Alberta Fisheries Round Table Canceled - confirmed

Round Table Participants:

I have decided against holding a Alberta Fisheries Management Round Table meeting on October 24^th. It was a difficult decision to make in view of the very generous offer made by Shane Hansen and the Beaver River AFGA Club, Virgil Huculak of the Wilvil Walleye Club and Corey Nault of the Northern Alberta Walleye Trail. The organization behind delivery of a successful round table meeting is dependent on a wide range of forces coming together. In examining those elements this week I concluded that it would be wise to defer the meeting. Time is required for proper organization and particularly if there is a transition to a model that has non-government groups hosting and sponsoring the meetings. The format of the round table has changed over time and this has set standards for living up to the AFMRT Terms of Reference.

Alternatively, some of the sponsors have agreed to host a morning meeting focused on Competitive Fishing Event matters and an afternoon session focused on Licensing of Recreational Sport Fishing Guides. In each instance the setting of the agenda and chairing of the meeting would be done by a subject rep. Specific GOA staff would act as resource people to listen and provide insight to questions. Discussions are on-going with details to follow. For all intents and purposes, each of these subject areas had been discussed at AFMRT. Most recently in the instance of Licensing Recreational Sport Fishing Guides a subcommittee had been established. These discussions are viewed as working sessions and participation is limited by who the subject reps invite. I expect to offer you more insight next week as the subject reps discuss likely participants.

Thank you

Ken Crutchfield