Ontario Provincial Bait Review

Provincial Bait Policy Review- Commercial Sale and Transport, Allocation and Reporting of Baitfish and Leeches in Ontario		Mini 15
Keyword(s):   Fish and Wildlife  |  Water  |  Conservation
Comment Period: 45 days: submissions may be made between June 08, 2015 and July 23, 2015.
Description of Policy: The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is undergoing a comprehensive review of provincial bait policies to help improve the management of bait (i.e., baitfish and leeches). There are five topics being addressed by the policy review: 1) Angler Use and Movement; 2) Parks and Protected Areas; 3) Commercial Sale and Transport; 4) Allocation; and 5) Reporting. The intent of the review is to determine how the ecological risks associated with the movement and use of bait can be minimized to help maintain healthy fisheries across the province, while also reducing the complexity of current management regimes and increasing business certainty to the bait industry. MNRF is not considering provincial scale prohibitions on the harvest, use or sale of baitfish and leeches as part of this review. The following goals have been established to guide the policy review: 1) Bait is managed to protect the health of aquatic ecosystems. 2) Sustainable use of bait resources enhances the quality of life for Ontarians by providing recreational, social and economic benefits. 3) Bait is managed to conserve the resource and maintain a viable bait industry. 4) Bait management is adaptable, effective, consistent across the province and simple to implement. The harvest and use of live bait has been an important part of Ontario’s fishing industry for nearly a century and the commercial bait industry employs thousands of Ontarians. In 2013 there were 1159 licensed commercial operators 447 Licenced Commercial Harvesters, 382 Commercial Dealers, 67 Tourist Harvesters and 263 Tourist Dealers. While the commercial bait industry provides significant benefit to the provincial economy and the recreational fishery, the movement of live bait poses ecological risks related to the spread of disease and invasive species and poses a significant risk to Ontario’s fisheries, protected areas and biodiversity. Recently, management of the bait resource has become more challenging due to new environmental pressures (e.g., invasive species, diseases) that can threaten the health of fisheries and aquatic ecosystems. This policy proposal addresses the final three topics of the review: Commercial sale and transport; allocation; and reporting. Specifically, MNRF is evaluating potential options relating to the following aspects of the management of commercial bait: 1) The scale at which commercial harvesters and dealers can move bait; 2) Testing programs to screen commercial bait for disease and invasive species; 3) The level of certification and training that should be required by licenced commercial bait harvesters, dealers and their designates in Ontario; 4) Bait harvest in species at risk areas (not including provincial parks and conservation reserves); 5) Storage of commercial bait in Ontario waters; 6) Harvest and storage gear restrictions; 7) Alignment of Bait Harvest Areas (BHA) to other management boundaries; 8) Allocation of bait resources within a BHA; 9) Valuation of the bait resource; 10) Existing commercial bait licence structure; 11) Record keeping and reporting; and 12) Compliance framework. MNRF has been working with an external stakeholder group (Bait Review Advisory Group (BRAG)) to look at all possible approaches with respect to bait use and movement by anglers, including the status quo. Options have been put forward and evaluated based on how well they meet the goals of the review. MNRF is soliciting feedback to help inform the review and refine the final policy options. Purpose of Policy: To invite comments on the proposed policy options being considered for managing the commercial sale and transport; allocation; and reporting of bait (i.e., baitfish and leeches). Other Information: In conjunction with this Environmental Registry posting, a short online survey has been set up as a way of providing input into the possible range of policy options. The survey includes information about the options, and brief