On CBC Up North, Jason Turnbull repeated several times that
the MNR imposed new restrictions on the LNSA because we put too many fish in
the lake. That statement is inaccurate. The Minister of Natural
Resources accused the LNSA of harvesting more walleye eggs than our licence permitted
and because we did, the local MNR branch had to impose new restrictions to more
closely monitor what we were doing.
The accusation is not true as we
harvested only 1.875 million eggs in 2014.
If genetic dilution was a real concern, as the MNR states, all
hatcheries would have had the same restriction placed on them. This has not
been the case. As the leader of the MNR,
the Minister owes our volunteer group an apology.
During the CBC interview with Tom Brook (OFAH Biologist)
Jason asked if Lake Nipissing was closed to walleye fishing for two years would
it recover. With a chuckle (which we
struggle to see the humour), Tom said it likely would. Approximately
three years ago, when the MNR suggested that the walleye fishery on Lake
Nipissing close, we started sifting through documents. We came upon the
Henderson Lake study. The walleye population in Henderson Lake was
deliberately fished down in 1980 reducing the population to ~6% of its
pre-disturbance size. It wasn’t until 2003 that the walleye population
recovered, keeping in mind that the fishery was closed the entire time.
Quote from the Henderson Lake study
“These results show that walleye populations can recover naturally following a collapse caused by overexploitation. However, it is also quite clear that it can take decades for the recovery to take place. Even within a protected environment with no fishing mortality, it took approximately 20 years for the Henderson Lake walleye population to increase to pre-disturbance levels.”
Is closing a lake a
reasonable method of recovery as opposed to restocking? Not for the people that rely on it for jobs.
CBC Up North then interviewed Larry Ferguson (MNR Biologist). Larry again tried to down play the new harvest restrictions imposed on the LNSA as necessary. We have several members that have participated in restocking since the beginning and prior to 2013, we had not seen the MNR since 2001. In 2001 the MNR did an evaluation of our restocking process and wrote a paper detailing the operation. Below is the summary of that report.
CBC Up North then interviewed Larry Ferguson (MNR Biologist). Larry again tried to down play the new harvest restrictions imposed on the LNSA as necessary. We have several members that have participated in restocking since the beginning and prior to 2013, we had not seen the MNR since 2001. In 2001 the MNR did an evaluation of our restocking process and wrote a paper detailing the operation. Below is the summary of that report.
“An Evaluation of the Lake Nipissing Walleye Restocking Association’s Walleye Culture Operation of 2001Summary: Overall, the Lake Nipissing Walleye Restocking Association’s walleye rearing program of 2001 closely mirrors that of MNR and other successful walleye culture programs. The volunteers who coordinate the stocking operation are well experienced and knowledgeable of the program. In comparisons with the OMNR walleye culture methodology, the group closely follows suggested methodologies for walleye egg collection and spawning at Wasi Falls and care of eggs in the hatchery. This has resulted in excellent walleye fry production. In the past, the group has expressed concern over fingerling production in the walleye rearing ponds. Unfortunately, outdoor rearing ponds are often difficult to manage due to weather and other uncontrollable circumstances. In most cases, pond culture is the most limiting factor in walleye fingerling production. Through partnerships between the Lake Nipissing Walleye Restocking Associations and the Ministry of Natural Resources increased monitoring of walleye culture operations may lead to more efficient and successful walleye culture programs in the future.”
We have recently abandoned the rearing ponds with the hope of adopting new more successful methods of extensive culture techniques discovered by DNR in Iowa.
Larry also stated that cannibalism was not an issue until the Walleye were considerably older while being reared in ponds. However recent data from the MNR Bluejay creek hatchery identified cannibalism a concern at 7 days old.
MNR quote of the day
“Fish culture and stocking have been key components of the province’s Fish and Wildlife Program for over 100 years. Ontario’s wetlands, lakes and rivers are home to diverse fish populations that provide important benefits to Ontarians. This biodiversity enriches our lives and provides a healthy environment for us and future generations. Recreational fishing, wildlife hunting and wildlife viewing contribute over $6.2 billion annually to our economy. Of Ontario’s 12.3 million residents, 6.7 million participate in fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and other fish- and wildlife-related recreational activities each year. More than one million licensed anglers fish Ontario’s waters each year, contributing $2.4 billion to the economy. Together, these activities support more than 77,800 jobs.”