Ministry has mismanaged fishery, says MPP

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An Ontario member of parliament says he will call for the disbanding of the provincial natural resources Lake Huron unit if a fisheries co-management agreement with two local Native bands isn't reached shortly.

"People are getting very angry about the situation. We need to find a solution, and find one soon," said Bruce-Grey Conservative MPP Bill Murdoch.

Since a 1993 court decision upheld the fishing rights of the Bruce Peninsula's two Ojibway bands, the province and the two First Nations have been unable to reach an agreement on jurisdiction.

Murdoch said the Lake Huron unit has mismanaged the fishery by not coming to an agreement with the Saugeen First Nation and the Chippewas of Nawash, and he is concerned there is potential for violence if the situation continues.

"If we can't get a handle on it, let's get out of the business," he said, adding that he will suggest the management of the Lake Huron fishery revert to the federal government.

In late January, sports anglers were shocked when less than a month into the new year the resources ministry, citing intense fishing activity by Native fishermen, closed the area's whitefish and lake trout fishery for the rest of the year, said Murdoch.

Blake Smith, a spokesman for a coalition of 20 southern Ontario angling clubs, shares Murdoch's frustration with the apparent lack of progress in mediated talks between the two Native bands and the province.

"The whole thing is a shambles. We've been pretty quiet up until now, but sports anglers are so frustrated that it's ridiculous. You are going to see some strong reaction," said Smith.

The Ministry of Natural Resources Lake Huron unit closed the fishery Jan. 26 after the total allowable annual catch of 32,000 kilograms of whitefish and lake trout was surpassed by about 5,000 kilograms.

The ministry based its estimate on reports filed with the ministry by fish wholesalers and by monitoring the activities of up to five Aboriginal fish tugs operating out of Meaford harbor.

John Perks, who holds the only non-Native commercial fish licence for the zone between Collingwood and Wiarton, is upset at the situation.

"The Natives have scooped all the fish again," he said.

This is the second year Perks has had his whitefish and lake trout quota pulled and he doubts his business, which employs six people, can survive.

"I've been sacrificed on the altar of political correctness," said Perks.

While the salmon and rainbow trout fishery remains open, the whitefish and lake trout closure will impact the "thousands and thousands" of sports anglers, said Smith.

"I want to make this clear, we are not opposed to an Indian fishery. What we object to is an unregulated fishery," said Smith.

Chippewas of Nawash Chief Ralph Akiwenzie said his band ordered its fishermen to stop fishing Jan. 20 even though Nawash fish catch data didn't agree with the ministry's.

"We took action to be on the safe side. Our people have been apprised of the situation,'' he said.

Akiwenzie said his band regulates its fishery by monitoring catches and heeding the advice of the band's biologist.

"Conservation of the fish resource has always been our priority," he said.