MNR FMZ 11 Management Plan
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DRAFT Management Plan for FMZ 11 – March 7, 2018 Management Plan Fisheries Management Zone 11 Draft Version 7 March 7, 2018 Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry i DRAFT Management Plan for FMZ 11 – March 7, 2018 Cette publication hautement spécialisée {name of publication in English} n'est disponible qu'en anglais conformément au Règlement 671/92, selon lequel il n’est pas obligatoire de la traduire en vertu de la Loi sur les services en français. Pour obtenir des renseignements en français, veuillez communiquer avec le ministère des Richesses naturelles et des Forêts au [email protected] ou (705) 475-5520. This highly specialized publication (name) is available in English only in accordance with Regulation 671/92, which exempts it from translation under the French Language Services Act. To obtain information in French, please contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry at [email protected] or (705) 475-5520. ii DRAFT Management Plan for FMZ 11 – March 7, 2018 Fisheries Management Zone 11 Management Plan Encompassing Portions of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Administrative Districts of North Bay, Kirkland Lake, Sudbury, Parry Sound and Pembroke. I certify that this plan has been prepared using the best available science and is consistent with accepted fisheries management principles. I further certify that this plan is consistent with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry strategic direction, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Statement of Environmental Values and direction from other sources. Thus, I recommend this fisheries management plan be approved for implementation. Recommended by: ____________________________________________________ Mitch Baldwin, North Bay District Manager (Date) Recommended by: ____________________________________________________ Deb Weedon, Regional Resources Section Manager (Date) Approved by: _________________________________________________________ Corrinne Nelson, Regional Director, Northeast Region (Date) iii DRAFT Management Plan for FMZ 11 – March 7, 2018 Executive Summary The management plan for Fisheries Management Zone 11 (FMZ 11) is intended to outline the status of the fisheries in the zone, describe management objectives and provide direction for management actions. Fisheries management planning is a key component of the Ecological Framework for Fisheries Management (EFFM) in Ontario. The EFFM is an operational framework that provides the building blocks for improving the way recreational fisheries are managed in Ontario. Fisheries management planning is consistent with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s (MNRF) current strategic directions outlined in Our Sustainable Future, Horizons 2020, and the goals and objectives of the Ontario Biodiversity Strategy. It is also aligned with the fisheries policy principles stated in the Ontario’s Provincial Fish Strategy – Fish for the Future. The plan’s goals, objectives, successes and future direction will be reviewed, as information from subsequent cycles of the Broad-scale Monitoring (BsM) program becomes available. The plan identifies monitoring that will take place to ensure that progress is being made towards meeting the management objectives and targets. The plan is a dynamic document designed to be flexible and adaptable to a wide range of future conditions and will be amended as required, with assistance from the Advisory Council and Indigenous Communities. Purpose and Scope of the Plan The FMZ 11 Management Plan was developed by the MNRF with input and advice from the FMZ 11 Advisory Council which is made up of a group of anglers, stakeholders, researchers, scientists and interested community members. Input and advice was also received through consultation with Indigenous communities with interests on the FMZ landscape. The planning area extends from Temiskaming Shores in the north to Trout Creek and the northern boundary of Algonquin Park in the south. The eastern boundary is the Ottawa River south of Mattawa and extends west to Highway 69, south of the French River (Figure 1). The fisheries management plan identifies management strategies and actions to meet goals and objectives. The intent of the plan is to assist the MNRF in balancing the demands placed on the resource with the biological capacity of the supporting ecosystems. This balance is based on analysis of fisheries data and collaborative discussions with members of the public, government and partner agencies, Indigenous communities and non- governmental agencies. Goal Statements: • Fish Populations: Manage for the improvement of fisheries, including healthy natural fish populations, beyond a minimally sustainable condition, enhance