What is Sportfishing Defence Alliance?

Sportfishing Defence Alliance (SDA) is an alliance of concerned groups in BC who are determined to see that the rights and concerns of the sportfishing community receive equal and fair consideration in the management of fisheries. Concerned anglers, who were members of these organizations, formed SDA in 1998 to represent and pursue recreational fishing and fisheries resource preservation interests through direct communications, legal and lobbying actions that could not be accomplished effectively by the separate groups. SDA is registered under the societies act in BC.

SDA is affiliated with the following organizations:

• BC Wildlife Federation
• BC Federation of Drift Fishers
• Fraser Valley Angling Guides Association
• Fraser Valley Salmon Society
• Georgia Strait Guides Association

Who has supported SDA to date?

• All of above organizations
• Fish and game clubs throughout BC
• Individual recreational anglers and others in Western Canada and the USA.
• Fisheries Survival Coalition
• Representatives of recreational and commercial fishing businesses

What has SDA accomplished to date?

• Continuation of the recreational fishery for Fraser River sockeye salmon through extensive lobbying and on-river protests.
• Initiated observe, record, report procedures with anglers to assist DFO in monitoring and enforcement activities regarding illegal fishing activities along the Lower Fraser River.
• Provided legal representation for recreational fishing interests in court cases (Kapp Case and Qualicum Case).
• Represented recreational fishing interests on government and fisheries resource committees.
• Arranged and conducted protests on the Fraser River and at federal cabinet meetings to draw government, public and media attention to DFO's inequitable treatment of the recreational fisheries for salmon, in the Lower Fraser River and Alberni areas, and the lack of effective enforcement by DFO to control illegal fishing and sales of salmon.
• Conducted patrols of the Lower Fraser River by aircraft and by boat to observe and record (by photos, videos and writing) illegal net fishing by Aboriginals - reoirted these violations to DFO for enforcement of regulations.
• Filed and pursued criminal charges against the federal minister of fisheries, for aiding and abetting illegal fishing, as a result of the many failures by DFO to enforce fisheries regulations and stop illegal fishing and illegal sales of fish by Aboriginals.
• Completed several presentations to federal and provincial politicians and their staff regarding recreational fishing interests.
• Performed critical reviews of government policies and treaty documents and advised government of recreational fishing concerns.

What does SDA want to accomplish?

• Preservation and protection of fisheries resources and recreational fishing for future generations.
• Recognition by governments of the economic value of recreational fishing to BC and Canada to ensure equitable allocations of catches, financial and staff resources and fishing opportunities commensurate with this value.
• Adequate funding to provide legal representation for SDA as an intervenor or as a direct party in court cases that involve or can impact on the rights of the public to fish and/or on recreational fishing interests.
• Direct representation of recreational fishing interests at treaty tables to ensure that public resources, interests and rights are protected during negotiations and in treaty agreement.
• Inform and educate the public on the nature, extent and potential impact of threats to their rights to fishing, hunting and outdoor recreation on crown land and waterways.

Will you help SDA to protect your fishing rights?

If even half of the fishing licence holders in BC would contribute $10.00 to SDA. A reserve of funds could be established that would fund SDA initiatives to defend and protect your rights to fish and your recreational fishing interests in perpetuity.

How can you donate to SDA?

Please complete this donation slip (make cheques payable to "Sportfishing Defence Alliance") and mail to:

Sportfishing Defence Alliance
PO Box 2477
Chilliwack, BC V2R 1A8

What else can you do to help SDA defend your rights?

• Please pass this appeal onto your friends and aquaintances. Ask them to help SDA.
• Write to or talk to your local MP and MLA to express your concerns about protecting your fishing rights and your interests in outdoor recreations.
• Join your local fish and game club to increase the political and financial strength of the organized, concerned sportsmen and sportswomen in BC.