Fisheries - Current Issues and Priorities

Aquaculture

  • Lobby government ministries in order to move the aquaculture industry to environmental sustainable practices

  • Monitor the progression of US and Canadian Legislation on Aquaculture

  • Attend government and industry sessions that focus on aquaculture and/ or phosphorus in the Great Lakes

  • Provide open communication and liaison between the GBA . First Nation Bands, and other NGO’s (Great Lakes United, David Suzuki Foundation, Sea Choice, Ontario Nature, etc.) who share concerns about open cage aquaculture in the Great Lakes basin.

  • Monitor Provincial postings for license applications and regulation changes for Cage Aquaculture and submit comments.

  • Educate the GBA Association members on the issues regarding cage aquaculture

Invasive Species

  • In coordination with Georgian Bay Forever, prepare to actively lobby at all levels of Government when US legislation for ballast water treatment on ocean vessels is passed.

  • Support the education of GBA association members on

    • How to identify new invasive species
    • Impact of invasive species on their local aquatic environment
    • Steps to prevent the spread of invasive species

Native Fisheries

  • Work in partnership with the Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council (EGBSC) on native fisheries projects

  • Monitor and lobby the MNR on fisheries issues

  • Educate members of the cottager’s associations on:

    • Local fisheries initiatives (eg. bass nests, walleye restoration), cormorants, commercial fisheries, MNR studies and updated fishing regulation

Committee Mandate:

To investigate and advise the Board about new and emerging issues affecting the Bay in the areas of aquaculture, native fisheries and water-based invasive species and to be a liaison with the Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council to help protect and restore the fisheries along the eastern and northern shores of Georgian Bay

Accountabilities

To conduct background work that clarifies the dimensions and policy environment of issues concerning aquaculture, native fisheries and invasive species and to liaison with the Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council. The committee will also liaise and partner with other like minded organizations in order to accomplish its goals.

To remain current on all legislation, existing and new, that is explicit to the eastern and northern Georgian Bay fisheries and to report back to the Board on such.

To present recommendations for Board action, together with rationales based on the research.

Committee Members

Chair John Wilson
          Director of the Board for Manitou

Members
          
          Pat Maloney – GBA Member from                  Honey Harbour
          Claudette Chabot - Chair of the                  Aquaculture Sub Committee
          Bob Duncanson – GBA Executive                  Director and Member from                  Madawaska Club at Go Home Bay

 

©Georgian Bay Association - 2010