Wildlife & Fisheries Branch Report 2017 – 01 Waterhen Lake Fisheries Management Plan Geoff Klein & William Galbraith Conservation & Water Stewardship 2017 1 FOREWORD The purpose of the Waterhen Lake Fisheries Management Plan is to identify the main objectives and requirements for the commercial fishery, as well as the management measures that will be used to achieve these objectives. This document also serves to communicate the basic information on the fishery and its management to Manitoba Sustainable Development staff, members of the Lake Waterhen Fishermen’s Association, Skownan First Nation and other stakeholders/ resource users. This management plan provides a common understanding of the basic “concepts” for the sustainable management of the fisheries resource. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction ………..…………………………………………………… Page 4 2. Fishery Objectives ………………………………………………............ Page 4 3. Priority of Allocation …..……………………………………………….. Page 5 4. Governance …………..…………………………………………………. Page 6 4.1 Legislative/Regulations/Policies …………………………………….… Page 6 4.2 Enforcement/Compliance ……………………………………………… Page 7 4.3 Precautionary Approach …………………………………………….... Page 7 5. Overview …………….…………………………………………………. Page 8 5.1 Location ……………………………………………………………….. Page 8 5.2 Participants …………..…………………………………………………. Page 8 5.2.1 Communities …………………………………………………….. Page 8 5.2.2 Sustenance ……………………………………………………… Page 9 5.2.3 Commercial Fishers ……..……………………………………... Page 9 5.2.4 Commercial Tourism ……………………………………………. Page 9 5.2.5 Recreational Anglers ……………………………………………. Page 9 5.3 Type(s) of Fisheries ………………………………………..………...… Page 10 5.4 Commercial Fishing ……………………………………………………. Page 10 5.4.1 History ........................................................................................ Page 10 5.4.2 Fish Species ……………………………………………………. Page 12 5.4.3 Fishing Regulations ……………………………………………. Page 12 5.4.4 Fishing Methods ……………………………………………….. Page 13 5.4.5 Landings & Values …………………………………………… Page 14 6. Management …………………………………………………………… Page 17 6.1 Management Measures …………………………………………………. Page 17 6.1.1 Data Collection …………………………………………………. Page 17 6.2 Harvest Strategy ……………………………………………………….. Page 19 6.2.1 Target Species ………………………………………………….. Page 20 6.2.1.1 Walleye ……………………………………………….... Page 20 6.2.1.2 Northern Pike ................................................................. Page 29 6.2.2 Retained By-Catch ......................................................................... Page33 6.2.2.1 White Sucker................................................................... Page 33 6.3 Allocation & Access ……………………………………………………. Page 33 6.4 Regulatory Controls …………………………………………………….. Page 34 6.5 Compliance Monitoring ………………………………………………… Page 35 6.6 Introductions & Transfers ........………………………………………… Page 35 6.7 Stocking ……………………………………………………………….. Page 36 6.8 Other …………………………………………………………………… Page 36 7. Research …………………………………………………………………… Page 37 8. Species-At-Risk ………………………………………………………… Page 38 9. Performance Review ……………………………………………………. Page 38 9.1 Management Plan Evaluation Criteria ………………………………….. Page 38 9.2 Annual (Post Season) Review…………………………………………… Page 39 9.3 External Review Process ………………………………………………. Page 40 3 1. Introduction The Waterhen Lake Fisheries Management Plan was developed to effectively manage the fisheries resource of Waterhen Lake. The plan sets out an approach to ensure the resource is protected and conserved, provides social/economic benefits to local communities, and ensures the long-term sustainability of the fisheries resource. The plan will be reviewed and evaluated on an annual basis by Manitoba Sustainable Development (Wildlife and Fisheries Branch); Lake Waterhen Fishermen’s Association; and if applicable, Chief and Council of the Skownan First Nation; and other pertinent resource users/stakeholders, such as recreational angler groups/ associations, commercial tourism lodge operators and outfitters, etc. The plan integrates applicable federal and provincial legislation, policies and regulations, and recognizes existing constitutionally protected Aboriginal fishing rights to domestic/subsistence fishing, and by-laws under the Constitution of the Lake Waterhen Fishermen’s Association. Manitoba Sustainable Development (Wildlife and Fisheries Branch) retains the right to make decisions in the best interest of conservation and the fishery resource. 