Fishing the Credit - What's It Worth to the Local Economy?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 18, 2006

The economy of Ontario and to a smaller extent the GTA, supports recreational fishing by providing jobs, tourism dollars, equipment sales and many other related expenditures. In fact, the Province reports that $1.56 billion is contributed to Ontario 's Gross Domestic Product by recreational fishing each year!

Considered by many to be the most diverse cold water fishery in eastern North America, the Credit River is an important component of this economic benefit within the GTA. “Now is a perfect time to get a sense of the potential impact as the salmon fishermen gather along the banks of the Credit at Erindale Park in Mississauga ” noted Bob Morris, Senior Aquatic Biologist at Credit Valley Conservation.

  Credit Valley Conservation (CVC), working with a number of partners, has recently launched a study to assess the socio-economic impact of the Credit River fishery. To gather the necessary data they are conducting an angling survey along the River and on-line via their web site.

CVC will be attempting to determine the value of the Credit fishery by evaluating such information as: distances traveled to fish, expenditures, amount of time spent and several other variables. However, in order to get an accurate measure of its value all Credit River anglers are being requested to participate between now and the end of October.

This information, when analyzed, will help us provide the social and economic case for protection and restoration of the fishery and efforts to help keep the Credit River healthy. This study is the first part of a larger initiative by CVC to better understand how the natural features and areas of the Credit River Watershed benefit the residents and the local communities in social and economic ways.

The survey is easy to complete, and all information anglers provide is kept strictly confidential. The survey is only a click away and can be accessed through the CVC website or by going to: www.creditvalleycons.com/anglersurvey .

MEDIA CONTACT:
Bernadette Fernandez,
Communications Specialist
905-670-1615 ext 240