 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
VOLUME 24 NO. 07 September 2005
THINGS TO REMEMBER!! Turkey Shoot. Sunday September 18 th, 1:00 pm. 22’s, shotguns, novelties, cowboy action shooting and pie shoots. 2006 Memberships will be on sale at our October General Meeting. THE PRESIDENTS CORNER It ’ s hard to believe but September is just around the corner, and by the time this newsletter gets published the Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular will be well underway. Many of us will find ourselves out there on the bay fishing for that big one or working hard at the site to make this event the biggest and best Derby yet. On behalf of our members and the many people who enjoy this event I would like to thank the hundreds of hard working Sydenham Sportsman ’ s Association members, OSSS committee members, volunteers, sponsors, and media who work so diligently to make this such a special and enjoyable fall Festival. The financial success of this derby goes along way to help fund the many fish stocking and conservation projects the SSA undertakes every year. Your support is very much appreciated. In the next few weeks many of us we will be cleaning up the decoys, patterning our shotguns and fixing up our blinds in preparation for Goose, Duck and Partridge seasons which are about to open in September. This is probably one of my favourite seasons, however I can ’ t stress strongly enough to play it safe. Remember your firearm safety and when on the water, wear your PFD ’ s. Lets make this a safe and happy Fall. Bill Douglas, President . NATIVE AFFAIRS The commercial fishing agreement between the Cape Croker band, the Saugeen band and the MNR has been signed. (see MNR news release). Even though the local MNR staff gave us as much information as they could during the negotiations, these negotiations were conducted in secrecy and the agreement was a done deal before the MNR met formally with us. We had made our concerns known to the MNR by letter, by phone calls, via the OFAH and by one face-to-face questioning of the Minister. Minister Ramsey assured us that the bays would be protected so much for political promises. A new Chief has been elected at Cape Croker and the OFAH has contacted both this new Chief and Chief Vern Root of the Saugeen band for meetings. A meeting has been set up with Chief Root, but there has been no reply from Chief Nadjiwan of Cape Croker. The following is apart of a native affairs presentation given at the recent OFAH Zone H meeting: Top level MNR head office Fish & wildlife staff met with the Grey/Bruce Conservation Coalition on July 12th to discuss the 2005 native fishing agreement. As well as coalition members, the OFAH was represented by Mike Reader and Greg Farrant, and the political interest was served by MPP Bill Murdoch and MP Paul Steckle. Cam Mack, head of MNR's Fish & Wildlife section, gave a synopsis of some of the agreement. In short, the agreement is for five years. There has been a very significant movement of the no-gillnetting line into Owen Sound and Colpoys Bay. (see attached map). Please note that in 2004 the province had secretly agreed to permit gillnetting in Owen Sound and Colpoys Bays, much farther into those bays than had been agreed to in 2000. (see attached map). The province stated that: 1) Conservation had not been compromised. 2) No one had objected to the line being moved. . 3) There were no safety problems. The facts: 1) Conservation: How would anyone know that conservation was not harmed? The CO's cannot board boats, check vehicles, check individuals, check books. All that the CO's have for enforcement purposes is buyers' reports. 2) Complaints: Plenty of people did object when they saw gillnets set in areas where they believed such nets were prohibited. Anglers were completely unaware of the Ministry's secret agreement to move the lines. 3) Safety: The MNR was right for 2004- no one drowned by virtue of hooking downriggers or nets. The future may well hold a different outcome if circumstances such as resulted in drowning at Michael's Bay on Manitoulin occur. The MNR stated that the lines had been moved to provide more near-shore opportunities as a safety factor for native gillnetters using small boats. It should be noted that there are obvious solutions that would not require the movement of such lines in order to look after the small boats. It is very obvious that the movement of these lines into the bays has the potential to over harvest salmonids by choking off these bays near-shore rainbow trout moving in and out of both bays would be particularly vulnerable. Lake trout in these bays have been devastated by gillnetting in the past. The new lines make it much more possible for lake trout over harvest to happen again. The MNR stated that there would be no commercial gillnets in that area between the old and new lines during the Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular. There were other areas of concern. The Upper Bruce Peninsula Club (Tobermory) stated that the heavy harvesting in the Tobermory area appears to be depleting the sports fishery around the islands. A matter that concerned many of the Coalition members was nets that are frequently poorly marked or not marked at all. This is a matter not only of safety but of extreme aggravation and expense to anglers losing expensive gear through fouling of nets. The Ministry of Natural Resource stated that they would have information sessions to let Indians know how to mark a net properly. Please note that there was no mention at all of Indians not marking their nets properly as is required