As I feel this topic is about to get more interesting, I thought I'd start a new thread.
I'm curious to get insight from some tournament organizers/participants on what percentage of the revenue from fishing tournaments is given back to the community/environment in the form of public fishing education and environmental conservation?
How would you feel about a mandatory X% (of total tournament revenue) donation to environmental and conservationally focused objectives??
HW
Fishing Tournaments
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nighttroller
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MichaelVandenberg
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There is little doubt that fishing tournaments place added pressure on a given body of water, and as such, the tournament anglers should accept some responsibility for their actions. Would you honestly have a hard time giving a small portion of your entrance fee back to conserving the very resource that you consuming? I certainly wouldn't if I were a participant. In fact, I would fully expect a tournament organizer and its participants to give back to the resource rather than just utilize the resource for personal consumption, gain, and profit.
As an individual angler who does not participate in tournaments, I believe that licensing fees in most provinces are a joke as far as I am concerned. The majority of anglers give little (if anything) back to the very resource that they are consuming. Even if you practice 100% catch and release, you are still putting pressure on the environment and fishing resources (fish deaths due to improper release, fish deaths due to infections inflicted by anglers, boat emmissions, lost lures in the water, things falling out of your boat into the water, and the list goes on), so $25/year is a sweet deal, and doesn't begin to cover the detriment inflicted on the fisheries. I would have no problem paying more for my license if that money were used to better the fisheries so my children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy it as I do today.
I believe that more money needs to be raised to support fishery conservation period. Whether that is through license fee increases, or via tournaments, that's not up to me to decide. However, given that tournaments are geared toward cash based incentives and are notorious for inflicting significant pressure on the resource, this seems like a logical place to start.
I realize that tournaments generate income for local businesses, but this income is still remaining in the commercial segment. Charitable events generally don't raise nearly as much money as commercial tournaments either. Given this, that's really not that much money going where it should.
HW
As an individual angler who does not participate in tournaments, I believe that licensing fees in most provinces are a joke as far as I am concerned. The majority of anglers give little (if anything) back to the very resource that they are consuming. Even if you practice 100% catch and release, you are still putting pressure on the environment and fishing resources (fish deaths due to improper release, fish deaths due to infections inflicted by anglers, boat emmissions, lost lures in the water, things falling out of your boat into the water, and the list goes on), so $25/year is a sweet deal, and doesn't begin to cover the detriment inflicted on the fisheries. I would have no problem paying more for my license if that money were used to better the fisheries so my children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy it as I do today.
I believe that more money needs to be raised to support fishery conservation period. Whether that is through license fee increases, or via tournaments, that's not up to me to decide. However, given that tournaments are geared toward cash based incentives and are notorious for inflicting significant pressure on the resource, this seems like a logical place to start.
I realize that tournaments generate income for local businesses, but this income is still remaining in the commercial segment. Charitable events generally don't raise nearly as much money as commercial tournaments either. Given this, that's really not that much money going where it should.
HW
Hawg I can see where your coming from but...
Giving government more money does not ensure that more would be done for conservation. Were it the case then I am sure our national infrastructure would be in much better shape overall. I do agree that fishing (tourneys and otherwise) put pressure on the environment but I don't think money would be the answer.
I would however like to see companies that sell equipment and bait (not talking about local bait shops but big corporations) sponser more conservation programs. I know they are big sponsers for tournaments and such but I have yet to see their name attached to anything else (please correct me if I am wrong).
My 2 cents.
Giving government more money does not ensure that more would be done for conservation. Were it the case then I am sure our national infrastructure would be in much better shape overall. I do agree that fishing (tourneys and otherwise) put pressure on the environment but I don't think money would be the answer.
I would however like to see companies that sell equipment and bait (not talking about local bait shops but big corporations) sponser more conservation programs. I know they are big sponsers for tournaments and such but I have yet to see their name attached to anything else (please correct me if I am wrong).
My 2 cents.
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Markus
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I have to agree with Hawg. I think a portion of a tournament fee should be allocated to a fund to improve our resouces.
Lets look at a parallel. What other sport gets free use of a public resouces? Parks. Soccer Fields. Comunity Centers. Baseball Diamonds? Everyone pays taxes to maintain these resources, but when an organized event is happening, there is a rental/lease fee to use it. Why should our lakes be any different?
Lets look at a parallel. What other sport gets free use of a public resouces? Parks. Soccer Fields. Comunity Centers. Baseball Diamonds? Everyone pays taxes to maintain these resources, but when an organized event is happening, there is a rental/lease fee to use it. Why should our lakes be any different?
