The Manitoba government has contributed an additional $794,000 to the Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Fund (FWEF) to further build its capacity to support projects that promote the sustainable use and proactive management of fish and wildlife populations and habitat throughout the province.

“Our government has long recognized the importance of supporting projects that conserve, manage and enhance fish and wildlife species in the province,” said Natural Resources and Northern Development Minister Greg Nesbitt. “We took significant steps to modernize the FWEF with new funding and delivery model, and made a historic $20-million investment to the endowment fund in 2020. We are pleased to announce this additional funding, which will allow the 2023 program to grant more than $1.3 million to support projects across Manitoba.”

The minister noted the funding recipients will be announced in spring 2023.

The nearly $800,000 in funding is comprised of 10 per cent of the annual fees collected from recreational angling, hunting and trapping licences, all restitution payments collected for fish and wildlife infractions, and all voluntary donations collected from the public through Manitoba’s e-licensing system, added Nesbitt.

Over 23,000 people voluntarily contributed more than $143,000 in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 fiscal years to the FWEF through the e-licensing system.

The FWEF provides support for projects that enhance the sustainable use and management of legally harvestable fish and wildlife populations by licensed hunters, fishers and trappers. Non-profit groups, local agencies and research organizations can apply for funding for initiatives that conserve and enhance Manitoba’s fish and wildlife populations including those that:

  • study fish and wildlife populations;
  • promote sustainable and ethical hunting and angling practices through education;
  • protect or improve critical fish and wildlife production habitat; and
  • secure property to provide public access to angling and hunting opportunities or to protect critical fish and wildlife production habitat.

For more information on the Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Fund, visit gov.mb.ca.