Sport Fishing Advisory Board

The Sport Fishing Advisory Board (SFAB) has been an advisory body to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) on recreational issues since 1964. In the early years, the SFAB dealt only with salt water sport fishing issues and was made up primarily of representatives from the BC Wildlife Federation and independent anglers (e.g. Roderick Haig-Brown, Lee Straight) appointed by the Minister of the day.

In its current form, the SFAB usually meets twice a year (in the late spring and mid winter) to discuss and advise DFO on recreational fishing plans, recreational fishery regulations, and any areas of concern to the recreational fishing community. The SFAB also considers some issues regarding non-tidal anadromous recreational fisheries.

There are approximately two dozen local community based advisory committees, made up of representatives of local recreational fishing interests. These local committees nominate a representative to the North and South coast regional sub-committees of the SFAB. The regional boards also have representatives from provincial angling advocacy groups (BCWF, SFI, BCFFF, BCFDF) and recreational fishery panel representatives to the Pacific Salmon Commission.

The regional North and South coast SFAB sub-committees nominate seven representatives plus the sub-committee chairman to represent their views on the Main Sport Fishing Advisory Board. Other representatives to the Main SFAB include representatives from primary organizations (angling) and secondary organizations (business/industry) and appointees to the Pacific Salmon Commission.

There are working groups of the SFAB which work on shellfish and groundfish; chinook and coho, sockeye, pink and chum and statistics/licensing. The SFAB also has representatives who participate in the Halibut Advisory Board, the West Coast Vancouver Island Aquatic Management Board and the Integrated Harvest Advisory Committee for Salmon.

• A Vision for Recreational Fisheries in British Columbia 2009-2013 [PDF]
  March 2010
• SFAB Consultations

For more information on the SFAB and the SFAB process contact

Regional Recreational Fisheries Coordinator

• Devona Adams: 604-666-3271

North Coast (north of Cape Caution)

• Mark Reagan: 250-627-3409

South Coast (south of Cape Caution)

• Brad Beaith: 250-756-7190

Upper Fraser River/Interior (above Hell’s Gate)

• Dean Allan: 250-851-4821

Lower Fraser River (below Hell’s Gate)

• Debra Sneddon: 604-666-6509
   

SFAB Organization Chart - Click on the graphic below to see full-size version