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Guest
Squib,
You are right for sure. Pumping money into the government system is a lost cause, and would not be overly productive. However, there are other organizations out there that support conservation initiatives and projects where the money may be used more conscientiously. I'd like to see a portion of my license fee (increased or not) go to these conservational organizations. At least in this regard, there is a paper trail.
If the money is going to the right place for the right cause, I think you are right that the big players need to step up and get on board. This includes tournament organizers and tackle retailers since they are at the top of the food chain in this respect.
HW
You are right for sure. Pumping money into the government system is a lost cause, and would not be overly productive. However, there are other organizations out there that support conservation initiatives and projects where the money may be used more conscientiously. I'd like to see a portion of my license fee (increased or not) go to these conservational organizations. At least in this regard, there is a paper trail.
If the money is going to the right place for the right cause, I think you are right that the big players need to step up and get on board. This includes tournament organizers and tackle retailers since they are at the top of the food chain in this respect.
HW
Bingo
I would have no problem paying more for a license if I knew that the money would be used wisely. I am not that familiar with the Federation of Anglers and Hunters but would they be a possible organization to administer something like this?
This actually brings up a question: What bait companies and local retailers DO help to maintain our resources in this regard.
It would be good to know who is interested in a sustainable industry/resource and who is out for the quick buck.
I would have no problem paying more for a license if I knew that the money would be used wisely. I am not that familiar with the Federation of Anglers and Hunters but would they be a possible organization to administer something like this?
This actually brings up a question: What bait companies and local retailers DO help to maintain our resources in this regard.
It would be good to know who is interested in a sustainable industry/resource and who is out for the quick buck.
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Markus
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It would be a bit more complicated than just going to someone like Ontario federation of Anglers and Hunters.
Going back to my parallel....if a ball team rents a ball diamond for the weekend, then the money goes into the ball field, not the swimming pool 2 comunities away.
If bass anglers have to pay a fee to use lakes for their tournaments, then that money should go into bass fishing related expenditures...not restocking salmon in the great lakes.
Going back to my parallel....if a ball team rents a ball diamond for the weekend, then the money goes into the ball field, not the swimming pool 2 comunities away.
If bass anglers have to pay a fee to use lakes for their tournaments, then that money should go into bass fishing related expenditures...not restocking salmon in the great lakes.
Your absolutely right Markus - that was part of my initial point. While giving part of the tournament fee (or license fee for that matter) is great - the administration of it would be a nightmare. Fees paid to Ontario at least stay in Ontario but won't necessarily be put back into these same lakes. More likely they would make their way into some departments big black money pit.
I would much rather see a program administered by someone like OFAH whereby tourney lakes are restocked etc...
I would much rather see a program administered by someone like OFAH whereby tourney lakes are restocked etc...
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Gordo
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I agree with Hawg and Markus,
Some of that money should be allocated to a fund to improve our resources. I've coached football for 12 years and we always pay fee's for both game and practice fields. The benefit of this money going back into the lakes we fish is great for all of us. The tournament guys do shell out some good bucks (I don't want to downplay this at all) to go into these, but a small percentage of that fee going back into improving our resources can only benefit these tournaments in the long run.
Gordo
Some of that money should be allocated to a fund to improve our resources. I've coached football for 12 years and we always pay fee's for both game and practice fields. The benefit of this money going back into the lakes we fish is great for all of us. The tournament guys do shell out some good bucks (I don't want to downplay this at all) to go into these, but a small percentage of that fee going back into improving our resources can only benefit these tournaments in the long run.
Gordo
Gord
NPAA#553
NPAA#553
Right. So when a tourney is run out of the RA centre in Kars Do they pay the RA centre for use of a FREE LAUNCH site?
What about at other free launches? Even if you only pay the 2 dollar parking fee (at least I think it is 2$) at taylor park. That os for park maintenance and does nothing for fishing.
Please do not tell me tourneys are good for the economy. If the tourney guys weren't fishing in a tourney THEY WOULD STILL BE FISHING! They may not buy as much tackle (not good for Paddletales and Baitcasters etc) but they would still trailer the boats and buy food/gas/ whatever.
Unless there is a direct fee for area where the tourney is being held there really is benefit to the local area. Tourneys will only help the lcal economy if there is a large crowd to watch the results. This goes for all sporting events pro and amateur. No spectators -no money- no sport. Just look at the Lacrosse team that folded here. The Lynx need to put butts in seats to survive.
Probassing (Mike) your comment about how tourney anglers pay for hotels / food/gas may be true for a tourney that is not within a short drive (3 hrs) and is true if it is two day event. Most of the local tourneys here are one day events and within a 2 hr drive.
But would they not pay for food and gas regardless of a whether or not they were fishing a tourney? Hotel?