questions for ranking preferences. The survey can be found at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PJ6GDL7 For those who do not wish to complete the survey, the same information about the draft policy options that is included in the survey can be found at the following link: http://apps.mnr.gov.on.ca/public/files/er/Policy_Options_for_Commercial_topics_June4.pdf The following web links provide supporting information: Provincial Bait Policy Review Information notice advises the public of the provincial bait policy review being conducted by MNRF. Search ER# 012-1043 http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/ Provincial Bait Policy Review- Angler Use and Movement of Baitfish in Ontario Policy proposal notice seeks feedback from the public on policy options associated with the angler use and movement of bait in Ontario. Search ER# 012-2836 http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/ Provincial Bait Policy Review - Bait Use and Commercial Harvest in Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Policy proposal notice seeks feedback from the public on policy options associated with bait use and harvest in Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves in Ontario. Search ER# 012-2835 http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/  Licenced Commercial Bait in Ontario – 2013, 2012 and 2011 Annual Summaries These documents are the most recent summary of commercial bait licencing and harvest in Ontario based on the annual reporting cycle.  Report – Licenced Commercial Bait in Ontario 2013 Annual Summary http://apps.mnr.gov.on.ca/public/files/er/2013AnnualBaitSummary_FINAL_AODA.pdf Report – Licenced Commercial Bait in Ontario 2012 Annual Summary http://apps.mnr.gov.on.ca/public/files/er/2012AnnualBaitSummary_FINAL_AODA.pdf Report – Licenced Commercial Bait in Ontario 2011 Annual Summary http://apps.mnr.gov.on.ca/public/files/er/2011AnnualBaitSummary_FINAL_ADOA.pdf The Management of Bait in Ontario: A Review This document provides information on the live bait industry in Ontario, including types of bait used, licence sales and harvest, economics, and the current approaches and challenges to bait management in Ontario and in other North American jurisdictions. http://www.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/management-bait-ontario-review Risks and Impacts of Spreading Aquatic Invasive Species by the Recreational Use of Bait: A Literature Review (Kerr 2013) This report reviews the recreational use of bait as a pathway for introducing and spreading aquatic invasive species and potential impacts to fisheries and aquatic ecosystems. http://apps.mnr.gov.on.ca/public/files/er/the-introduction-and-spread-of-aquatic-invasive-species-through-the-recrreational-use-of-bait.pdf Permitted Baitfish Species This document identifies the 48 species of legal baitfish in Ontario http://www.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/what-kinds-baitfish-can-i-use-live-bait Bait for Personal Use This document provides details on possession limits, allowable capture methods and other conditions related to live bait. http://www.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/fishing-live-bait Fisheries Management Zone (FMZ) maps This map shows the 20 different Fisheries Management Zones in the province. http://www.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/fisheries-management-zones Public Consultation: This proposal has been posted for a 45 day public review and comment period starting June 08, 2015. If you have any questions, or would like to submit your comments, please do so by July 23, 2015 to the individual listed under "Contact". Additionally, you may submit your comments on-line. All comments received prior to July 23, 2015 will be considered as part of the decision-making process by the Ministry if they are submitted in writing or electronically using the form provided in this notice and reference EBR Registry number 012-4222. Please Note: All comments and submissions received will become part of the public record. You will not receive a formal response to your comment, however, relevant comments received as part of the public participation process for this proposal will be considered by the decision maker for this proposal.

