E-LICENSING FOR FRESHWATER ANGLERS LAUNCHED

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
2007ENV0126-001486
Nov. 19, 2007
Ministry of Environment

E-LICENSING FOR FRESHWATER ANGLERS LAUNCHED

VICTORIA - Purchasing a freshwater fishing licence is easier than ever
with the Province's new e-licensing system, Environment Minister Barry
Penner announced today.

Penner marked the occasion by purchasing a fishing licence at Robinson's
Outdoor Store in Victoria, B.C.'s first e-licence-equipped vendor.
"Freshwater anglers will now have a greater range of choices about how,
where and when they purchase their fishing licences," said Penner.
"Resident anglers and out-of-province visitors will now be able access
licences and fishing information online before they head out for their
next great B.C. fishing adventure."

Under the new e-licensing system, developed in partnership with Service
BC and the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, anglers can purchase
their basic freshwater fishing licence, classified water permit or
conservation stamps through any computer with Internet access or from
any e-licence-equipped vendor.

While the online system has been operational since Sept. 6, 2007,
government has been working with Robinson's in Victoria and Highwater
Tackle in North Vancouver through the fall to pilot the new system for
vendors.

During the transition period, anglers can still purchase traditional
paper licences from their favourite tackle shop. In addition to giving
anglers greater choice and flexibility about how they obtain licences,
the new system will greatly improve the efficiency of the freshwater
licensing system and provide government with better information about
recreational effort and angler preferences. This information will be
used to help ensure that recreational fishing programs and lake and
stream stocking activities are tailored to meet angler demand.
Anglers can purchase fishing licences at www.fishing.gov.bc.ca/ or at
one of one of four e-licence-equipped vendors. More e-licence-equipped
vendors will be added to the system during the next several months.
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Media contact:
Kate Thompson
Media Relations
250 953-4577

John Thornton
Manager, Data and Licensing
Fish and Wildlife Branch
250 387-9776

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the
Province's news feeds using RSS, visit the Province's website at
www.gov.bc.ca.

FN0865-RECREATIONAL - Salmon Region 2 - Non-Tidal; Zero Retention of Chum Salmon on the Cheakamus, Mamquam, Squamish Rivers Systems

Category(s):
RECREATIONAL - Salmon
Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Subject: FN0865-RECREATIONAL - Salmon Region 2 - Non-Tidal; Zero Retention of Chum Salmon on the Cheakamus, Mamquam, Squamish Rivers Systems
Effective 12:00 November 02, 2007 until further notice, the daily limit for
chum salmon is zero (0) per day in the Mamquam River, Cheakamus River and
Squamish River (including tributaries).

The Squamish-Lillooet Sport Fishing Advisory Committee (SLSFAC) and Department
of Fisheries and Oceans staff have noted low returns of chum salmon to these
systems to date. The SLSFAC recommended that the retention of chum be set to
zero.

Current Salmon Retention opportunities include:

Until December 31, 2007 you can retain one (1) hatchery marked coho in:
the Cheakamus River,
the Mamquam River and
the Squamish River including Ashlu Creek, Elaho River and Powerhouse channel
(downstream of boundary signs at the powerline crossing approximately 1.5 km
upstream of the confluence with the Cheakamus River).

Until December 31, 2007 you can retain two (2) chinook per day, none over 55 cm
in the Mamquam River (downstream of the BC rail Bridge to the confluence with
the Squamish River) and
the Squamish River, including Ashlu Creek, Elaho River and Powerhouse channel
(downstream of boundary signs at the powerline crossing approximately 1.5 km
upstream of the confluence with the Cheakamus River).

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Call your local Fisheries & Oceans Canada office.

Notes:
The aggregate daily limit for all species of Pacific Salmon (other than
kokanee) from tidal and non-tidal waters combined is four (4).
Barbless hooks are required when fishing for salmon in tidal and non-tidal
waters of British Columbia. This includes all species of fish in the Fraser
River.

The term “hatchery marked” means a fish that has a healed scar in place of the
adipose fin.

Sport anglers are encouraged to participate in the voluntary Salmon Sport Head
Recovery program by labelling and submitting heads from adipose fin-clipped
chinook and coho salmon. Recovery of coded-wire tags provides critical
information for coast-wide stock assessment. Contact the Salmon Sport Head
Recovery Program at (866) 483-9994 for further information.

Did you witness suspicious fishing activity or a violation? If so, please call
the Fisheries and Ocean Canada 24-hour toll free Observe, Record, Report line
at (800) 465-4336.

For the 24 hour recorded opening and closure line, call toll free at (866) 431-
FISH. The telephone number of the Squamish DFO office is 604-892-3230.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada Operations Center - FN0865
Sent November 1, 2007 at 15:44
Visit us on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca