As a member of the FMZ 11…

As a member of the FMZ 11 Advisory Committee I appreciate that the effort put into the policy for bait management. I understand that the industry is worth $23 million dollars to the provincial economy however the magnitude of the economic risk dwarfs its value. As the lead in states it is a "significant risk to Ontario fisheries and biodiversity".

Most jurisdictions in Canada have banned the use of live bait long ago.

With a purpose of "reducing the ecological risk" the document acknowledges these increasing complex rules for harvesters, dealers and members of the public will not do the full job. It might well be called "moving in the right direction".

The positives include:

a 33 species bait list that is less harmful than the one before it.

Recognition that bait was transported long distances by anglers and shipped by wholesalers. In some cases wholesalers (or a rewholesaler) shipped Simcoe shiners from North Bay to Cochrane by bus on a regular basis.

Requirement of receipts for commercially bought bait when being transported although it is delusional to believe that it will work given there is still individual bait harvest, likely the worst part of the risk to ecosystems. If one wanted to support the industry and reduce risk eliminate personal harvest.

The province, in general, is just waking up to the loss of natural brook trout waters to baitfish and introductions in general. The fact that the policy proposal recognizes the risk supports the efforts to sustain BT in FMZ 11. The problem in FMZ 11 and I suspect in other zones is that we are much more dependant on stocked BT waters which we lose on a regular basis to perch, pumpkinseed and rock bass introductions that come from baitfish use. All brook trout resources stocked or natural are at severe risk from baitfish.

Recognition and support for the upper tier parks (wilderness, nature reserve, nat environment, waterway and cult heritage) through bait bans and removal of or denial of new commercial harvest.

Finally education of the harvesters and dealers is essential. Not only regarding the law and policy but about the ecological risk. Inclusion of verifiable local losses of fisheries such as stocked brook trout waters is essential to their understanding of loss. Similarly anglers have to understand the risks they pose to their own recreation and this only comes through a targeted program.

[Original Comment ID: 209778]