Native commercial fishermen can now fish in Colpoys Bay and Owen Sound Bay.
It’s part of a new five year agreement between the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation announced yesterday.
Under previous deals — native fishermen were not allowed to fish the inner waters of Owen Sound and Colpoys Bay year round and the outer bays during peak times for recreational angling and boating.
But now beginning April 26th — native fishermen will have greater access to these waters and fish year round.
That is expected to increase tensions between native and non native fishermen.
The Bruce Peninsula Sportsmen’s Association is concerned about damage to the sports fishery and wonders who will watch over First Nations fishermen.
The Ministry of Natural Resources says in a news release their officers and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation will monitor the situation to make sure both commercial and recreational anglers can safely co-exist while maintaining a sustainable fishery.
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Quotes from News Release about the agreement.
“This agreement represents Ontarios ongoing commitment to working with First Nations to sustainably manage our shared resources. The SON agreement recognizes the importance of both commercial fishing and recreational activities, such as angling and boating, and will provide certainty and clarity on the management of fisheries in the Bruce Peninsula area.
David Orazietti, Minister of Natural Resources
Ontario is continuing to work with First Nations in a spirit of mutual respect and understanding. Agreements like this one are significant in advancing the provinces relationship with individual communities so that First Nations can participate in the management of natural resources.
David Zimmer, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
The new agreement continues to build on the progress that SON and MNR have made since Jones and Nadjiwon was decided in 1993. SON looks forward to continuing its work with Ontario and other government agencies to ensure that the waters and lands that support our fisheries are protected for future generations. This agreement is a true milestone in our relationship.
Chief Randall Kahgee, Saugeen First Nation
SON looks forward to implementing the fishing agreement. The agreement sets a new and innovative standard for government-to-government relations. It demonstrates what can be achieved through good-faith negotiations based on mutual trust and respect.
Chief Scott Lee, Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation
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MNR News Release
The Ontario government and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) have reached a new substantive commercial fishing agreement in some of the waters of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay around the Bruce Peninsula. This agreement will be in effect from Feb. 25, 2013, to Feb. 25, 2018.
Former Supreme Court justice Frank Iacobucci was retained by the government to facilitate discussions between the parties. On Aug. 23, 2011, SON and Ontario signed a framework agreement that established a process for the negotiation and subsequent signing of a new commercial fishing agreement.
The new agreement:
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Provides clarity and certainty about how SONs sustenance commercial fishing right will be exercised.
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Means all commercial fishing conducted by SON will take place in a sustainable manner, based on sound science and the collaborative setting of total allowable catch (TAC).
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Recognizes the importance of protecting and conserving the fishery.
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Identifies the specific waters where commercial fishing will occur, including a time frame for SON to resume commercial fishing in Owen Sound and Colpoys Bay.
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Sets out processes for monitoring, assessment, information sharing, and determining sustainable harvest limits.
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Enhances economic development opportunities for SON.
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Establishes a cooperative approach to compliance.
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Commits both parties to effective public education and communications.
The new agreement does not:
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Address fishing for food, social or ceremonial purposes.
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Change recreational fishing regulations.
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Change where recreational fishing activity can occur.
Fishing in Owen Sound and Colpoys Bay
These bays are important areas for both recreational users and the two First Nations. They provide sheltered waters for sailing and for small vessels to safely fish for both recreational and commercial purposes. Under the terms of this new agreement, commercial fishing will resume in Owen Sound and Colpoys Bay on April 26, 2013 and continue year round over the term of the agreement.
MNR and SON will monitor commercial fishing and recreational use in the bays and will meet in October 2013 to make sure that both commercial and recreational anglers can continue to safely coexist, while maintaining a sustainable fishery.
A number of measures will be in place to allow commercial and recreational activities to safely coexist in these waters:
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Nets will be marked in an effective and standard manner that will be communicated to all recreational boaters.
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Nets will be no longer than 300 metres to maximize marker visibility and facilitate safe passage for recreational boaters.
In addition, the following new measure will be implemented in order to mitigate the unintended harvest of trout and salmon:
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Nets set in the bays will have a mesh size of 4.5 inches or greater.
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Nets in the Bays shall be a maximum height of 50 meshes.
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During March, April, October and November, commercial fishers will make best efforts not to set nets for commercial catch within a one-kilometre radius of the mouths of Bothwells Creek, Colpoys Creek, Waterton Creek, Keefers Creek and Gleason Brook in order to protect spawning salmon and rainbow trout.
Area of the Agreement
The agreement covers waters surrounding the Bruce Peninsula from Point Clark in the main basin of Lake Huron to the international border and around the Bruce Peninsula into Georgian Bay to Craigleith. This area is recognized by SON as its traditional waters.