|
.....'GARY FOX ANNOUNCES $40,000 FOR BAY OF QUINTE WALLEYE STUDY' Gary Fox, MPP for Prince Edward Lennox and South Hastings has announced $40,000 on behalf of the Minister of Natural Resources John Snobelen, to help estimate the walleye population in the Bay of Quinte and Eastern Lake Ontario. Funding is provided through the Fish and Wildlife Enhancement and Protection Fund. "Walleye are highly sought after by resident anglers and tourists every year as a prized catch" Mr. Fox said. " This study is vital to the management of this important fishery, and demonstrates our government’s commitment to resource management and anglers." Minister Snobelen credits Mr. Fox for ensuring the project was approved. "Mr. Fox, as a member of the government’s MNR Caucus, played an important role in reviewing all the approved projects" Minister Snobelen said "He has always been a vocal supporter of the angling community and this project demonstrates that fact." Walleye are experiencing rapid changes in the Bay of Quinte environment in response to a number of factors. This study will give fishery managers information to better manage the walleye population. Sandra Orsatti, MNR Manager for Lake Ontario, says that "the results of this study, along with information from other assessment projects conducted at the Glenora Fisheries Station, will be used to support the management of walleye to provide ongoing benefits for the areas’ major resource users." This study will provide an estimate of the number of walleye that live in the Bay of Quinte. As part of the study over 12,000 walleye have been marked. By using statistical techniques, the recaptured marked fish enable biologists to estimate the number of fish in the population. Anglers who catch walleye with an orange tag, are asked to help the study by removing the tag and sending it to the Glenora Fisheries Station with information on the date and location of capture. The Ontario Commercial Fisheries Association are funding partners in this study and local commercial fishermen are participating by helping live trap and mark fish. The Fish and Wildlife Enhancement Fund is part of a ten million dollar, three year program to enhance fish and wildlife management in Ontario. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Gary Fox Alastair Mathers MPP, Prince Edward - Lennox - South Hastings Management Biologist 1-613-967-1565 Lake Ontario Management Unit 1-800-267-3178 613- 476-8733
|
