- POLITICS TRUMPS SCIENCE IN BC’S GRIZZLY BEAR DECISION
- 100 Outfitters Negatively Impacted
One week ago, we learned from the Guide Outfitters of British Columbia (www.GoABC.org) that the provincial government announced the complete ban on grizzly bear hunting in British Columbia (BC).
Two independent scientific reviews confirmed that grizzly bears are well managed in British Columbia. Experts estimating that there is a healthy population of approximately 15,000 grizzly bears. Strict hunting regulations have been in place since 1976 and the harvest rate is consistently at 2%, well below the sustainable harvest rate of 6%. In the Auditor General’s report, Carol Bellringer stated, “The greatest threat to grizzly bears is not hunting, but rather, human activities that degrade grizzly habitat.”
In August Minister Donaldson said, “It’s not about the numbers. It’s a matter of society that has come to the point in BC where they are no longer in favour of the grizzly bear trophy hunt.”
“It is truly disappointing that we throw history and science out the window,” says Michael Schneider, president of the GOABC. “We expect our government to make informed decisions for wildlife conservation based on the best facts and best available science. Emotional decisions have great risk of unintended consequences.”
About 100 outfitting businesses will be negatively impacted by this decision; many will not be able to survive the financial loss. For more information, contact Scott Ellis at (604) 541-6332.
About the GOABC: The GOABC is a nonprofit society that was established in 1966 to represent the guide outfitting industry to government, and advocate for science-based wildlife management. Currently, the industry directly employs approximately 2,000 people in rural communities and our industry generates over $116 million annually.
Our vision is for a province with a strong and stable guide outfitting industry and abundant big game populations for all to enjoy, both today and in the future. As passionate advocates for wildlife, the GOABC is the recognized voice of the guide outfitting family. With integrity and professionalism, GOABC promotes conservation, stewardship, and sustainable use of wildlife. Learn more at www.goabc.org.
