Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Fisheries Act Changes Pending

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The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, announced that the Harper government will introduce changes to protect the productivity of recreational, commercial and Aboriginal fisheries. This means focusing protection rules on real and significant threats to these fisheries and the habitat that supports them while setting clear standards and guidelines for routine projects. It also means strengthening partnerships with provinces and conservation groups as well as creating better tools to ensure compliance and enforce the rules where necessary. Read more

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

2010 Survey Shows Recreational Fishing a Contributor to the Canadian Economy

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The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Gateway, today announced the results of the 2010 Survey of Recreational Fishing in Canada which shows the importance of recreational fishing to Canadians, communities and the tourism sector. The 2010 survey is the eighth in a series produced every five years since 1975. The survey provides the definitive assessment of recreational fishing in Canada. Read more

Concerns Expressed Over Potential Federal Fisheries Act Changes

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Several groups including Canadian Aquatic Resources Section (CARS) of the American Fisheries Society have written the Fisheries Minister expressing concerns over potential Fisheries Act changes. Read more

Ontario

Commission on the Reform of Ontario’s Public Services Report

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This 700-page report from the Commission on the Reform of Ontario’s Public Services spans 362 recommendations and urges some major changes to the way Ontario delivers public services. Chapter 13 deals with Environment and Natural Resources and outlines the Need for Transformation. Most responsibility for protecting the province’s environmental and natural heritage falls to two ministries: the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR).

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Ontario Out of Doors

Wiper Caught in Lake Ontario

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While fishing in Lake Ontario off the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station (PNGS) this past mid-January, Oakville angler Tim Rourke landed a large “Wiper”, a cross between a White Bass (Morone chrysops) and Striped Bass (M. saxatilis). Rourke boated a 6.8 kilogram specimen of one of the province’s least-known hybrid fish on that balmy -12°C day. The warm-water discharge from the PNGS attracts a variety of species, especially in cold weather. Trout and salmon are common, but anglers can also catch bass, walleye, pike, panfish and drum. Read more

World Record Rainbow Darter Captured in the Talbot River

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When most people brag about a big fish they’ve caught, they hold their arms out wide to show just how huge their catch was. Brent Shirley caught a big fish, too – a world record breaker. But his fish would fit easily in the palm of his hand. Shirley made his record-breaking catch when he was doing fisheries monitoring work in August on the Talbot River, a tributary to Lake Simcoe. Read more

The Waterloo Record

Nile Tilapia Captured in the Grand River

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Chris Bunt of Biotactic Fish & Wildlife Research recently captured what appears to be a Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), an exotic African fish, in a fish ladder on the Grand River near Hidden Valley. It’s believed to be the first record of the species in Canada and raises the possibility the invasive fish could threaten native species. The fish has been sent to Fisheries and Oceans for testing to determine whether the 28 cm fish had been in the Grand for only a few weeks or much longer. Read more

American Fisheries Society

AFS Response to B.P. Oil Spill

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AFS President Don Jackson has been working closely with the other AFS officers and the AFS executive director to develop a plan for responding to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. It has been sent to federal agencies. The plan (American Fisheries Society Oil Spill Initiative), in conjunction with the “President’s Hook” in the July 2010 issue of Fisheries (Vol 35 No 7), gives a framework for discussions with members of your respective subunits regarding the AFS response to the spill.

MNR Repsonds to AFS-OC Concerns Regarding Asian Carp

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The Minister of Natural Resources has responded to Ontario Chapter concerns regarding the potential for Asian Carp to invade the Great Lakes Basin via the Chicago Shipping Canal. Read more

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

DFO Responds to AFS-OC Concerns Regarding Asian Carp

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The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans has responded to Ontario Chapter concerns regarding the potential for Asian Carp to invade the Great Lakes Basin via the Chicago Shipping Canal. Read more