EBR Registry Number: 012-2835 Title: Provincial Bait Policy Review - Bait Use and Commercial Harvest in Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Ministry: Ministry of Natural Resources Date Proposal loaded to the Registry: November 05, 2014 Keyword(s): Fish and Wildlife | Water | Protected Areas | Parks | Conservation Comment Period: 44 days: submissions may be made between November 05, 2014 and December 19, 2014. 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 5 topics being addressed by the policy review: 1) Angler Use and Movement; 2) Parks and Protected Areas; 3) Commercial Sales 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. 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. For the purposes of this policy review, protected areas refer to provincial parks and conservation reserves regulated under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act (PPCRA). These protected areas cover about 9% of the province. Recreational fishing is enjoyed by many visitors to these areas, with about 9% of park anglers reporting the use of live baitfish or leeches. About 8% of the area currently available for commercial bait harvest in the province is within provincial parks and conservation reserves. MNRF is evaluating potential options relating to the following six aspects of the use of bait and commercial harvest in provincial parks and conservation reserves: 1) The use of commercially harvested bait for angling 2) The use of personally harvested bait for angling 3) Commercial harvest of bait 4) Storage of commercially harvested bait 5) A timeline for phasing out commercial bait harvest in protected areas where this activity is not allowed 6) Where to apply policy options within protected areas 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 use and commercial harvest of bait in provincial parks and conservation reserves. 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 your preferences. The survey can be found at the following link: https://surveymonkey/s/BSQ578H If you do not wish to complete the survey, the same information about the policy options that is included in the survey can be found at the following link: apps.mnr.gov.on.ca/public/files/er/Policy_Options_for_Bait_Management_in_Provincial_Parks_and_Conservation.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 Bait use and harvest in provincial parks and conservation reserves addresses topic two of five. Other bait policy review topics will be addressed in separate postings, including: angler use and movement; commercial sale, harvest and transport, and; reporting and allocation. Feedback on the options will assist with the update and development of new policies for bait management in Ontario. A Review of Bait Use and Harvest in Ontario’s Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves: This report summarizes information on existing policies and activities related to the use of bait for angling and commercial bait harvest in protected areas. apps.mnr.gov.on.ca/public/files/er/review-of-bait-use-and-harvest-in-ont-protected-areas-2013.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. 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. apps.mnr.gov.on.ca/public/files/er/the-introduction-and-spread-of-aquatic-invasive-species-through-the-recrreational-use-of-bait.pdf Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_06p12_e.htm Public Consultation: This proposal has been posted for a 44 day public review and comment period starting November 05, 2014. If you have any questions, or would like to submit your comments, please do so by December 19, 2014 to the individual listed under Contact. Additionally, you may submit your comments on-line. All comments received prior to December 19, 2014 will be considered as part of the decision-making process by the Ministry of Natural Resources if they are submitted in writing or electronically using the form provided in this notice and reference EBR Registry number 012-2835. 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. Other Public Consultation Opportunities: As part of the Provincial Bait Policy Review, policy options relating to angler use and movement of bait are posted on the Environmental Registry for public comment. ER# 012-2836 Policy options have been developed in consultation with a Bait Review Advisory Group (BRAG) comprised of 13 provincial stakeholders with an interest in bait management. BRAG will continue to be engaged throughout the bait policy review process. Aboriginal communities and provincial treaty organizations have been informed of the policy review and invited to comment. Direct written notice of the policy review was sent to stakeholders and other interested groups and individuals. MNRF will seek additional public comment on proposed bait policies in future, as appropriate. Contact: All comments on this proposal must be directed to: Karen Hartley Senior Protected Areas Ecologist Ministry of Natural Resources Policy Division Natural Heritage, Lands and Protected Spaces Branch Parks and Protected Areas Policy Section 300 Water Street Peterborough Ontario K9J 8M5 Phone: (705) 755-5107 Fax: (705) 755-1701 To submit a comment online, click the submit button below:
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 21:05:26 +0000
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