kickingfrog Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 I'm with Gord on this. http://www.outdoorcanada.ca/Cut_the_Carp From Gord Pyzer: Ontario says no to fishing tournament Province rejects chance to host 2017 World Carp Championships Trust me, I am not making this up. The Ontario government, through the Minister of Natural Resources, has refused to host one of the biggest fishing events on Earth. Turned thumbs down on an event that would have profiled to the rest of the world some of the province's most unbelievable natural resource-related tourism opportunities. Given the bum's rush to a good news conservation story that would have been covered by more international media—television, radio, magazine and newspaper—than possibly any other fishing event in the world. But the Minister has said, "no thanks" to the enormous social and economic benefits—that is much needed jobs and revenue—that would have accrued to the province and the country.If you're wondering what I am talking about, it is the 2017 World Carp Championships. The organizers wanted to stage the 100-percent catch-and-release tournament in Lake Ontario around Toronto. It would have been only the second time the event would have been held in North America and the first time ever in Canada. But the Ontario Minister of Natural Resources has thumbed up his nose and scoffed at the international invitation. Why, you wonder? Well, it is because the organizers requested a simple Minister's variation order that would have allowed the contestants from 102 teams from 27 countries from around the world to use two fishing rods for the few days of the tournament. We're talking about a signature on a piece of paper for crying out loud. But it gets even crazier.Are you ready for this: If the anglers were sitting in boats tied to shore, two rods would be legal because it's the standard on the Great Lakes where the event would have taken place. But, if the anglers fish from shore, as is the custom in the World Championships, they would be deemed to be fishing illegally. Hence, the request for the short term variation order, which I would hasten to point out, is designed precisely to give the Minister the discretionary power to accommodate this very type of thing and is used prolifically by his counterparts in other provinces.Think it can't get any sillier? You'd better sit down for this one.While carp are one of the most sought after game fish worldwide—in places like Britain, Europe, Scandinavia, China, Japan and even the United States—they enjoy a much less celebratory status in Canada. As a result, there is no carp season in Ontario—it is open year round—and you can shoot them in many locations with a bow and arrow. Matter of fact, you can kill as many giant carp as your heart desires, even when they're spawning, and at the end of the day drag home the carcasses to fertilize your rose bushes. Canadian carp pro, Len Perdic shows the level of sophistication that carp angler's have gone to in pursuit of their quarry Understand what I am saying? The organizers wanted to profile to the rest of the world the amazing carp fishing that Ontario has to offer and in the process, educate Canadian anglers on the unbelievable angling opportunity for gigantic fish that they're failing to value and appreciate. They wanted to catch, handle carefully, quickly weigh and then safely release the very same fish they could legally shoot with bows and arrows.I know what you're thinking, but hold the thought, we're not finished yet.Against this potential social and economic windfall, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources is facing a massive fiscal shortfall. Fisheries science projects are being shelved, staff are being laid off and conservation officers are being told not to drive their boats and vehicles in order save money on gas. In an attempt to shore up its bank account, Premier Wynne has already indicated her intention to scrap the enormously popular conservation fishing licence, which was a godsend, forcing all anglers to purchase much more expensive full limit seasonal licenses. It is nothing more than a cash grab, of course, but it will have oh, so serious resource repercussions.Cash strapped young adults and first time anglers, the very folks we want to get outdoors and engaged in the sport will now think twice about buying an expensive license, as will the husbands and wives of avid anglers who only occasionally accompany their partners. But the bigger problem will be all the resident and non-resident anglers who start thinking that, since the province has done away with the half limit conservation license, there mustn't be any problem killing their limit every time they go fishing. Heck, they'll even argue that they paid for it.Talk about sending the wrong message.Compare that to the fact that the World Carp Championship organizers wanted to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars hosting one of the biggest events of its kind and profile, free of charge, Ontario's splendid tourist opportunities to anglers around the world, who will potentially visit the province, stay in its motels, hotels, resorts, campgrounds, provincial parks and tourist establishments. The visitors would frequent restaurants and dining rooms and do all the things international tourists do creating much needed social and economic benefits, creating jobs and filling the province's coffers.At the same time, the Championship would shine a bright light on an under-utilized and overlooked natural resource, which for the most part is being wasted today. And in the process it would educate resident anglers about how to enjoy the fishery responsibly, sustainably and ethically.But, in order to do it, the Minister of Natural Resources would have to sign his name on a piece of paper which he is not prepared to do.Like I said, you couldn't make up this stuff if you tried. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manitoubass2 Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 Wow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 Ministry of Numpties and Retards. After hearing another story this weekend from up around the Spanish area, their minimum pass percentage must be pretty feeble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusky Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 What a waste of an opportunity. I wish we would be able to question these retarded politicians who are good for nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lookinforwalleye Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 Well you are relying on a Liberal cabinet minister to make a informed rational decision.... ..... four more years and you all will have another chance to get rid of the criminals, until then...