My Organization has grave…

My Organization has grave concerns regarding the Strategic Policy for Bait management in Ontario

!.The proposed bait management zones boundaries following fishery management zone lines are arbitrary and do little to prevent transfer of unwanted species between watersheds.

- Much of the proposed zone boundary between A & C & B follows a railroad track. There cannot be any science behind this.

- The proposed arbitrary zone boundaries between B & C allows invasive species from Zone C near Lake Superior to be carried into the Western part of Zone C and then follow the Artic watershed either into zone B(west through Lake of the Woods or north through Wabakimi) or Zone A directly through the Brightsand and Allanwater Rivers in Wabakimi. Not much science in this decision either.

- A more logical approach would be watershed management and zone boundaries which follow watershed lines.

- We only have 2 watersheds in this area, The Arctic shed which includes proposed Zone B & A and the western part of C. Following these watersheds seem to be less complicated & more scientific. They would be easier to define & enforce & have little impact to our businesses & jobs.

2. The proposed zone lines arbitrarily prevent fly in operators who cross the borders from remaining competitive with other tourism operations who may not haver to cross lines.Our fly in operation has high paying & highly skilled jobs(pilots) which no government wants to lose in the north. Some of these jobs may be in jeopardy because of these changes

3. The proposed ban in some provincial parks causes loss of competitiveness to my operation. 8 out of 10 of my fly in outposts would be classified as being in a park. There is potential for economic loss to my business if guests choose to book with an outfitter with not bait restrictions. Rusty Myers employs 17 people who contribute to our economy. Some of these jobs may be in jeopardy if I lose guests to other outfitters. Not only is there a potential loss of jobs but there will be an economic impact for my suppliers(gas, propane, retail) as well as loss of income for the government,. The North cannot afford to lose skilled workers. It makes little sense that a waterway park has a live bait ban when any waters flowing into the waterway park has no ban

How will the MNR enforce the transportation of bait within a zone which has to cross by land or water from one part of a zone to another part of the same zone which has to traverse a Park? Many of these parks have roads & even highways running through them

The solution is

A. not to include parks- most preferred

B.allow salted minnows for bait as well as worms

C include the whole province in the ban so that everyone is on the same level field

The MNR is concerned about invasive species What about all the boats that cross the border & the canoes that go into the parks? & The water bombers who transfer water from one lake to another? Why are they only looking at live bait as the concern?

We as outfitters do not want to see invasive species enter our waters . The MNR has to work with our industry so that we can survive as well as protect our natural resources.

[Original Comment ID: 209882]