55 new conservation officers hired !!!!

[Eric]

CHILLIWACK, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(CCNMatthews - May 9, 2007) - Canada's New Government continues to strengthen its enforcement efforts on Canadian waters. Today, at a ceremony in Chilliwack, 55 new recruits graduated from the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) fishery officer training program.

Their efforts were applauded by the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

"Today's fishery officer graduates can be proud of their decision to embark on a meaningful career. Their efforts to conserve and protect Canada's fisheries will be felt for generations to come," said Minister Hearn. "These new recruits are part of an investment by Canada's New Government to the Fisheries and Oceans enforcement program."

The timing of today's graduation means that the fishery officers will be in place just in time for the summer fishing season. The enhanced capacity will help DFO's conservation efforts on the Fraser River and other DFO offices across the country through increased monitoring and surveillance activities and more proactive and collaborative strategies.

Having completed 18 weeks of classroom training, the new officers will now be deployed to various field offices to broaden their knowledge and experience. Deployment is as follows: 21 officers in British Columbia; 11 in Newfoundland and Labrador; 10 in Nova Scotia; three in both New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island; two in Saskatchewan, Ontario and the Northwest Territories; and one in Nunavut.

The next 30 months will involve hands-on field training under the guidance of senior fishery officers. The new fishery officers will learn to monitor fisheries to ensure compliance with a conservation-based, precautionary approach, as well as enforcement techniques and how to monitor construction developments and activities that might impact fish habitat.

[phearless]

Hopefully this will help with the hot spots in BC.
Remember to call in any violations you see.
Even if it never gets attended, it does get recorded and will let the powers to be know we need more enforcement yet.

" Can I check your hook please "