Seniors Receive Break on Fishing Licence

Seniors in Nova Scotia will pay less for the enjoyment of angling this season.

The province will exempt those people 65 years and over from having to pay for a general fishing license. Instead, seniors will pay the small portion that goes towards habitat and enhancement programs, said Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Ernest Fage today.

"Hopefully this reduction in the fee will make it a little easier on seniors who enjoy the sport of fishing," said Mr. Fage, noting that 6,500 seniors took out a general fishing licence in 1999. "We listened to many concerns regarding the $17.25 general licence fee and are responding to what we heard."

Anglers pay $10 ($11.50 tax included) for a general fishing licence, plus $5 ($5.75 tax included) for habitat and enhancement programs. Seniors are now exempt from the general licence fee. All anglers are required to contribute towards habitat and enhancement.

"All anglers have to contribute towards the enhancement and protection of fish habitat so we can enjoy this great recreational activity for many, many years," said the minister.

The $5 habitat and enhancement fee generates about $300,000 annually and benefits inland fishery projects across the province. The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture stocks trout in about 450 lakes, rivers and streams; conducts underwater dives to study river densities; studies new fish species; and does lake surveys and fish-health analysis.

"Many people may not realize the effort going into sustaining the inland sport fishery," said Mr. Fage. "In fact, there has been a lot of research, testing and enhancement of our province's inland fishery. We need to continue doing more."

More than 100,000 Nova Scotians enjoy sport fishing which, contributes $82 million annually to the provincial economy.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Background information on fishing licences is available below:

A general sportfishing licence costs $17.25 (including tax) for Nova Scotians. Of that, $10 is the licence fee, which goes to the general revenues of the province, while $5 goes towards habitat and enhancement programs. For non-residents the cost is $46.

A resident salmon licence costs $28.75, while non-residents can purchase a seven-day licence for $46 or a season licence for $120. There is no seniors's reduction for salmon licences.

The fee for a general licence has not changed in six years. Licences are available from more than 650 vendors throughout the province. Licences are valid until March 31, 2001.

Anglers who plan to fish during the winter sport fishing seasons are asked to keep their licence and return the stub at the end of the season. All other anglers should return their licence stub after their final fishing trip of the season.