Historic Role of the Council
The waters and shoreline of Georgian Bay and the North Channel of Lake Huron have long been admired for their scenic beauty and great fishing.  Although the area still provides dramatic landscapes, a growing number of people feel the fishing is not as it once was or still could be.  To address this concern as well as others affecting aquatic resources in the area, the Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council (referred to as the Council), was formed and held its first meeting on October 5, 2000.  The formation of the Council was funded and facilitated by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources with additional support being provided by the Township of the Archipelago.

The Council is made up of many people from a broad range of public interests who are concerned about how we manage the fish we catch as well as the entire aquatic ecosystem.  Although membership in the Council may vary from time to time, a total of 24 individuals are currently participating.  Participants included lodge owners, marina operators, fishing guides, cottage association representatives, individuals from a variety of sportsman's clubs, township representatives, and a First Nation representative.  Council members come from the southern end of Georgian Bay in Severn Sound to the Whalesback Channel area of the North Channel, and parts of Manitoulin Island.

The Council has adopted the following Mission Statement: "To provide guidance for the protection, enhancement, and utilization of healthy, sustainable fish populations, habitats and aquatic ecosystems."  The Council believes in this mission statement.  It reflects the importance of the aquatic ecosystem as a whole.  Healthy fish populations need a healthy ecosystem.  We depend on healthy fish populations for the biological, social, cultural and economic benefits they bring to the area.

We believe that most people want a quality fishing experience - one where the chance of catching a wide variety of types and sizes of fish in possible.  We do not believe that most people simply want to "fill their freezers".  The Council members feel strongly that future generations should be able to experience the joys of fishing just as past generations have.

The Council also feels that the time to act is now overdue.  There are no restrictions to how many anglers can access eastern Georgian Bay and the North Channel.  Fishing pressure has increased greatly over the years as populations grow, access increases, and fishing gear improves.  At the same time, fish populations are suffering from other pressures such as climate change, zebra mussels, cormorants and recently low water levels just to name a few.  Scientific data supports what many have suspected for some time.  The fishing is not as good as it used to be.  The current high rate of fish harvest cannot go on without continued deterioration of fishing quality and availability.

The Council will work in partnership with the Upper Great Lakes Management Unit, Lake Huron (UGLMU), to develop recommendations for managing fish populations in eastern Georgian Bay and the North Channel (excluding the St. Marys River) of Lake Huron.  The Council hopes to be able to channel the thoughts and opinions of many people who are interested in the fisheries of the area in order that their voices are heard by fisheries managers and other decision makers.

The Council encourages anglers, lodge owners, cottagers, tackle suppliers, politicians and individuals concerned about our aquatic resources to rise to the challenge of bringing back a world class fishery to an area that is already considered a world class destination.