How We Are Funded

The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC (FFSBC) delivers a range of technical and professional services needed to support both recreational fisheries and fish conservation and restoration in B.C. 

In 2003 the Province introduced a new dedicated fee funding model.   Under this funding model 100% of dollars collected from licence sales is used to support sport fisheries service delivery.  It was further established that conservation and restoration of wild fish populations would be supported by General Revenue rather than licence fees.  

Three Sources of Funding 

1. Angler Licence Revenue

Licence revenue is allocated to three agencies:

1. Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, 

2. Habitat Conservation Trust Fund,

3. Ministry of Environment's (formerly WLAP) Environmental Stewardship Division. 

Fees are used to support lake and stream stocking, licensing, permitting, the fishing synopsis, and sport fisheries sport fisheries management functions.  The FFSBC expends it’s 54% of the total angling licence revenue on delivering stocking programs to 1,000 lakes and streams and on the promotion of sport fishing within the province.

2. Revenue from Ministry of Environment for Conservation and Restoration Work

The FFSBC provides a number of professional and technical services to support the conservation and restoration of wild fish populations in the Province.  For example the Kootenay Sturgeon and Upper Columbia Sturgeon Conservation Hatchery programs are partially funded this way.  Currently the FFSBC receives about $1.2M annually in contract payments for conservation work under an agreement that is reviewed annually.  Revenue to the Society for conservation work does not come from licence fees but from General Revenue as conservation and restoration of the resource is the responsibility of the Provincial government – not anglers.

3. Revenue from Partnership Agreements and Contracts with Third Parties

The FFSBC also receives revenues from other governments, crown corporations, First Nations and the private sector under various partnership agreements and contracts for the delivery of fish culture and other services.