ONTARIO SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON FISHING MANAGEMENT PLAN

Press Release MNR

The Ontario government is inviting the public to comment on a new fisheries management plan, which includes rules related to catch limits and seasons, for the fishing zone located in the inland area of central Lake Ontario.

Public input is being sought on options in Fisheries Management Zone 17 for changes to:  walleye and panfish fishing regulations, extended fishing seasons and put-grow-take walleye stocking.  

The options are set out in a draft fisheries management plan, developed with the advice and guidance of the Fisheries Management Zone 17 Advisory Council. The draft plan has been posted on the Environmental Registry and comments will be accepted until May 19, 2009.

 The feedback will be considered in preparing the Fisheries Management Plan for the zone, which is scheduled for implementation in 2010.   

According to the 2005 Ontario Recreational Angling Survey, the lakes and rivers of Fisheries Management Zone 17 are the second most fished areas in the province, exceeded only by the Great Lakes.  The zone 17 advisory council was chosen as one of three pilot councils in Ontario. Under the Ecological Framework for Fisheries Management, Ontario hopes to establish councils in most zones across the province.

 LEARN MORE  â€¢ Read the draft plan and proposed management options or view the environmental registry posting (ontario.ca/environmentalregistry), Registry Number 010-5587.   

Additional information on the Fisheries Management Plan as well as the dates and locations of open houses can be found at ontario.ca/zonecouncils  (www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_166747.html).

English News Release: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Newsroom/LatestNews/267915.html

FrenchNews Release: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/fr/Newsroom/LatestNews/267916.html