In regards to the harvesting…

In regards to the harvesting of baitfish and the development of the Strategic Policy for Bait Management I would like to register my comments and concerns as outlined below to be considered in the proposed policy #012-9791. Firstly there needs to be a guarantee that this identifying designation of zones for Anglers will not have a fee attached. This does not need to become another cash grab for licensed Anglers whose fees continue to climb annually.If and when a designation is required the identification of this zone can simply be applied to our current outdoors card and licencing. Next as I harvest my own bait I want the limit to remain at 10 doz this does not need to change!

Although the movement of bait fish is surely not our only and most significant threat to the introduction of invasive species to our waterways, the premise that the harvesting, use and movement of bait fish being linked to the spread of diseases and invasive species has merit. Having said this the proposed policy is limited in it's scientific research and outcome based impact. This is evident in the proposed zoning with little consideration of the actual water body systems and the watershed flow. For instance from the Thunder Bay region to the Manitoba border the chain of the lakes through Lac des Mille Lacs,Turtle River, Rainy Lake, Rainy River , Lake of the Woods,Winnipeg River,Sturgeon River ,English River and the Wabigoon River systems are all interconnected and flowing into one another along with endless connections of creeks and lakes and other water bodies. All one water shed ! The existing bait fish within these waters are already part of their biodiversity. Therefore if zoning is believed to minimized the potential ecological risks to the aquatic ecosystems the designation of these zones has to be reconfigured to respect the natural relationship between the water system with Northwestern Ontario.

[Original Comment ID: 209724]