Hunters and Anglers Major Contributors to Saskatchewan Economy

DUC pleased with the recognition of waterfowlers and fishers

Regina, Sask., December 21, 2006—The most extensive study to date of hunting and fishing expenditures in Saskatchewan has confirmed what Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) has long recognized about the importance of waterfowlers and anglers to the economy.

Saskatchewan Environment released a report that demonstrates of the $1.4 billion spent annually by tourists in Saskatchewan, approximately $307 million is spent by people engaged in hunting or fishing activities. Waterfowlers are a key component of the hunting community.

“The contributions of hunters and anglers are tremendous to the economy and conservation alike,” said Brent Kennedy, DUC’s manager of provincial operations in Saskatchewan. “DUC was founded by conservation-minded sportsmen in 1938. This economic study is a firm reinforcement of the key role waterfowlers and anglers play in local communities and in wetland and waterfowl conservation. DUC could not achieve its goals without their support.”

Hunters and anglers are the core of DUC’s volunteer force raising funds in the U.S. and Canada that support habitat conservation in Canada.

In a recent Saskatchewan Environment media release, Environment Minister John Nilson said “Saskatchewan is blessed with a healthy environment and bountiful natural resources that make life better for Saskatchewan families by creating jobs and economic growth. Much of the spending from hunting and fishing supports our rural and northern communities and businesses, such as restaurants, hotels and gas stations.”

The release also stated that hunters and anglers who live in Saskatchewan spent $176 million, or about $100 every time they went hunting or fishing.

Other facts included in the release were that people in Saskatchewan spent the most money on angling. In 2005, approximately 120,000 Saskatchewan residents over the age of 16 bought a fishing licence. Another 21,000 Canadians and 19,000 people from out of the country came to Saskatchewan to fish. All together they spent a total of $200 million. The province's commercial fishery was worth another $5 million. In 2005, 70,000 hunters, 49,000 of whom were Saskatchewan residents, spent $107 million.

“In addition to the substantial contribution to the province's economy, hunting and fishing have deep social and cultural importance in Saskatchewan. It is important to ensure that these activities take place in a way that will allow them to continue to benefit
everyone in Saskatchewan and help build a better future right here for our young people,” Environment Minister Nilson states in the release.

The review, commissioned by Saskatchewan Environment, will form one piece of a body of environmental, social and economic knowledge that will be used to help make decisions about conservation and resource use.

The review includes:

For more information:

Art Jones
Environment
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5796
Email: ajones@serm.gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-536-8452

Marci Dubé
Regional Marketing and Communications Manager
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Phone: (780) 930-1242
Email: m_dube@ducks.ca

 
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