I have attached a formal…

I have attached a formal letter with all of our comments. Highlights of our comments are:

- Appreciate the streamlining and attempts to simplify identification and agree with the removal of sculpin, darters and stickleback species and reducing the number of sucker species;
- Given their limited distribution in the province, Redfin Shiner, Central Stoneroller, Fallfish and Striped Shiner should be removed from the permitted list of baitfish species;
- MNRF should further provide and promote tools to commercial and recreational harvesters on
how to identify baitfish and non-target species;
- MNRF should consider, where appropriate, a ban on harvest where there are concerns (e.g. presence of Species at Risk or a high likelihood of the collection of invasive species);
- The proposed Southern Bait Management Zone encompasses FMZs 16, 17 and 18 and the current proposal would allow people to move baitfish great distances across southwestern and
southeastern Ontario. There still remains potential for legal bait transfer across multiple watersheds draining different Great Lakes. The boundaries of the Southern BMZ should be revised to further reduce the likelihood of invasive species being moved into other drainage areas;
- Suggest that relevant components of the proposed standardized commercial training course be provided when recreational anglers renew their fishing licences;
- Please provide additional details on the proposed training course;
- Is there a process whereby a BHA can be retired and remain unallocated due to resource
concerns?