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Province Announces Comprehensive Review of Fisheries

The provincial government will undertake comprehensive action on the sustainability of Manitoba’s fisheries, Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Tom Nevakshonoff announced today.

“For many years, high-quality fisheries have provided food, recreation and jobs for generations of people living near and visiting Manitoba’s lakes,” said Minister Nevakshonoff.  “We agree with SeaChoice in that we need to take action on lakes Winnipeg, Winnipegosis and Manitoba by developing and implementing modern and comprehensive management plans in co-operation with the province’s commercial fishers.  Manitobans have a collective interest in ensuring that fisheries in Manitoba follow best practice.”

Harold Westdal, an economist who has led numerous public policy reviews, has been named as an advisor to the minister to conduct a review.

“I look forward to bringing fishers, local communities, Aboriginal people and other levels of government together to discuss these important issues for Manitoba’s fisheries.  Working together with our scientific community, we will work to provide the best advice to support sustainable fisheries for years to come,” said Westdal.

Westdal will work with commercial fisher representatives, First Nations and other stakeholders including the Lake Friendly Stewards Alliance.  He will work to establish a committee and the development of an action plan for productive fisheries and the ecosystems that sustain them, in line with the recommendations from SeaChoice, the minister said.  He added it is expected meetings will begin at the end of November and continue for several weeks.

Minister Nevakshonoff said the independently led review will engage those with a vested interest in Manitoba’s fisheries.  Considerations will include:

• additional focus on traditional knowledge;
• improved and more collaborative research;
• sustainable growth and jobs that are mainly centred in rural and northern areas;
• recommendations from past assessments of the province’s fisheries;
• best practices in management planning and harvest regimes from other lakes outside of Manitoba that have adopted sustainable practices; and
• regular assessments of ecosystem health and the long-term connections to healthy fish populations.

A report is expected by the summer of 2016, the minister said.

Minister Nevakshonoff noted the province has held more than 50 consultation meetings to advance efforts towards eco-certification for Manitoba’s lakes.  Pre-assessment surveys have been conducted on several lakes and Manitoba has invested $480,000 in resources to support eco-certification efforts in the province.  Tomorrow Now – Manitoba’s Green Plan commits the Manitoba government to work to achieve eco-certification status for the province’s fisheries and to work with fishers to explore new markets and the development of value-added products.

In June 2014, Waterhen Lake, working together with Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship, became the first freshwater lake in the western hemisphere and only the second worldwide to achieve eco-certification from the Marine Stewardship Council.  Other Manitoba fisheries have expressed a strong interest in moving in the same direction, Minister Nevakshonoff said.

“We see the move toward eco-certification as a positive development for Manitoba’s fisheries,” said Chief Cameron Catcheway, Skownan First Nation.  “Our working partnership with the Casinos of Winnipeg provides stable employment for our fishers in an environmentally sustainable fashion.  We have the utmost confidence that Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship can continue to work with communities across Manitoba to develop and implement sustainable fisheries for years to come.”

The minister noted the overall goal is to ensure commercial fishers have continued access to global markets and maintain competitive prices, while also maintaining the long-term health of lakes.

“Today’s assessment has highlighted major sustainability problems with fisheries taking place in Manitoba’s three largest lakes.  We appreciate the government of Manitoba’s quick response to the report and the commitment to addressing the issues with these fisheries,” said Ron Thiessen, executive director, Manitoba chapter, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.  “This will enable a robust assessment of the fisheries, ensuring their long-term sustainability and the health of the lake ecosystems.  We look forward to seeing the resulting comprehensive management action plan.”

“We are pleased with government of Manitoba’s announcement today to launch a sustainable fisheries review,” said Chief Ron Evans, Norway House Cree Nation.  “We have been working at this issue for the last several years and it is critical that we combine our knowledge, our commitment and our resources with the Manitoba government so that all fishers in the entire water system work together to achieve a sustainable and environmentally  responsible marketing and production system.”