One of my small joys is watching from a Saskatchewan shore as a boat of fishermen or fisherwomen floats by, simply enjoying each other, the day, and the hope of a catch.

Fishing is one of the top five outdoor activities undertaken by Canadian pleasure travelers, and Saskatchewan is renowned for having some of the best fishing in the world.  We have 68 fish species in our provincial waters including walleye, rainbow trout and northern pike. The industry is attracting droves of new fishers and is a driving factor of the local, provincial and national economy.

Recreational fishing increased by 11.3 per cent between 2005 and 2010 with almost 300,000 more Canadians buying a resident fishing license.  Across the country, recreational fishing contributed $8.3 billion to local economies in 2010.  That’s $8.3 billion creating jobs in tourism, transportation, retail goods, boating, vehicle sales and more.

In addition to the sport attribute, Canadian fisheries play important social roles as well.  More than 3.3 million adults participated in recreational fishing in Canada in 2010, which is more than hockey and golf combined, and fishing is certainly a family activity.  In fact, industry sources state almost nine million Canadians or over 25 per cent of the nation’s population enjoy recreational fishing. The sport attracts thousands of visitors to Canada each year.

Our Government is proud to support recreational fisheries across the country. We understand the important role healthy and sustainable fisheries play in local economies, family recreation and preservation of habitat. Through Economic Action Plan 2013 and the new Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program, our Government is providing $10 million over two years to support partnerships with local groups to protect, restore and rebuild fisheries habitat.

Our Government is delivering real results for anglers and all Canadians from coast to coast to coast. We will continue to work with our partners to protect Canada’s valuable and natural oceans, lakes and rivers for future generations.

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The audio version of Garry's July 29, 2013 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here