Public Approves Recommendations for New Georgian Bay/North Channel Fishing Regulations

After extensive public consultation, stakeholders have given general approval to recommendations for new fishing regulations for Eastern Georgian Bay and the North Channel. The new regulation recommendations for Divisions 16 and 17 were developed by the Eastern Georgian Bay/North Channel Fisheries Stewardship Council and were first made public in early July. As a result of this broad public support, MNR staff at the Lake Huron/Lake Superior Management Unit have initiated the process to make the recommendations law. The Stewardship Council is made up of approximately 25 people from a broad range of public interests and from all over Georgian Bay and the North Channel who want to address apparent declines in the quality of the fishing. The group is also concerned with the sustainability of struggling fish populations as well as the general health of the aquatic ecosystem. Included on the Council are lodge, marina and tackle shop owners, fish and game club reps, cottage association reps, fishing guides and a First Nation Representative. Technical, scientific and financial support comes from the MNR. Working from their broad mission statement: “To provide guidance for the protection, enhancement and utilisation of healthy, sustainable fish populations, habitats and aquatic ecosystems” the Council concluded that the most immediate action to be taken to meet their goal was to make recommendations to change the current fishing regulations for bass, pike, perch and walleye. Many of the regulations for these species are the most lenient in Ontario and were enacted decades ago when fish stocks were plentiful and pressure on the resource was minimal. In almost monthly meetings over the last 10 months, the Council has reviewed extensive scientific data which shows that many fish populations in Georgian Bay are declining and in some cases, have been decimated. The Council explored and debated various ways of protecting the fishery through regulation changes such as slot sizes, seasons, equipment restrictions (barbless hooks) and catch and possession limits. “We wanted to make sure our recommendations would result in a better fishery, but we didn’t want to see the Regulations even more complicated than they already are, so we took a straight forward approach with catch and possession limits” said Terry Crawford, Director with the Georgian Bay Anglers and Hunters Club and Co-Chair of the Council. The Council circulated over 7,500 copies of an information tabloid to tackle shops, marinas, lodges and cottage groups throughout Georgian Bay and the North Channel. The tabloid outlined the recommendations as well as the background of the Council, scientific data and the process by which the recommendations were developed. Attached was a survey for the public to respond with. An above average number of surveys were returned and the Council members were pleased with the results. Well over 70% of the respondents were in favour of the Council’s recommendations. The Council has set up a website (www.helpourfisheries.com) where the detailed results of the survey, as well other information, is available. “That’s a fair objection”, said Chris Skelton, member of the Council representing the McGregor Bay Association, “The birds are a big problem in the Manitoulin Island area. We want to see cormorants controlled and initially had the issue higher on our agenda. We were of the understanding that the MNR was prepared to address this issue this past summer, so it was not kept our number one priority. Our next meeting in November is focusing almost entirely on cormorants and we will likely follow this with a position on the issue. “ As a result of the broad level of support for the proposed regulations, the MNR is moving through consultations with senior staff, with the ultimate decision being made by the Minister of Natural Resources sometime in October. At that point, the recommendations have to go to the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans for approval. The earliest the changes could be in effect would be for the year 2002. “It is a slow process, but a necessary one to ensure the public is consulted”, said Arunas Liskauskas, the MNR biologist who facilitates the operations of the Council. “Any change, even a clearly positive step forward like this one, takes time and effort. But it’s worth it for the sake of a much stronger fishery” For more information about the Council and the Regulation Recommendations, please contact: