| The Nove Scotia River Watch Program is a province wide volunteer oriented initiative.
The Tusket River Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada will organize, promote and run the program on behalf
of the Province's Inland Fisheries Advisory Committee.
The program has been designed to educate participants in the importance of our habitat and fisheries
resources in addition to the proper observation, recording and reporting of violations affecting these resources.
River Watch focuses on activities of the entire watershed including lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, riparian zones and estuaries. |
"Help us ensure you enjoy your angling experience"
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River Watch Fisheries Monitors are not assigned to
a specific area. They observe watershed activities
all across the province. Participants assume a non-confrontational
approach to all situations and are not intended to
serve as a replacement for professional fisheries
enforcement. They act as a communication link between
government and the general public, and help government
carry out the mandate to protect aquatic habitat and
promote the sportfishing industry.
This community-based volunteer program stresses
the relationship between the community and the watershed.
It identifies positive and negative activities impacting
the watershed, habitat issues and the use and mis-use
of fisheries resources. River Watch encourages anglers,
landowners, industry and all other stakeholders to
join in the protection of fish, fish habitat and the
environment.
River associations, angling and environmental groups
across the province act as host groups for the program,
recruit volunteers and hold one day training sessions
for the participants. Each participant attends this
one day training session which focuses on the proper
observing, recording and reporting of violations,
habitat issues, communication, the link between the
community and the watershed and the education of others.
Each participant is provided with a River Watch manual,
hat, crest, log book and public relations cards. A
River Watch newsletter is now available.
River Watch is intended to be completely self-sustained
and run by the volunteers themselves. It is the hope
of the River Watch program that through education,
communications, and an increased number of volunteers
in the field, that the users and abusers of our natural
resources will gain a greater appreciation of their
vulnerability and learn to treat them with respect
and discretion. Funding for River Watch is from the
Canada/Nova Scotia Cooperation Agreement on Economic
Diversification.
To find out more about the program or to join River Watch contact:
Bill Curry, River Watch Coordinator
Tusket River Chapter Trout Unlimited Canada
Box 44, Port Maitland
Nova Scotia, Canada
B0W 2V0
Phone: (902) 649-2428
Fax: (902) 749-5193
E-mail: riverwatch@tightlines.ca
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