9 www.georgianbay.ca GBA UPDATE Fall 2023 By Lindsay Richards, Bay of Islands Association FISHERIES If you are old enough to remember the drawing of the youth fishing with a stick and string, barefoot, sitting on the shore of a pond, then you are old enough to know that fishing has become more complex for the casual angler. Likewise, the fishing industry, angler organizations, Indigenous peoples, governments, and scientists have a greater challenge today to determine the ethical manner in which to fish. Environmental conservation is key for fishing, just as it is in coastal preservation, removal/control of invasive species, or protecting water quality. Questions, research, opinions, and perspectives abound. Are you a sports angler or do you fish to put food on the table? Do you practice catch-and-release procedures that are safe for the fish? Do you use barbless hooks? Are you aware of federal and provincial government guidelines? Do fish feel pain? If you fish for deep-water fish, are you aware that there is science to indicate that these fish do not survive when released after being brought to the surface? All of these questions and more continue to be monitored in order to generate updated responses. Catch-and-Release Practices The two current schools of thought on catch-and-release practices centre on research and past practices. Neither should be discounted. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry 2023 fishing regulations regarding catch-andrelease require that all fish not destined for the dinner table be released immediately if the angler is over the fish limit for the day, if the fish is caught within a fish sanctuary zone, or if the fish is an endangered or threatened fish species. If photographs and documentation are required, then the caught fish must remain in a water well with an aerator. But the time for handling certain fish species out of the water, how to safely remove a hook, and generally how to handle fish to be released, is often unclear or unknown by anglers who fish in our waters. Scientists and researchers are researching these variables to improve fishing guidelines and practices in the near future. In addition, according to some Indigenous peoples, catchand-release procedures are harmful to fish and can cause premature death when they are returned to the water. They believe that fish should only be caught for consumption, and therefore, catch-and-release practices should be stopped. Accordingly, in some provinces, such as in BC, Indigenous peoples have called on the government to halt all catch-andrelease practices. Further investigation by Indigenous peoples and governments will provide more concrete answers as to the actual efficacy of such a ban. Education is the best remedy at this time for informed fishing practices. Staying up to date with ministry requirements, understanding your responsibilities in following licence requirements, sharing your knowledge about safe fishing practices with others – these basic practices will help you fish with a clear conscience, based on fact and following current regulation. Then you can fish with the satisfaction and relaxation of that young boy with a stick and a string. Fishing Is Complex: Know the Correct Standards and Practices fine dining, waterfront views, luxury amenities and accommodations. 2900 Kellys Road, Port Severn www.rawleyresort.com | 705-538-2272
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