O.F.A.H. sounds alarm over Lake Huron commercial fishing agreement

O.F.A.H. sounds alarm over Lake Huron commercial fishing agreement

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.), the largest non-profit conservation based organization in Ontario is raising concerns over the recently signed commercial fishing agreement between the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Saugeen Ojibway Nations.

“While the O.F.A.H. recognizes that aboriginal peoples in Canada have certain inalienable rights under the Constitution and Charter of Rights, the Lake Huron recreational sport fishery could be seriously compromised by this new agreement, particularly if the Ministry of Natural Resources is not vigilant in terms of enforcement in the interests of conservation of the resource,” said Mike Reader, O.F.A.H. Executive Director. “The O.F.A.H. and our strong member clubs located along the Lake Huron shoreline from Collingwood to Kincardine who have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and thousands of volunteer hours working on stocking programs for salmon, brown, rainbow and lake trout are profoundly concerned about the potential impact of this new deal. Unless the Ministry is prepared to take its responsibility to the taxpayers of Ontario, to local clubs and our members seriously, and vigorously enforce the conditions of this commercial fishing agreement, the multi-million dollar recreational sport fishery on Lake Huron could become nothing more than a memory.”

Mr. Reader also noted that the recreational sport fishery is a major tourist draw for the Owen Sound and Wiarton area, particularly during the Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular and other fishing events that attract thousands of anglers from across the province. “These agreements are negotiated between the native community and the province, with no input or involvement by the local communities and anglers. Because of this, and in light of the potential impact on the sport fishery, the O.F.A.H. is seeking an immediate meeting with the Minister and key staff to discuss the establishment of a strict formal protocol for enforcing the agreement that will include written reports of violations such as non-marked commercial nets, the illegal sale of sport fish and violations of the boundaries covered under the agreement. The O.F.A.H. would also be pleased to meet with the Saugeen Ojibway Nations to discuss this protocol, which should be welcomed by all parties as a sign of faith in the terms of the agreement.”

The O.F.A.H. continues to believe that it is the responsibility of the Ministry to listen to local clubs and their members when negotiating these agreements, since the Ministry is the steward of our valuable natural resources on behalf of all people of Ontario. While the new commercial fishing agreement includes provisions for monitoring, data collection, sharing of information and other joint operational issues, the key will be the Ministry’s willingness to undertake the same level of enforcement that applies to all anglers in Ontario in the interests of protecting the resource.

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