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Pike Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 (edited) I've watched past World Carp Championships on Youtube and read accounts from famous British Carp anglers who have participated in them. I'm blown away by the scope of the event and sorry that we won't be getting the event because of a Minister's poor lack of judgement. Edited June 22, 2015 by Mike Pike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmokestackLightnin Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 You can bet the Minister's decision came after consulting the Ministry. This is really dumb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wkrp Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 Stupid is as Stupid does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish_fishburn Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 Doesn't surprise me at all. I still haven't been able to find anyone who voted for the Liberals in the last election. So how did they get a majority govt? Must of took lessons from the fed govt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallie Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 Wow indeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cram Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 Just playing devil's advocate....maybe they were worried about setting a precedent that would be expected for tournaments for other species? (around changing the rules in general to accommodate tournaments, not that specific one). As for the economic benefit...I'd bet it's not that much greater than a kid's hockey tournament. I doubt this was going to be bringing bazillions of $ to Ontario. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cram Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 Though maybe they already change the rules for tournaments for other species...i don't know much about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmer Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 It's not even a game fish we're talking about. Silly Liberal Government. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrilla Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 The same government that decided to make the new ferry for Pelee island in Chile instead of right here in Ontario LOL LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bacon Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 Though maybe they already change the rules for tournaments for other species...i don't know much about it. They do. Some of those have been permanent changes to the laws. E.g. Laws have been changed to allow culling of bass, pike, and walleye in order to accommodate tournaments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paudash Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 no surprise, we just keep voting them in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmokestackLightnin Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 Don't get me wrong, I am not happy with the present provincial government. However, the Minister likely made his decision based on input from Ministry staff. There is a long list of concerns with the Ontario MNRF and this is just another brick in the wall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broker Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 Whatta shame. Would have been neat to see here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishindevil Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 Typical !!!! Only the clowns in charge could screw it up this bad to not see the economic benifits of this !!!! Unreal ..... If all the govt put their heads together they might make a rock pile !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manitoubass2 Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 Sadly this will probably be the last time they ask. Lotsa people like carp fishing and im sure those people would have loved this idea. Too bad really on many different levels. Im not in the area but I would have loved to watch it. Carpers are intense, its entertaining Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manitoubass2 Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 (edited) Rob, is anyone against Gord? Friggen guy is insanely knowledgeable about all things fishing and hes super good at presenting it in a friendly manner. I met him at a seminar in Emo ontario years back and its was such a treat to hear his insights to angling and various species. Edited June 22, 2015 by manitoubass2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 (edited) I,ll bet, it would of drawn more $$$$$$$$$$, then any big bass series here. We are talking about anglers from all around the world here. SAD. Always liked watching the UK fishing tournys on tv. Edited June 22, 2015 by Brian B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishnsled Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 Day in and day out this government never ceases to amazing me how incompetent they are. I'm still bashing my head over the last election. Gord Pyzer for the next Minister of Natural Resources! However, too good of a guy to go down the path of politics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manitoubass2 Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 Day in and day out this government never ceases to amazing me how incompetent they are. I'm still bashing my head over the last election. Gord Pyzer for the next Minister of Natural Resources! However, too good of a guy to go down the path of politics. I could only imagine if Gord filled that position! Imagine the president of the MNR pulling up in a boat telling you the lakers are shallower then usual???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Posted June 22, 2015 Report Share Posted June 22, 2015 (edited) I wonder if any letters to the Minister have been initiated to let him know how crazy this is. Dear Minister Mauro: I was shocked while reading some angling websites today regarding the chance at Ontario hosting an international event, namely the 2017 World Carp Championships in Ontario. Your decision to pass on hosting this prestigious event which encompasses world wide tourism and nature is beyond comprehension. A simple variance in the rules to allow some changes for a few days can easily be accommodated. Various levels of Government make short variances to rules, ie, allow motor car racing on public streets, closing major roadways for cycling, running and pedestrian events that raise substantial amounts of money. Tourism for one could use a great boost with an event like this and you choose to deny it. Again, this is beyond comprehension. I don’t believe it’s too late to take another look at this world wide event and let some of Ontario shine. Sincerely Edited June 22, 2015 by Fisherman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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