By Tyler Sutherland
The Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) and the Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF) are reminding anglers of the importance of wearing a lifejacket this week.
July 6-14 marks National Fishing Week in Canada, where a public awareness campaign will educate anglers that a lifejacket is just as important as their lucky fishing hat.
“More than half the recreational boats sold in Canada are used for fishing,” said Jean Murray, chair of the Canadian Safe Boating Council. “And during National Fishing Week, the Canadian Safe Boating Council would like to remind all anglers not only to have their lifejacket onboard their boat, but to wear it as if their life depended on it — because it just might.”
According to the CSBC, 80 percent of recreational boaters who drown each year in Canada were not wearing a lifejacket or personal floatation device (PFD). A majority of victims were males between the ages of 19 and 35, out for a day of fishing.
The CSBC and MWF are asking those who fish to ‘get hooked on lifejackets’ too.
