Federal Government adds funding to FISH SAFE program in British Columbia

A fishing industry initiative funded in part by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is getting a cash injection for 2015, designed to expand the offerings from the FISH Safe program in British Columbia.

That ongoing project delivers four safety courses to the fishing industry, providing for instruction in  program options related to boating, navigation, vessel stability and emergency preparedness.

On Tuesday, it was announced that 262,000 dollars would be provided to the program, to be used to expand boating safety programs in remote coastal communities.

The announcement was made on Tuesday in Vancouver, as  Wai Young, the Member of Parliament for Vancouver South spoke on behalf of Fisheries Minister Gail Shea, providing a brief outline of the focus of the funding for 2015.

“The $262,000 in funding for Fish SAFE reaffirms our Government’s ongoing support for preventing instances of injury and death in the fishing industry due to ignorance. We remain committed to supporting the fishing industry’s efforts to make their industry safer.”

The Fish Safe program has been in operation since 2004 and is part of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans partnership with the commercial fishing industry, providing for a program that has been identified as an industry leader in its approach to marine safety.

It's anticipated that by 2016, the federal government will have invested over 263 million dollars in the safety initiative.

More background on Tuesday's announcement can be found from this media release from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

For more on the Fish Safe Program see their website here.

For more items related to the fishing industry on the North Coast and in British Columbia see our archive page here.