Still comes down to that fact that has been pointed out. If you want to play baseball in an organised manner you must rent a field. To hold a tourney you just gota show up and pay an entry fee to a private organization who inturn takes a fee then remits the rest to the anglers. The local area does not see a cent from it.
and just to re-iterate I am not against tourneys. just against seeing them show up on the same waters every year.
What about at other free launches? Even if you only pay the 2 dollar parking fee (at least I think it is 2$) at taylor park. That os for park maintenance and does nothing for fishing.
Please do not tell me tourneys are good for the economy. If the tourney guys weren't fishing in a tourney THEY WOULD STILL BE FISHING! They may not buy as much tackle (not good for Paddletales and Baitcasters etc) but they would still trailer the boats and buy food/gas/ whatever.
Unless there is a direct fee for area where the tourney is being held there really is benefit to the local area. Tourneys will only help the lcal economy if there is a large crowd to watch the results. This goes for all sporting events pro and amateur. No spectators -no money- no sport. Just look at the Lacrosse team that folded here. The Lynx need to put butts in seats to survive.
Probassing (Mike) your comment about how tourney anglers pay for hotels / food/gas may be true for a tourney that is not within a short drive (3 hrs) and is true if it is two day event. Most of the local tourneys here are one day events and within a 2 hr drive.
But would they not pay for food and gas regardless of a whether or not they were fishing a tourney? Hotel?
Still comes down to that fact that has been pointed out. If you want to play baseball in an organised manner you must rent a field. To hold a tourney you just gota show up and pay an entry fee to a private organization who inturn takes a fee then remits the rest to the anglers. The local area does not see a cent from it.
and just to re-iterate I am not against tourneys. just against seeing them show up on the same waters every year.
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toobinator
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As a tournament angler, I have no problem with a user fee system. However, what constitutes a tournament. Renegade showing up with 75 teams, certainly. Bubba getting together with 10 other guys throwing 25 bucks each in the pot for bragging rights? Hmmm. maybe. Where does the seperation occur between tournament and just a get together? Having said that, in every tournament I have fished this year, I have paid a launch fee. Does this not equal a user fee? The river does not need mowing or lights over it, so I feel that the comparison with other sports is somewhat unfair. Also, the rivers and lakes would fall under the provincial umbrella, so the bulk of any monies put back into the resource would be swallowed up by the bearaucracy(sp?)
As a retailer, and I am sure that the same is true for all outdoor stores, we are asked daily to donate to scores of worthwhile functions, be it Boy and Girl Scouts fishing days to shore reconstruction on the Rideau, as well as supporting the various tournament organizations.
Ed Toobinator Puddephatt
As a retailer, and I am sure that the same is true for all outdoor stores, we are asked daily to donate to scores of worthwhile functions, be it Boy and Girl Scouts fishing days to shore reconstruction on the Rideau, as well as supporting the various tournament organizations.
Ed Toobinator Puddephatt
I don't like tournaments. I don't see alot positive coming out of them.
However, I could live with them if I knew when and how to avoid them.
It's especially deflating when you make plans, tow your boat to the ramp and find a tournament has taken over the lake. Or worse find the lake dead and wonder what the heck is wrong.....till you bump into someone who says.....yea there was a big tourney here yesterday.....100 boats.
That has happened on 4 occasions this year. Even though they took over the ramp and docking, three times they were polite and cordial.
The one that really got me was the group from upstate NY on Dog Lake. They were intrusive and rude. Everytime I caught a fish one would get on a walkie talkie and 2 or 3 would show up and move in on top of you. A member of BASS out of Kingston who was on the lake that day said he was followed all day.
However, I could live with them if I knew when and how to avoid them.
It's especially deflating when you make plans, tow your boat to the ramp and find a tournament has taken over the lake. Or worse find the lake dead and wonder what the heck is wrong.....till you bump into someone who says.....yea there was a big tourney here yesterday.....100 boats.
That has happened on 4 occasions this year. Even though they took over the ramp and docking, three times they were polite and cordial.
The one that really got me was the group from upstate NY on Dog Lake. They were intrusive and rude. Everytime I caught a fish one would get on a walkie talkie and 2 or 3 would show up and move in on top of you. A member of BASS out of Kingston who was on the lake that day said he was followed all day.
tourneys
well here goes from southern ontario.tourney fees would be a nightmare for all. who would delegate the use of monies. who would monitor the tournies. m.n.r. are stretchrd to the limit with enforcement issues and being understaffed.would this be for all species,and would thisnot hurt the local sportsmen .as per kids derbies as such.. if there ever was a user fee it should be a stamp as mich. at least that monies could be implemented towards the species tags bought. but down herethe guys are against the tourney fees as stated.