The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), with input from the Fisheries Management Zone (FMZ) 17 Advisory Council, prepared a draft fisheries management plan for FMZ 17. The FMZ 17 Advisory Council has provided advice to the MNR on fisheries management challenges, opportunities and actions as well assisted in the identification of fisheries management priorities. The draft plan is a resource document to guide the management of fisheries and aquatic resources in FMZ 17 for the 2010 to 2020 time period. This is the first fisheries management plan that has been developed for this FMZ.

The planning area includes all of FMZ 17, including waters of the Trent Severn Waterway from the mouth of the Trent River to Canal Lake, the Crowe River Watershed, and the eastern portion of the Oak Ridges Moraine.

FMZ 17 supports important recreational and tourism-based fisheries. The recreational fishery focuses on walleye, bass and panfish. Walleye populations were once very abundant within the FMZ. Dramatic changes in the ecosystem, particularly following zebra mussel invasion, have caused declines in walleye populations. These same ecosystem changes have favoured populations of other fish species (bass, panfish) that are associated with increased water clarity and aquatic plant growth.

Lakes within FMZ 17, like most places in the lower Great Lakes basin, have undergone dramatic changes in water clarity with the reduction of human inputs of phosphorus and the invasion of zebra mussels. Habitat loss and increased fishing effort also put pressure on this valuable resource. These changes necessitate the development of a comprehensive fisheries management plan. The objectives of the draft plan are to:

• Protect and enhance the biological integrity of the aquatic ecosystem; 
• Promote the sustainable utilization of fisheries resources; 
• Develop a greater knowledge of fish populations, fish habitat and aquatic ecosystems; 
• Describe the existing conditions of the fish community to establish a benchmark of ecosystem health; 
• Provide a framework for fisheries management;
• Rehabilitate degraded fish communities and fish habitat, for self-sustaining, native stocks; 
• Promote public awareness, appreciation and understanding of fisheries resources and the aquatic habitats on which they depend; and 
• Involve organized angling associations, environmental interest groups and the general public in fisheries management activities.

The draft plan provides information on the status of the aquatic community, designates target species for management, and provides management direction.

If the draft plan is approved, then subsequent regulation changes may be made (under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and/or the Fisheries Act) in order to implement the plan.

To prepare a fisheries management plan that will provide management direction and tactics to protect, rehabilitate, and sustain aquatic ecosystems and fish populations in FMZ 17 for the 2010 to 2020 time period.

The following is a link to the draft plan http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/260166.html (Executive summary is available in French http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/fr/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/263491.html).

Additional information on the Fisheries Management Plan and Public Information Sessions can be found at www.ontario.ca/zonecouncils

Comments can also be submitted to FishPTBO@ontario.ca

This proposal was posted for a 70 day public review and comment period starting March 17, 2009. Comments were to be received by May 26, 2009.

All comments received during the comment period are being considered as part of the decision-making process by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Please Note: All comments and submissions received have become part of the public record.

The FMZ 17 Fisheries Advisory Council contributed to the development of the draft fisheries management plan and includes members of the public representing tourism, recreational anglers, and other stakeholder interests. Additional public input will be obtained through the 2009 Sportsmen’s Show, public information sessions to be held during the comment period, and feedback provided directly to the MNR Peterborough District Office.

Once the dates and locations of Public Information Sessions have been determined they will be available at www.ontario.ca/zonecouncils.

Dan Taillon
Area Biologist
Ministry of Natural Resources
Field Services Division
Southern Region
Peterborough District Office
300 Water Street
Floor 1
PO Box 7000
South Tower
Peterborough Ontario
K9J 8M5
Phone: (705) 755-3302
Fax: (705) 755-3125