The Government of Manitoba has named 5 people who have been appointed to the Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Fund Committee.
Three of the members are new, and two are returning. One of the new members is former MP Robert Sopuck, who been named the Committee Chair.
Sopuck, who served two terms as a Member of Parliament for the Dauphin-Swan River- Neepawa riding, is excited about his new role.
“I am very, very pleased. I’m an avid hunter and angler myself, but I’m an official wildlife biologist,” said Sopuck. “For me, this is a perfect fit. I have also spent time in senior levels of government, and also of course as an elected official. In all those capacities, fish and wildlife management and conservation was a very strong component, so I feel very much at home here. I’m very grateful to the Manitoba government for this opportunity.
A portion of every hunting and fishing licence sold in Manitoba goes into the Enhancement Fund, and the Committee is responsible for deciding where the money should be allocated.
Sopuck said that he is satisfied with the direction of the projects already planned by the committee but, on top of measurable benefits for fish and wildlife populations, he wants to keep the sportsman in mind.
“There have been many terrific projects done to date, but I want to make sure that the central role of hunting and angling in Manitoba, is very much front and centre in all of the projects,” said Sopuck
Sopuck was not the only member of the Parkland appointed to the committee. Swan River’s Todd Yakielashek and Dauphin’s Jim MacMillan were named to the Fish Enhancement Subcommittee. Aaron Goethe from Swan River joins Barry Sadlowski from St. Andrews on the Wildlife Enhancement Subcommittee.
Sopuck says the fact that a majority of the committee being from the Parkland shows how strong conservation groups are in the region.
“I think those of us living in the Parkland should be very proud of the private conservation organizations that we have here,” said Sopuck. “As I look across Manitoba, between Intermountain Sport and Fish and Swan Valley Sport and Fish, I think those are models that need to be replicated right across Manitoba. The Parkland is home to many of our fantastic, aerated trout lakes that are drawing anglers from all over the world.”
Sopuck went on to say that when it comes to conservation in Manitoba, hunters and anglers have no competition.
