For fishers, having cutting edge fishing hole information is like Tin Tin getting hold of a treasure map.
In Canada, there is no more dependable source of waterway data than Angler's Atlas, and the Prince George company got special recognition this week from the provincial government for the work they do.
Angler's Atlas provides both online and hardcopy data (periodical magazines) to help fishers make the most of their outdoor adventure experiences. They offer up open-source maps and depth readings on oodles of lakes, ponds, creeks and rivers all over B.C. and across Canada.
The company also provides information on resorts, gear, and good ol' fashioned fishing stories.
The service is built on inputting GPS and other geographic data and anecdotal information as well. It builds over time and is accessible to all.
This being Technology Skills Appreciation Week in B.C., Angler's Atlas was recognized for its unique use of technology, putting tech skills to use, and being a workplace that emphasizes technology among its employers and employees.
Local MLAs Shirley Bond and Mike Morris visited the offices of Goldstream Publishing Inc., the headquarters for Angler's Atlas since its foundation in 1999.
"Our firm builds technology platforms that cater to the fishing and hunting communities. The Angler's Atlas is our primary business and it focuses on the sportfishing market," Angler's Atlas president Sean Simmons said. "We have developed an online platform that provides detailed maps and information for over a quarter million lakes and rivers across North America. Our firm has developed a geospatial technology over the past decade that allows us to manage large geospatial databases, ensuring every piece of data about fishing is connected to location."
"It was great to be able to meet with Sean, production co-ordinator Kathy Buhler and their team to better understand the vision they have for their company," said Bond. "It was also exciting to learn that the majority of the staff are UNBC graduates, a fantastic example of why our northern university is so important to creating strong local companies."
"Technology plays a critical role in how we do business in this day and age," said Morris. "Here in Prince George, our technology organizations provide great contributions to other sectors of our local economy, including tourism and natural resource development."
In January, the B.C. government released the full #BCTECH Strategy which further supports the growth of B.C.'s vibrant technology sector. The multi-year strategy focuses access to capital for promising companies, talent development and market access. The multi-year strategy provides the $100-million BC Tech Fund to give entrepreneurs and tech startups in B.C. the opportunity to access the capital they need to grow. It aligns training with the sector's needs so employers across B.C. have the talent they need. It provides ideas to make it easier for businesses to find the information and services they need to get their goods and services to new markets.
The management and staff at Angler's Atlas was presented with a commemorative proclamation in appreciation for the jobs the company creates and the services they provide using interactive technology.
According to provincial government data, the technology sector directly employs more than 86,000 people in B.C. and the wages are 60 per cent higher than the industrial average. Furthermore, B.C.'s technology sector is growing faster than the overall economy with a 4.7 per cent jump since 2013 compared to the overall economy's increase of 3.2 per cent. Another jump is in the number of startups in that sector. In 2013, the sector added 700 companies to now sit at 9,000 individual firms.
