Quinte Fishing

I was quite interested in what you had wrote regarding being harrassed.

If in fact this is the case there are ways and means to legally defend and deter action that is falsely aimed by MNR enforcement staff. Taking it a step further, if you are serious, get some details out in the open. Very, very doable, and if misdirected by some misdirected staff, this can be handled.

I and a few others heavily involved can become very interested when one hears about this....possibility.

Some people staill belive in justice....
JustinT (silly monicker)

I did contact my local officials about the insodent I spoke off. Mainly it is just natives coming in trying to sell fish. However the one that really ticked me off was they MNR came ( undercover) in ordered a Perch dinner. After finshing they asked to see the owner/manager. I came out they flashed there badges and asked where i got my Perch and Walleye from. I told them both products are frozen and come from one of my suppliers. They asked for proof of purchase as well as to see the product in the walk-in freezer. They also noted that I have fresh fish on weekends during summer mths. Once again I told them I get it from a supplier and proceeded to give them the info the asked for. They then told me if I was to sell fish bought from Natives etc. I would loose my business, home et. I assured them I don't buy from them and appauled at the treatment I am getting from them!. After they left I contacted both MNR herad office aas well As local OPP. A few days later I recieved a call from one of my suppliers in Kingston asking what was going on with the MNR as they had been contacted and had inspectors in his warehouse.

Now think of all the time and resources that were used by doing this. To bad they dont channel some of there effortsand energy on the shore lines in the spring and deal with the real criminals!~

Cheers

I suggest that they could use the type of cooperation you have spoke about, and get more of it ......to seriously cut down on the sale of illegal fish from any source. If they were pushy in any way or form, do not be afriad to go public. Small fish can bite too.
JustinT

C'mon guys, can't have this both ways. We've all been protesting the fact that certain individuals have been trying to sell inedible fish to local restaurants. If the MNR officials were abusive that's one thing, but it sounds to me like they were doing their job, and trying to investigate who might be trying to buy fish on the cheap, without passing proper inspection, from unlicensed suppliers etc. Yes, we need more enforcement on the water, but some of us understand that if you take away the demand (the buyers of these fish) and you're attacking part of the overharvesting problem. We all know a select group of Natives have been going door to door selling fish down there. Let's call a spade a spade.
I say MNR, do your job but be respectful of your constituents.
Cheers,

I agree thye are doing ther jobs. But after reading my post I guess it wasn't clear how ignorant and abusive these people were. I mean really arogant, and rude. They didn't have to do there questioning etc right in the restaurant I afterall do have an office or at the very least in the back away from customers. I was put under fire right infront of the public and had to justify my businees was running legally (quilty then innocent I guess) and after doing so was not given any sort of recognition sor doing so. Hey I'm all for the theory of take away the demand and it will reduce the supply, however the MNR should work with the restaurant industry educating them & or purhaps having a report line or program in effect that we can contact someone and have them there when the poacher is selling. Catch them in the act Then they can have them prosecuted in Federal Court ! Maybe that would deter them?

Cheers

I support in full what you are saying Stenny. There is a way to get the job done that is self respecting. Crossing the line is not acceptable for any public servant.

I am happy that you are able to, or seemingly able to calmly reflect on this. Harnessing the prospective powers of cooperation within a community is an art...... communication is a major weakness on the part of MNR as a whole (note this comment).
JustIce (I like the modification....lol)

Lets all go out Sat and have some fun! And forget about it all isn't that the true meaning of fishin" ..........leaving it all behind

I can't help wonder at the logic being used here by the mnr.Fish are being slaughtered right left and centre by the natives and they are spending their time in a restuarant trying to get evidence on some white guy that they think may be illegally purchasing fish from a native vendor.

how can they in all ------- go after the white folk or any other while this slaughter and waste is taking place.The mnr should be standing up beside the sports fisherman and saying as long as this senseless slaughter is allowed they will not be enforcing the law on others in a discriminatory manner.mnr officers and the agency they work for are to protect our natural resources,not stand bye like our politicians and do nothing.I might remind everyone this is what happened with the cod fishery on the east coast.Now that everything is shut down everyone is scrambling to blame each other.
my position is not to blame anyone but to actively tell the truth and call a spade a spade in hopes of bring change and logic back into a situation that has become a nother political hot potatoe that everyone is trying to run from or make excuses.

I'm sure i speak for many when i say we have no time or interest in playing politics i just want the stupidity to stop and lets get on with a program that protects our fishing industry for all...

Thank you for clarifying and now I understand why you were upset and felt violated. The MNR's actions were unacceptable under those circumstances and obviously they were inconsiderate of your reputation as a business owner who abides by the law. And yes, let's get down to some fishing.
Cheers, Paul