2. Fishery Objectives The mandate of Manitoba Sustainable Development (Wildlife and Fisheries Branch) is to meet its Public “Trust” obligations by ensuring the rational, orderly use of our fisheries resource within the resource’s capacity to produce harvestable surplus. In achieving this mandate the goals are to: ensure “No Net Loss” of quality and quantity of fish habitats; ensure that adequate supply exists to meet Constitutional obligations for Indigenous peoples to fish for food; have sustainable community supported fishery management strategies; provide a diversity of angling opportunities; provide consistent, professional, high quality service to our clients and recommendations to elected decision makers; and facilitate public participation in resource management and decision making process. Manitoba Sustainable Development (Wildlife and Fisheries Branch) will strive to manage the Waterhen Lake commercial gillnet fishery based on the following objectives: 1. The fishery must be conducted in a manner that does not lead to over-fishing or depletion of the harvested populations and, for those populations that are depleted the fishery must be conducted in a manner that demonstrates activities leading to stock recovery. 2. Fishing operations (commercial, recreational and domestic/subsistence) should allow for the maintenance of the structure, productivity, function and diversity of the ecosystem (including 4 habitat and associated dependent and ecologically related species) on which the fishery depends. 3. The fishery is subject to an effective management system that incorporates applicable federal and provincial legislation, policies and regulations and operational frameworks that require use of the resource to be responsible and sustainable. To achieve and maintain these objectives, decisions made under this management plan will be based upon the following principles: Fish Habitat - Healthy aquatic ecosystems / fish habitat is a prerequisite to healthy fish stocks. Public Trust - Fish stocks are “natural capital” and represent a public “trust” managed by Manitoba on behalf of all Manitobans. Biological sustainability – Sustainability of fish stocks is paramount for long-term industry viability. Pre-cautionary Principle - Fish management decisions and actions, whose impacts are not entirely certain but which, on reasonable and well informed grounds appear to pose serious threats to either the economy, the environment, human health or social well being will be anticipated, mitigated and prevented as avoidance of serious threats to the fishery is less costly than rehabilitating a collapsed fish stock. Integrated Management - Consultation with government agencies, development proponents, fishers and the public will enhance awareness and understanding and the efficiency of fisheries management. Tenure - Individual allocations and tenure of access right will reduce over-capitalization and facilitate fishery rationalization. Fairness - Where adjustments to tenure or reallocation to another use or user is necessary, a fair process will facilitate transition to a desired state. 3. Priority of Allocation Without healthy fish stocks, social, cultural and economic benefits accrued through harvesting activities may not be achieved and challenge the long-term sustainability of the fisheries resource. Therefore, sound fisheries management is needed in allocation decisions with conservation of these resources being the primary objective. Allocation of provincial fisheries resources needs to recognize and consider many factors in balancing and determining priorities. While under some situations this may require reductions in harvesting activities by specific resource users, other situations may warrant a more equitable distribution. During the decision-making process government is obligated to give preference to 5 Indigenous rights holders but must take into consideration a measured approach that may require limits on harvesting activities if there is legitimate justification. Recognizing the history and economic importance of the various fisheries sectors to other groups in society may represent valid reasons for allowing broader access to the resource and for placing some measure or restriction on Aboriginal harvesting rights. The situation in each case is to ensure that Aboriginal interests are given first priority and any measures applied to those rights be justified on the basis of important social policies. 4. Governance 4.1. Legislation/Regulations/Polices The Government of Canada, under the authority of the Fisheries Act (Canada), retains ultimate legal authority and responsibility for fish and fish habitat conservation matters. However, the daily management and administration of federal fisheries regulations has effectively been delegated to Manitoba officials: The Minister of Sustainable Development, the Director of the Wildlife and Fisheries, and fishery officers employed by Manitoba. Under the Manitoba Fishery Regulations (Canada), the Minister of Sustainable Development and Director of the Wildlife and Fisheries Branch have been given the authority to vary close times,