Spiel

December 27, 2007 MINISTRY MAKES MINOR CHANGES TO FISHING REGULATIONS New Regulations Help Ensure Sustainability Of Fish Populations TORONTO A number of minor revisions are being made to the new 2008-2009 fishing regulations, Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield announced today. "The early release of the new streamlined 2008-2009 Fishing Regulations Summary gave members of the public a chance to identify some clarifications and additions," said Cansfield. "We are moving quickly to fix those to ensure the rules and regulations that come into effect on January 1, 2008, are clear." The revision of the Ontario Fishery Regulations is an important part of implementing Ontario's new Ecological Framework for Recreational Fisheries Management. This will improve sustainability of fisheries and increase public participation in fisheries management with the establishment of Fisheries Management Zone Advisory Councils. The ministry is now managing fisheries on a zone basis rather than on an individual lake basis. This has reduced the number of fishing zones to 20 from 37 divisions, requiring revisions to Ontario’s fishing rules. In rewriting the regulations that govern fishing in Ontario, some omissions were made. As a result, the ministry is implementing a small number of changes in nine Fisheries Management Zones. Some of the changes include: Allowing fishing of lake trout during part of the year on Commando Lake in Zone 8, which lets a traditional winter lake trout derby continue to take place Opening Bill, Wreck and Dog lakes for fishing brook trout all year in Zone 4 Allowing fishing for brook trout all year on Tailleurs Lake in Zone 8. A list of all the changes are available on the ministry's website at ontario.ca/fishing. "We know how popular angling is across the province, and as always we appreciate the benefit of the public’s comments," said Cansfield. "As a ministry, we are working to ensure the health and sustainability of the province’s fish populations." Before going fishing, anglers should carefully review the information outlined in the summary and check the ministry website for updates. The 2008-2009 Ontario Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary is available from licence issuers, ServiceOntario/Government Information Centres and on the ministry’s website at ontario.ca/fishing.

Fish habitat destruction feared by Eric McGuiness, The Hamilton Spectator December 28, 2007 Lake Ontario waterkeeper Mark Mattson believes the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) can -- and should -- stop construction at Pier 22 until the Hamilton Port Authority consults the public about destruction of fish and wildlife habitat at Harris Inlet. Mattson doesn't accept "excuses" offered by DFO and the federal port authority for skipping public input. "First and foremost, there is a lot of public concern about this sort of work in Hamilton Harbour. So many feeder creeks and streams from the escarpment have been filled in, the last few gems have to be saved. "DFO has the authority and ability to stop this tomorrow -- today -- and needs to be reminded of its responsibility. If others have pointed out the destruction of fish habitat and the need for public consultation, DFO can clearly put it on hold until all these legislative hurdles are overcome." Mattson, a lawyer who heads the non-profit waterkeeper organization, doesn't accept an interpretation of the Canada Marine Act that holds port authorities exempt from provincial and municipal jurisdiction, but if it is valid, it's wrong and the act should be changed. "Port authorities shouldn't be above the law," he said, reacting to a Spectator story that revealed a dredging and dockwall construction project for a new Pier 22 began in September after an environmental assessment held there was no need for public input because the area between Strathearne and Kenilworth avenues was industrial. The assessment noted the presence of large ponds, mature trees, a beaver lodge, coyote dens, turtles, fish and other wildlife, but no endangered species. DFO fish habitat biologist Rick Kiriluk said the current project does not include the Harris Inlet waterway or a large, connected pond considered to be fish habitat. He said the authority had rejigged its plans to exclude that area, but plans to make a separate proposal for it. On the issue of public input, he said: "As the Hamilton Port Authority is the lead federal agency on this project, it is at their discretion as to whether or not they conduct public consultation." Councillor Chad Collins, a member of the Hamilton Conservation Authority, says staff accepted too readily the notion the conservation agency has no jurisdiction on federal land. The board now wants staff to determine just how far the authority's regulatory power extends and, if it has none on Pier 22, "there's still an advocacy role for us to play." Collins noted the port authority is prepared to spend $3 million to restore habitat it destroyed at Sherman Inlet, "while going in the opposite direction at Harris Inlet," where a stretch of the all-but-vanished Harris Creek survives. Habitat preservation there "would be an ideal project for the conservation authority, which has taken a leadership role at Sherman Inlet and has expressed intent to take a more proactive role in inner-city Hamilton, especially brownfield industrial sites" such as the 42-hectare Pier 22 property, where Stelco operated its No. 2 Rod Mill. Kiriluk said no DFO authorization was needed for the first phase of pier development, because fish habitat is not affected, but "any further works on the site that involve infilling or alterations to the existing pond and associated connecting channel may require a Fisheries Act authorization and fish habitat compensation." emcguinness@thespec.com 905-526-4650 Pier plan to clear trees, fill ponds and dredge not in port's report The Hamilton Port Authority hired an environmental manager in August 2006, proclaiming its "commitment to environmental responsibility." But its first environmental report to the public, issued last May, failed to mention the Pier 22 environmental assessment begun two months before. Environmental manager Marilyn Baxter was unavailable to explain the omission. Board chair Al Peckham, the only city appointee on the seven-member federal authority, did not return a call from The Spectator last week. A May 2 news release said the report contained an "overview on the HPA's environmental activities, as well as details on environmental programs, projects, operations and community engagement," yet the 13-page document nowhere mentioned the plan to clear trees, fill ponds and dredge eight hectares of harbour bottom to create a multimillion-dollar pier and 15 hectares of cargo-handling space. The Pier 22 Wharf Completion Project Environmental Assessment Screening Report produced by Stantec Consulting Ltd. says environmental assessment began March 20, six weeks before Baxter's report was produced. Section 7.6, titled consultation with the public, says: "Due to the site- specific nature of the project in an already industrialized area, formal public consultation was not deemed necessary as part of this assessment. The project is in conformance with the principles of the Hamilton Port Authority Land Use Plan, 2002, which was developed with public and stakeholder input."

