The Manitoba government has completed a successful round of quota buy-back from commercial fishers on Lake Winnipeg and based on the results of recent consultations, will implement new minimum mesh sizes for commercial fishers and new limits on the size of fish that can be kept by anglers to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the Lake Winnipeg fishery, Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires announced May 7th.
“Our government is committed to ensuring the sustainability of both the commercial and recreational fisheries while providing a strong foundation for shared management of our natural resources,” Squires said. “In order to ensure the sustainability of our lakes and support long-term economic growth, we must recognize and respect the science as part of our decision-making process.”
Voluntary buyback a success!
In March, the province announced the option of voluntary individual quota entitlement buyback for commercial fishers designed to relieve pressure on fish stocks in Lake Winnipeg. That buyback is now complete and the province was able to come to terms for the purchase of 126 individual quota entitlements from 90 fishers, representing almost 525,000 kilograms of fish. The total value of quota sold back to the province is almost $5.5 million. Fishers were paid $4 dollars per pound for north basin quota, $5 per pound for channel quota and $6 per pound for South Basin quota.
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Green is the real gold on Lake Winnipeg!
Mesh size change less than expected
The province has consulted with commercial fishers and will be implementing a new minimum mesh size of three and one-half inches (in.) in the South Basin and channel areas, beginning with the spring 2020 commercial fishing season. The original consultation proposal was a minimum mesh size of three and three-quarter in. to take effect in fall 2019. The minimum mesh size and timing of these changes is a result of recent consultations and input from commercial fishers and industry stakeholders.
There will be no change to the current three and three-quarter in. minimum mesh size on the north basin. Changes will be implemented for anglers as well. Starting April 1, 2020, a walleye or sauger must be a minimum length of 35 centimetres to be kept if they are caught in Lake Winnipeg, the Winnipeg River below the Pine Falls dam, Red River below the Lockport Dam or Saskatchewan River below the Grand Rapids dam.
According to a Winnipeg Free Press article written by Bill Redekop, which was published May 8th, some of the commercial fishers are unhappy with the decision.
Some south basin commercial fishers not happy!
“That’s not going to fly,” said Kris Isfeld, a commercial fisher based out of Winnipeg Beach. “Not a single commercial fisher will agree to that.”
Fishers will have to replace their nets at a cost of several thousand dollars, and see their harvest shrink at the same time because more fish will pass through. “None of us have those nets. We’d have to go buy all new nets,” Isfeld said.
Bill Buckels, who fishes out of Gimli, was also disappointed with the announcement. “That’s not going to sit well with the guys here in Gimli,” he said.
Stakeholder meeting Thursday
Stakeholders are meeting this Thursday with government to discuss the management of Lake Winnipeg.
South and North Basin commercial fishers as well as the Channel fishers will all be given time. Sustainable Development, Tourism and the Lake Winnipeg Angler stakeholder group will also give presentations.