Northwestern Ontario fish hatchery gets a boost

OFAH File: 842/420H
June 28, 2006

For Immediate Release

Northwestern Ontario fish hatchery gets a boost
O.F.A.H. applauds M.N.R.’s expansion of Dorion Fish Culture Station

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters congratulates the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources on its announcement yesterday to upgrade an extremely important fish hatchery in northwestern Ontario.

“Obviously, we are very pleased about the Ministry’s expansion of the Dorion Fish Culture Station which the O.F.A.H. approved in confidence weeks ago while discussing ongoing changes to the provincial fish culture operations,” said O.F.A.H. Executive Director, Mike Reader. “This announcement will mean jobs and improved fishing and socio-economic opportunities in the north, not to mention other immediate benefits to the fish culture program throughout Ontario.”

The good news about the fish culture program comes only hours before another anticipated announcement affecting fish culture production. In addition to the Dorion announcement, the province is committed to talking with the O.F.A.H. over the future of the entire fish culture program which the Federation has been led to believe will undergo significant operational reviews in the near future.

For years, the O.F.A.H. has insisted that the provincial fish culture program, including the Dorion Fish Culture Station serving Lake Superior and northwestern Ontario’s inland lakes, must remain a core operation of the Ministry of Natural Resources.

“Having thousands of O.F.A.H. members involved in volunteer hatchery operations, the Federation has years of experience in the fish culture program and knows how important it is, especially in the north. As such, the angling community is pleased that the Minister is working with the O.F.A.H. on this and other initiatives,” added Reader.

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