by law, and would result in charges against non-Indian fishermen. The new agreement permits movement of the Indian fisheries south on the main basin to Point Clark and east in Georgian Bay over towards Collingwood. This is of considerable concern to the Lake Huron Fishing Club, The Sauble Anglers & Hunters, the East Grey Hunters and Anglers and the Georgian Triangle Anglers. They are quite concerned over gillnetting around stream mouths and previously closed near-shore areas. The MNR was asked how many commercial fishing charges had been laid against Indians gillnetting in waters fronting Grey and Bruce since the year 2000 the answer NONE!! There was general agreement within the Coalition that there is no effective enforcement of the native commercial fishery, such as that considered absolutely necessary for the non-Indian commercial fishery. There was a very strong injunction from Coalition members that effective, efficient enforcement is an absolute necessity. Without it, our sport fishery and the lake fish communities could well be in danger. It was suggested that a joint enforcement program by MNR and native officers would be acceptable to coalition members. This point was made very strongly. Joint enforcement would be a pillar in the Coalition's insistence that enforcement of fishery law in the native gillnet commercial fishery is the Coalition's major concern. It should be noted that the Bruce Peninsula Sportsmen's Association is investigating legal action against the MNR for failure to exercise proper stewardship of the provincial fisheries resources. Bill Murdoch and his office staff presented a very detailed list of local businesses that have been suffering adverse effects from a diminished sports fishery. It was pointed out that the main cause of a damaged fishery is the altered food chain combined with bad-mouthing rumours from those who disagree with such things as the salmon derby. It was further pointed out that the Indian commercial fishing agreement, as it stands, is just one more nail in the sports fishery coffin. It was made very clear that the MNR has shown a complete and utter disregard for Ontario anglers. Agreements in secrecy and failure to manage the fishery for all users has angered anglers. The anglers demand to be kept informed of the contents of any future negotiations regarding the management of the Ontario fishery. The Ministry stated that the Coalition would be supplied with a partial transcript of the agreement. When Coalition members objected to the statement that we could not see the whole agreement, we were told that would be the way it is. We said we would try to see the whole agreement through freedom of information. Mike Reader stated that the OFAH would carry our message to the Minister, and would present our concerns, the main ones being no more secrecy and the adoption of an effective enforcement program. As it stands right now, it is quite safe to say that the MNR has completely lost the trust of the Coalition members. How this can ever be fixed, no one can say. The Cape Croker band has recently elected Paul Nadjiwon as its Chief. The Owen Sound Sun-Times reported that Nadjiwon, as well as Chief Root of the Saugeen band, would be willing to meet with sportsmen. The newspaper further stated that Nadjiwon expressed an interest in joint enforcement. Letters have been written requesting a meeting, but there has been no reply at this time. It was a long meeting with the Ministry and many participating Coalition members made very valid objections about the MNR's failure to represent Ontario angler interests. This summary can only give a small portion of the comments, disappointment, dissatisfaction and outright anger expressed by members. MPP Murdoch was incensed by the MNR's promise to consult about a proposed agreement as well as protection of the bays, and then coming to the meeting with the agreement as a "done deal". We all felt the same sense of having been betrayed. The MNR's attitude was best portrayed by the MNR's own press release. It stated that the agreement was successful and was made to satisfy three parties: MNR, Saugeen and Cape Croker. There was no mention of sportsmen at all. (see attached) Other Items The Anishinabe statements, through their biologist Steven Crawford, that salmon stocking has been detrimental to the lake fishery has been soundly refuted by the OFAH. Terry Quinney and Dave Brown pointed out that Lake Huron, by virtue of lamprey predation and over fishing had, by the 1960's a biomass composed of approximately 90% smelt and alewives. The lake fishery was virtually non-existent. The introduction of salmon suppressed alewife and smelt and allowed the present day, proliferation of whitefish, as well as making possible the beginning of the lake trout recovery. Thanks for the report, Dave and Terry you made a point that sorely needed to be made. The Saskatchewan court recently went beyond the Powley Metis case, and stated that, in effect, there were two widely separated Metis communities that traded back and forth. Not only could each exercise Metis rights on each other's territory, but also in the lands between these two communities. If this is allowed to stand, it could chew up virtually all the lands in Canada. The OFAH is investigating and will make representation to Saskatchewan re appeals. A court decision in New Brunswick found that the Micmacs did not have an unfettered right to cut timber commercially on crown lands. This is a major shift from the native-centered norm that has permeated our courts to the detriment of non-Indian sharing of our natural resources.