Better Late Than Never

Looks like the Calcium Fairy paid a visit to Paradise Lake

Phase II of Moose Review

Ministry: Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Date Information Notice loaded to the Registry: July 15, 2015 Members of the public are invited to submit their written comments by August 14, 2015 by email to mooseproject@ontario.ca and quote ER number 012-4587 in the subject line. Keyword(s):   Fish and Wildlife  |  Conservation  This notice is for your information. The Environmental Bill of Rights does not require this notice to be placed on the Environmental Registry, however, section 6 of the Act does allow the Environmental Registry to be used to share information about the environment with the public. Rationale for Exemption to Public Comment: The purpose of this posting is to notify the public that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is initiating Phase 2 of Ontario’s Moose Project. MNRF is reviewing the range of factors potentially affecting moose in Ontario to determine possible management actions moving forward. MNRF is requesting preliminary input to ensure the best available information is considered in Phase 2. MNRF is not advancing any specific policy proposals at this time. MNRF will provide opportunities for public review and comment on any subsequent policy and/or regulation proposals at a later date. Description: Moose are an integral part of Ontario’s biodiversity. Moose hold strong social, ecological and economic importance for many Ontarians and generate millions of dollars in economic activity through hunting, viewing and tourism each year. Recent population surveys have shown declines in moose populations in many parts of northern Ontario, a trend also being seen in other North American jurisdictions. In 2014, Ontario’s Moose Project was initiated to explore potential management actions to address or mitigate pressures on moose populations such as harvest, predation, parasites, climate and changing habitat. Phase 1 of the Moose Project included early engagement with stakeholders, tourist outfitters and Aboriginal groups and communities, who provided valuable insights on initial actions to support healthy and resilient moose populations. Phase 1 is now complete and regulatory changes regarding moose harvest management are being implemented to limit the calf moose hunting season (beginning in 2015) and delay the start of the moose hunting season (beginning in 2016) across much of northern Ontario. Phase 2 of the Moose Project is now being initiated to develop new moose population objectives and possible actions to address the broader range of factors and pressures potentially affecting moose populations. Supporting information on these topics is provided in the Other Information section below. Moose population objectives are critically important in the management of moose populations and maintaining a strong, ecologically sustainable population. A moose population objective defines the number of moose desired in a broader area – the Cervid Ecological Zone – and the distribution of that number across Wildlife Management Units. These objectives are set by examining ecological and socioeconomic considerations (e.g. habitat, Aboriginal and treaty rights, cultural values and traditions). In addition to the development of new moose populations, and in response to input during Phase 1 engagement efforts and consultation, a broad range of factors potentially affecting moose populations will be reviewed, including: Habitat, Predation, Parasites, Harvest, and Climate Change. Actions which may be considered for future proposal could include a range of items such as changes to wolf/coyote seal requirements and reducing hunting pressure to protect moose by limiting access or closing some areas to hunting. MNRF is interested in working together, in a manner that is respectful of existing Aboriginal and treaty rights, to ensure a healthy and resilient moose population in Ontario. There will be further opportunities for Aboriginal peoples to be informed and engaged as Moose Project discussions continue, and MNRF is committed to meeting any obligations to consult and accommodate that may arise. MNRF invites those interested in providing preliminary input on the development of new moose population objectives and potential management actions related to the five topic areas above, or any other factors of concern to the contact listed in this notice or mooseproject@ontario.ca. Note: MNRF is not advancing any specific policy proposals at this time. Any policy or regulatory changes will be subject to subsequent proposal postings on the Environmental Registry for comment at a later date. Purpose of the Notice: To advise the public that MNRF is initiating Phase 2 of Ontario’s Moose Project to review the range of factors potentially affecting moose in Ontario to determine possible management actions moving forward. Other Information: The following web links provide additional supporting information: • Factors that Affect Moose Survival - https://www.ontario.ca/page/factors-affect-moose-survival • Ontario’s moose management policies - www.ontario.ca/moose • Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary - www.ontario.ca/hunting • Moose Project Phase 1 decision notice - www.ontario.ca/environmentalregistry and search 012-3413 Other Public Consultation Opportunities: MNRF will conduct public consultation on any subsequent proposed policy or regulatory changes associated with Phase 2 of the Moose Project through postings on the Environmental Registry at a later date. Contact: Wildlife Section PUBLIC INPUT COORDINATOR Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Policy Division Species Conservation Policy Branch Wildlife Section 300 Water Street Peterborough Ontario K9J 8M5 Phone: (705) 755-1940 Fax: (705) 755-2901

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Log Haul Red Squirrel Road

INFORMATION

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT EACOM TIMBER CORPORATION WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THEIR CONTRACTOR WILL BE ACTIVELY HAULING LOGS AND TO CONTINUE TO MOVE HEAVY EQUIPMENT USING THE RED SQUIRREL ROAD BEGINNING ON JULY 13, 2015 FOR AN ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF FIVE DAYS.

HAULING AND MOVEMENT OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT COULD BE 24 HOURS PER DAY.

PLEASE FORWARD YOUR INQUIRIES TO KYLE AIRD, WOODLANDS MANAGER, ELK LAKE WOODLANDS AT 705-678-2120 EXT. 222

WE ENCOURAGE ALL THAT USE THIS ROAD TO DO SO WITH EXTREME CAUTION.