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Natural Resources Minister John Snobelen today announced Ontario has brought in new measures that will meet Ontario^s conservation goals for the border waters in northwestern Ontario, resolve a trade challenge from Minnesota, and maintain and protect Ontario^s ability to manage its own resources.
"Minnesota has refused to meet with Ontario to try to resolve this issue. The United States Trade Representative has instead requested a meeting of the NAFTA Free Trade Commission," Snobelen said. "This government will not stand by and watch decisions that affect Ontario^s natural resources be made anywhere but in Ontario. We must act to protect our natural resources."
Ontario^s regulations are conservation measures to reduce overharvesting of walleye and sauger. With the trade issue resolved, Ontario is seeking discussions with Minnesota on the key issues of conservation and enhanced enforcement in the border waters.
"Through the trade challenge, the U.S. seeks open and unfettered access to fish in Ontario waters," Snobelen said. "That^s incompatible with our conservation goals, and simply unacceptable. We^re changing our regulations to continue to meet our conservation goals, and maintain our ability to manage and conserve the fishery. This has always been a matter of conservation, not trade."
Ontario^s new measures allow all anglers who are non-residents of Canada the same strict catch limits of walleye and sauger whether they stay overnight in Ontario or fish from Minnesota. The catch limit is significantly lower than the limit for residents fishing in the border waters. Ontario has also eliminated the current requirement for anglers who are non-residents of Canada to stay overnight in the province in order to keep walleye and sauger, and will eliminate the Border Water Conservation Tag.
"We are allowing strictly controlled access for Minnesota anglers while maintaining our commitment to conservation and the long-term health of the world-class fisheries of the border waters in northwestern Ontario," Snobelen said. "These regulations do not contravene any trade agreement and will ensure the long-term health of the walleye and sauger stocks."
The new approach is consistent with MNR^s efforts to reduce pressure on stocks of walleye and sauger in Lake of the Woods and other border waters. MNR research has shown that walleye and sauger stocks have been exhibiting signs of overharvest.
"Thoughtful management today will ensure that we will continue to have a world-class fishery on the border waters of Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods for generations to come. That is our goal," said Donna Hanson, spokesperson for the Conservation Coalition for Ontario^s Resources.
The coalition worked closely with MNR to develop a workable alternative to Ontario^s previous conservation regulations for the border waters. The coalition is comprised of representatives from the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, the Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters Association, the Kenora District Campowners Association, and the North Western Ontario Tourism Association.
"We developed this change through consultation with key partners, such as the Conservation Coalition and other angling and tourism groups in northwestern Ontario," Snobelen said. "We thank them for their advice, support - especially the support of tourism operators - and help in ensuring the health of these fisheries."
MNR will post an information notice on the Environmental Bill of Rights registry outlining the changes in more detail.
Uploaded: 10/30/1999
Uploaded: 10/30/1999