For Immediate Release July 13, 2005 ONTARIO AND SAUGEEN OJIBWAYSIGN COMMERCIAL FISH:ERY AGREEMENT FOR WATERSAROUND BRUCE PENINSULA Five-Year Agreement Supports Sustainable Fishery,. Ensures Conservation OWEN SOUND -The Ontario government and the Saugeen Ojibway Nations today announced the signing of a five-year agreement that will manage the commercial fishery in the waters of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay around the Bruce Peninsula. The new agreement -signed by the Ontario Minister of Natural Resources, the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and the Saugeen_First Nation- builds on the historic 2000 agreement that successfully established a coordinated fisheries management approach for the area's waters. "The agreement we are announcing today provides continued certainty for everyone interested in the waters of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron around the Bruce Peninsula, and represents an example of Ontario's ongoing commitment to work with Aboriginal peoples, "said Natural Resources Minister David Ram say. "I am pleased that the three parties will continue working together to promote conservation and sustainability for both the commercial and recreational fisheries." - The agreement establishes a protocol on how the three parties will work together to ensure compliance with the agreement and to exchange data on the fishery. "We've come a long way since the Jones-Nadjiwon decision in 1993 that recognized our Aboriginal and treaty rights to fish commercially. We think this agreement is an important milestone toward an understanding between us and the people of Ontario that there is room for everyone to enjoy their rights in a way that protects the environment," said Ralph Akiwenzie, Chief of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and who was a signatory to the first agreement in 2000. "The success of the first agreement in preserving the fishery is surely a reason for people not to fear this one. Our people are returning to their traditional livelihoods by practising their ancient rights," said Chief Vernon Roote from Saugeen First Nation, formerly Grand Chief of the Union of Ontario Indians. "But we know that with rights come responsibilities. We also intend to assume our ancient responsibilities to look after the resource. Under this agreement, we will do that in partnership with Ontario." The ministry and the two First Nations acknowledge the efforts of Judge Stephen J. Hunter who mediated the negotiations leading up to this agreement. Under the terms of the new agreement, the two First Nations will be responsible for designating community fishers and monitoring the commercial fishery through catch sampling. All assessment data collected by First Nations and ministry biologists and technicians will be shared at a joint biotechnical committee which makes recommendations on safe harvest levels. The First Nations will not use commercial gill nets in the majority of Owen Sound and Colpoy's Bay (inside of the solid line shown on the map below), although they maintain the right to do so. In addition, no commercial fishing will take place in the outer bays (between the solid and dashed lines shown on the map below) from August 1 until Labour Day i~ recognition of increased boat traffic during the popular Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular fish derby. The agreement addresses commercial fishing only and does not seek to regulate the Aboriginal right to fish for food, social or ceremonial purposes.