harvest and recreational usage while providing a safe food source. • Aquatic Ecosystems: While minimizing the risk of invasive species, maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems and restore damaged aquatic ecosystems. • Education: Improve the general public’s respect for natural resources, their awareness of ethical practices around aquatic ecosystems and their knowledge of regulatory principles and practices. iv DRAFT Management Plan for FMZ 11 – March 7, 2018 • Socio-Economic: Provide diverse ways for users to experience and interact with resources and promote a fair valuation of the resources so that there is a broad appreciation of the socio-economic benefits that resources furnish. Management Objectives: • To increase or maintain fish abundance • To develop a habitat protection and restoration strategy • To increase public awareness of fisheries management • To work with partners to provide sustainable fishing opportunities • To prevent the arrival, establishment and/or spread of non-native and invasive species. The management plan is comprised of a series of broad management strategies that reflect management priorities within the FMZ, and each strategy identifies the management issues, challenges or opportunities, the status, the associated objectives and management actions. Specifically, these broad strategies include: • Management of Walleye, Lake Trout, Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Brook Trout, Northern Pike and Muskellunge • Fish stocking • Ecosystem changes • Fish habitat • Water levels. Walleye Management The existing Walleye regulations (four fish, none between 43cm and 60cm, not more than one over 60cm) initiated in 2008 were forecast to achieve the Walleye population objectives. The decision was to retain the current recreational angling regulation and to continue to review the status of Walleye using BsM information, to determine the need for future management actions to meet plan objectives. Lake Trout Management The status of natural Lake Trout waters in FMZ 11 is of particular concern given that many have been characterized for decades as unhealthy with low abundance. The objectives for Lake Trout are to increase abundance of Lake Trout, more specifically, adult female Lake Trout by modifying the fall Lake Trout season to close Labour Day versus the present September 30 closure. The proposed regulation change will also include a size restriction on natural lakes. Further, a separate size restriction exception is proposed for Lake Temagami due to the unique growth rates of its Lake Trout population. Listed below are the current regulations, preferred option and alternative options for Lake Trout: v DRAFT Management Plan for FMZ 11 – March 7, 2018 * Regulation change; (S) – sports licence; (C) – conservation licence Items Current Option 1 – Preferred Option 2 Option 3 Season Feb 15-3rd Sunday in * Feb 15-3rd Sunday in March; * Feb 15-3rd Sunday in * Feb 15-3rd Sunday in March; 3rd Saturday in May 3rd Saturday in May – Labour March; 3rd Saturday in March; 3rd Saturday in - Sept 30 Day May - August 31 May - August 31 Catch 2 (S) 2 (S) 2 (S) *1 (S) 1 (C) 1 (C) 1 (C) 0 (C) Size None * 1-over 40cm (S); 0-over 40cm (C) Obabika LT closed all year; * Season as above; Lake 0 possession limit 1/0 possession limit Cut and Fish Sanctuary - no fishing * Fish Sanctuary - no fishing McConnell from Jan. 1 - Apr. 30 and from Jan. 1 - Friday before 3rd Lakes Oct. 1 - Dec 31. Live fish Sat in May and Tuesday after may not be used as bait. Labour Day - Dec 31. Live fish may not be used as bait. Put-Grow Catch: 2 (S); 1 (C) Season and catch as proposed and Take above; Lakes No size restriction Lake Catch: 2 (S); 1 (C) Season and catch as proposed Temagami above; * Size exception: 1-over 45cm (S); 0-over 45cm (C) vi DRAFT Management Plan for FMZ 11 – March 7, 2018 Brook Trout The losses of natural and stocked Brook Trout lakes in FMZ 11 and northeastern Ontario are thought to be significant and, in many cases, are due to introduced species of fish either intentionally or carelessly via baitfish use. The inability to compete with introduced species and their dependence on up-welling, coldwater springs have made them very susceptible to decline and to local extirpation. Regulations presently in place are designed to make these fisheries more resilient to introductions while improving fishing quality. The proposed regulation in the draft plan retains the present season, catch and size restriction on natural/diversionary lakes with a proposed change to a live baitfish ban. As proposed, the “Additional Zone 11 fishing opportunities” size restriction will be removed and a restriction on the use of live baitfish is proposed for implementation on these waters as well. Listed below are the current regulations, preferred option and alternative