To support recreational fisheries research, thus improving the scientific basis for management of fish and aquatic environments.

To promote public education and the appreciation of freshwater fish and fishing in Ontario, particularly in the conservation and awareness of the economic benefits derived from healthy fisheries and clean water.

Conservation Partnerships

This program of Fishing Forever reflects the primary focus on conservation and angling. New partnerships are needed to develop and implement recreational fisheries conservation in Ontario. Fishing Forever concentrates on provincial aspects of fisheries management, acting as a support group for existing regional and local conservation efforts.

Fishing Forever's purpose is to co-ordinate the largely untapped strength of provincial and community organizations with their common interest in fisheries conservation and aquatic environments. Fishing Forever will continue to develop partnerships with a wide range of interests, to undertake useful ventures and to facilitate communications from community through provincial levels.

With the cooperation of stakeholders, Fishing Forever will act as a catalyst for the development of progressive new ventures that will result in a provincial vision for Ontario's recreational fisheries.

Ontario Fishing Heritage

Fishing Forever will be the focal point for the angling culture in Ontario. The history, traditions and art forms, from pioneer and aboriginal through the modern era, will be recorded and preserved as part of the Ontario cultural heritage.

Appreciation of the values derived from angling, such as cross-generational contact, family togetherness, companionship, nature appreciation and the excitement of angling, will be encouraged through all our activities.

Leading Edge Knowledge Programs

Fisheries expertise within Fishing Forever is required to contribute to fisheries policy and management provincially, to support citizens' conservation efforts, and to maintain a high-level of professional credibility for Fishing Forever.

Public Awareness Initiatives

A broader public understanding of the significance of Ontario's recreational fisheries and the aquatic environment they inhabit is essential to the preservation of this valuable heritage and maintenance of the many benefits it provides the people of this country.

Awareness of traditions and values of fishing, and the economic impact generated by recreational fishing locally and provincially, and the number of jobs sportfishing provides have a major effect on broadening support for conservation and angling.

Information is targeted to specific audiences through a variety of media and covers:

• Conservation issues
• Cultural/heritage aspects of fishing traditions
• Socio-economic values
• Fishing news and angling tips
• How to become involved
• Objectives and accomplishments of Fishing Forever