Hello Scott,…

Hello Scott,

I attended your Information Session-Draft Policy for Bait Management in Sudbury ON - May 24th. I would like to express some of my concerns with the proposed policy. Here are some topics which I would like to see revised in the draft.

#1. PERSONAL HARVEST

I would like to start with the biggest concern that I have. I 100% agree with anglers having difficulty distinguishing legal bait fish. Most of my customers don't have a clue about species and depend on me to sell them legal bait. I ask the MNR to prohibit anglers from harvesting their own leeches and minnows. It's clear and simple why anglers should not harvest for personal use. You are proposing a new bait policy due to so much new research on how to improve the bait industry, yet you leave the backdoor open by allowing anglers to trap. As a retailer/harvester, I have to take training, fill log books, keep receipts together, pay hefty fees to be allowed to trap. I have to be responsible or I can be fined. Yet anglers can get away by saying "I didn't know". Allowing anglers to trap is not helping the conservation of our bait industry. All measures we are taking won't matter if people are allowed to trap. Just to give a few examples, here are some conversations I've had with customers. What is the difference between a common shiner and emerald shiner? I have 5 traps in the water and I didn't catch anything that's why I'm buying minnows today. I have a holding tank at home, what kind of aerator do I need to keep them alive? Can I bring you minnows I trapped and get them bagged with oxygen? People do what they want and it has to stop!!! We are building a new policy to manage and increase certainty of the bait industry, yet people allowed to trap just creates loopholes. Please stop anglers from harvesting for personal use. If not, they should have to pay a fee with their outdoors card if the want to trap with a minimum of $50 per year. As well as a mandatory online bait harvesting course with established fines for those who do not follow new policy. #2. HARVESTING TROUT LAKES

I believe harvesting in native trout lakes has no ecological risk or negative impact altogether. I have spoken to an MNR person who stocks lakes and in his professional opinion, harvesting in native brook trout lakes should be allowed. Also, many harvesters would be seriously affected with harvesting being prohibited in those areas. #3. BAIT INSPECTION

As a retailer /harvester, believe me when I say I care about invasive species and the prevention of them spreading. As a hands-on person in bait sales, please understand the last inspection is when we serve a customer. The bait is in our hands as we count a dozen and transfer them in a clear bag or container. We would see if something didn't belong there. I don't believe we should be on a "demerit point system" when a conservation officer drops in for a bait inspection we should not get fined for having a couple tadpoles in the tanks. We would never serve that to a customer or any other illegal species. I do not know of any other retail industry working on a demerit point system. #4. LIST OF BAIT SPECIES

Since smelts are not listed on proposed bait fish, I would like to see FROZEN SUPERMARKET SMELTS prohibited as allowed bait. A very large amount of anglers use those during the ice fishing season.

I would like for the above topics be revised in your policy draft.

Thank you for your effort in creating certainty in the bait industry.

Jocelyne

[Original Comment ID: 209868]