December 27, 2007 Winter Activity Update Check regularly for updates on winter activities at GRCA conservation areas. Ice fishing Shade's Mills Conservation Area - Cambridge Open. Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area - Paris Opens Dec. 29. The ice is thick and safe. Targeted fish species are black crappie and bluegill. Guelph Lake Conservation Area - Guelph Closed for the season due to low water levels in the reservoir. Belwood Lake Conservation Area - Fergus Closed for the season due to low water levels in the reservoir. GRCA

....Right back at you Lew and everyone else here.

....Oh man that would have had me soil me shorts. Amazing what can happen in the blink of an eye. Glad to hear no one was hurt Dave.

....Man I can't think of anything that would make any winter day more fun. Nice job!

....Yep it's a brown, a spawned out female (note the loose folds in the belly) starting to lose her spawning colours. Congrats on breaking in the new reel.

....If money is limited (as it always is) I think I'd forgo colour in favour of the highest quality sonar you can afford. Colour will cost you more than the equivalent non-colour. You know I have 2 Lowrance x-135's and they are pretty sweet. Got one of them for a song and dance, if you want to call me I'll explain how and where. I also prefer to keep my GPS unit seperate for a number of reasons.

....Congratulations.... That's a pretty special Christmas gift for you and your family. Glad to hear all is well.

....Oh boy that Angling Specialties catologue brings back memories. I used to wear mine out every year browsing through it, and ordering everything imaginable. From fly tying supplies to rod blanks and componenets. My first custom blank came form there. I remember it well, a 5' Fenwick glass spinning rod. The blank was yellow and had what was at the time refered to as a spigot ferrule, the first step away from the tradional metal types. Good times indeed.

....Norton removal tool

....I've cleaned many, many whities and have never encountered this. They do have a lateral row of small bones extending out towards the lateral line. I prefer to fillet just as any trout or salmon remove lateral bones, skin and dark lateral meat then lightly pan fry with a little lemon pepper. Yummmy!

....Thanks Bob, now I'll be spending the rest of the day trying to see if we have those in Hamilton.

....That is excellent news Gary, I'm very pleased to hear it.

....Not me, I have 14 days off (as of last Thursday). Back to work January 3rd.

....Oh my oh my, another year closer to wiser. Happy B'day Bud, we'll talk later.

....Ho Ho oooooh, my aching back, hands and everything in between. Why can't things come assembled? Anyway Merry Christmas everyone.

....Back trolling is one of the top reasons I bought a big tiller!

....Ah so young grasshopper and much to learn. Observe the ways of the wise and ye shall become infantly wiser.

....Safe journey you two and have a wonderful holiday.

....Right back at you Sam.

....All humour aside (I loved the humour) Garry I'm sure the set back is only temporary, don't give up.

....Well if it's true then Happy B'day to you Roger.

....Dang you! I want one.

....I'd have to say the oddest fish I caught through the ice was in Owen Sound. It was hooked on a small silver spoon in 90 odd feet of water. It had some weight but not much spunk so I assumed it was a ling, not the intended target. As it approached the hole I could see sure enough it was a ling. Now that may not seem odd but you see this ling was dead and had both fillets removed! And yes it was hooked in the mouth....lol