Contacts: Media calls only: Ginette Albert Minister's Office 416-314-2212 Disponible en fran~ais -30- John Cooper -------------------------------------------------------------- Ministry of Natural Resources 519-371-5934 www .mnr .goy .on.ca Chief Ralph Akiwenzie 519-534-1689 www .saugeenoiibwav .ca Chief Vernon Roote 519-797-2781
FORESTS & WILDLIFE The long, hot summer will have a very negative effect on waterfowl production. The young waterfowl, as well as flightless females, will surely succumb as they did a few years ago under similar circumstances. As well, local woodcock will be almost a complete write-off. Goose numbers appear to be still high, but the fall hunt will tell the tale. Grouse numbers still appear to be well down. Why they have not rebounded in over 20 years is unknown. When you see many, many more deer than grouse, something is badly out of whack. Speaking of deer -they certainly appear to be high in numbers this year. Note that the dry year could have a major influence on what areas they are using come the deer season. An item that should be of great concern to hunters and all lovers of the outdoors is the apparently widespread use of antifreeze as a poison, largely in rural areas, as a control of nuisance wildlife. The biggest problem is that not only the target animal or bird is destroyed, but anything else that comes along dies as well. Setting out a poison is against the law, but the fact of antifreeze being a commonly used substance would make prosecution rather difficult. We have read that governments are going to require antifreeze manufacturers to put something in their product that will deter wildlife from consuming it. Migratory game bird licenses are now on sale at the post offices. The season, bag and possession limit lists are included with the licenses. This year in our area: GOOSE : September 6to 17- bag limit of 8 per day -possession limit of 24 September 24 to October 31st -bag limit of 3 per day -possession limit of 10 November 1 to January 5- bag limit of 5 per day -possession limit of 10 DUCKS : September 24 to December 20- bag limit 6 per day -possession limit 12 (Remember- only one black duck per day and 2 in possession -also, if you happen to be hunting waterfowl around Lakes Erie or St.Clair, be aware of the bag and possession limits of redheads and canvasbacks). WOODCOCK : September 25 to December 20- bag limit of 8 per day -possession limit 16 Lots of luck and much enjoyment for the '05 hunt. Blake Smith. Chairperson Fisheries Advisory Committee Things have gone well. for us over the summer thanks to the planning of our volunteers. After the big construction of the ponds at our hatchery last year our systems have been working smoothly. We still have some construction work to do for our waste management flow under guidelines from the M.O.E. Engineering plans are with the Weaver family for their comments and hopefully work will be completed this fall. The junior rangers under the M.N .R. gave us a couple of days maintenance work at the hatchery ,painting ,cleaning and improving the sediment flow. They also did some stream improvement work on Pringle creek at Peter Hood’s property. Our junior members pitched in to help with our stocking program. Our salmon derby will be another success. The committee has spent many hours making sure that everyone attending the derby, fishing or otherwise ,will have a memorable time, so when you see one of the committee members please say thanks for a job well done. Mike Prevost F.A.C. Chairman Youth Activities Program The Juniors have had a busy July. John McNamara and myself have assumed responsibility for coordinating events after Mary Stephenson took a well deserved rest this year. On Saturday July 16th the Juniors enjoyed a day on the Saugeen river. We put the canoes in at Chesley just as the rain started to come down. The day was spent paddling and fishing our way to Scone and then back to Chesley. The rain started just as we arrived in the morning and a steady rain accompanied us the entire day. The largest fish of the day was an 18 ” , 4+ pound smallmouth bass caught on a silver Mepps by John McNamara. Kyle Phillips challenged it with a somewhat smaller version caught on a yellow jig. Everyone participated in catching a smorgasboard of sunfish, catfish, bass and pike. Thank you to Ken Noble who unselfishly gave of his time to help transport the juniors and spend the day with us on the water. On July 24 th , and again on August 7 th, Bill Thompson and Bill Douglas provided the juniors with an archery lesson at the range. On July 30 th we held a camp out for a night at Doug VanHorne ’ s farm south of Chatsworth. John McNamara and I provided the supervision for the well behaved group. The bugs kept us out of the bush much of the time, but that allowed us to see 3 deer running across an open field. Returning to the tents from a walk we put up the deer from a small stand of trees in the middle of the field. A .22 shoot in the late afternoon started out as a humbling experience when as a group we were 1 for 14 shooting at pop cans from 30 yards (author included). Only after one can fell did we realize there were many hits that did not knock the can over. After dinner a game of “ capture the flag ” and a camp fire until about 1:00 AM finished out the day. The accompanying photo is the falls on Doug ’ s farm. Upcoming Junior events are The Juniors are going to put a float in the Santa Claus parade. Anyone interested in this event should call Steve Lustig (371-6070) or John McNamara (369-3269). I hope to have a couple events during the fall so keep your eyes open in the newsletter for announcements. Steve Lustig and John McNamara Co Chairpersons Youth Activities Program
|
||
© 2001, Sydenham Sportsmen's Association |
