Quinte Fishing

BAY OF QUINTE PLAN TO BENEFIT FISHERY
Fisheries Management Plan Will Improve Health Of Bay Ecosystem
TORONTO — The Ontario government is further protecting the Bay of Quinte’s ecosystem by seeking public input on the development of a Fisheries Management Plan for the area, Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay announced today.

"The Bay of Quinte has seen significant improvement since the start of the remedial action plan in 1986," said Ramsay. "This plan is the next step in that process and we want the public’s input to ensure the plan will benefit the ecosystem and the fish communities over its five-year term."

The first open house, which will review the state of fish communities in the bay, will be held:

Wednesday, December 7, 2005 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Fairfield Inn and Suites, Belleville ( North Front Street at Hwy. 401)
A second set of open houses will be held in late spring 2006 in order to present management options for public comment, with an approved Fisheries Management Plan to be finalized by September 2006.

"This is a great opportunity for the public to help us decide how to manage our fisheries," said Ramsay. "We’ll be building on the tremendous efforts that are helping ensure healthy fish populations in the Bay of Quinte ."

"I encourage local residents and all those interested in the Bay of Quinte’s renowned fishery to get involved in the process," said Ernie Parsons, MPP for Prince Edward-Hastings. "We all have a role to play in taking care of this resource."

The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Bay of Quinte Fisheries Advisory Committee are leading the development of the Bay of Quinte Fisheries Management Plan, which will be in place from 2007 to 2012.

The management plan will be developed with a focus on the Bay of Quinte, but with recognition of its connection to Quinte-area tributaries and to Lake Ontario . This will ensure that fisheries management occurs at an ecosystem level. The plan will review the historical conditions of the Bay of Quinte, document physical attributes, describe existing and future conditions and provide a comprehensive package of recommendations for the management of the fish communities in the bay.

The development of a plan is part of the commitment of Ontario and Canada to restore the natural environments in the Great Lakes under the Canada—Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem (COA). Ontario will be contributing $50,000 under COA towards the development of the plan.
FOR MORE INFORMATION

Media Enquiries
Steve Payne
Communications Services Branch
416-314-2103

General Enquiries
Natural Resources Information Centre
1-800-667-1940
TTY 1-866-686-6072 (Hearing Impaired)

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Dan Elliot - A bad day on Quinte is better than a good day at work !!!
http://www.quintefishing.com