Inland Fish and Wildlife Division conducting angling surveys throughout province

Julie Bettney, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today advised the public that her department, with the help of conservation officers from the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, will be conducting angling surveys in various regions of the province to learn more about trout populations. These surveys will be conducted on lakes and ponds on the Avalon Peninsula (Paddy�s Pond, Trepassey, Cape Broyle, and Heart�s Content areas), East Coast (Middle Brook Watershed), Central (Lewisporte and Bishop�s Falls areas), and the West Coast (Pynn�s Brook area). An area of Southern Labrador will also be surveyed (Red Bay and Port Hope Simpson). Surveys will be conducted throughout the duration of the winter and summer angling seasons.

"There is considerable public interest in trout angling and the status of trout populations in our province. As a conservation measure, biologists regularly conduct these surveys to evaluate and monitor the levels of angling activity and trout harvest," said the minister.

These angling surveys will complement other initiatives underway regarding the management of recreational fisheries throughout the province. The surveys provide opportunities for resource users to have direct input into the management and conservation of our inland fish species. The minister encourages anglers to participate in the program.

For more information, please contact Rob Perry, Inland Fish and Wildlife Division, (709) 637-2023.

Media contact: Melony O�Neill, Communications, (709) 729-0928.

2003 03 04                                       2:45 p.m.