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Hunting and fishing are major contributors to the Saskatchewan economy,
according to a recently completed review.
Of the $1.4 billion spent annually by tourists in Saskatchewan, approximately
$307 million is spent by people engaged in hunting or fishing activities,
including money spent on outfitting services. Hunters and anglers who live in
Saskatchewan spent $176 million of that, or about $100 every time they went
hunting or fishing.
"Saskatchewan is blessed with a healthy environment and bountiful natural
resources that make life better for Saskatchewan families by creating jobs and
economic growth," Environment Minister John Nilson said. "Much of the spending
from hunting and fishing supports our rural and northern communities and
businesses, such as restaurants, hotels and gas stations."
People 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,"
Nilson said. "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."
The review, commissioned by Saskatchewan Environment, is the most extensive
study to date of hunting and fishing expenditures in the province. It 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.
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