LITTLE CURRENT—The main organizer of the highly successful Manitoulin Expositor Salmon Classic is inviting fish and game clubs and salmon fishing enthusiasts to gather at a meeting in October to look at the potential and options for revitalizing the salmon fishery on the south shore of Manitoulin Island.
“A lot of people have approached me since the derby asking if I could facilitate a meeting to look at the potential and options for revitalizing the salmon stock-population on the south shore of the Island,” explained Dave Patterson. “Although salmon fishing was very good this year on the south shore I think it could be better. There have been a lot of people who have approached me with the knowledge that the salmon fishery is not what it was, or will be, with the die-off in 2003.”
“But a lot of people are interested and would like to see some type of supplementary stocking of salmon on the south shore to enhance the salmon fishery,” said Mr. Patterson. He pointed out he took a survey of derby participants. “I received a lot of responses and 99 percent of those were positive to looking at having a program on the south shore. So that’s why we are doing this and holding this meeting to look at the potential and interest of revitalizing the salmon fishery.”
“Obviously it is too late this year for anything to take place, and I am aware there is a (provincial) moratorium on fish stocking on the south shore,” said Mr. Patterson. He explained, however, “there are other ways we can put in place a program to help the salmon fishery. Out west they don’t plant fish, they use Scotty boxes which have better rates of survival, and this form of rearing and raising fish is not considered stocking.”
The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 13 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Mindemoya Community Hall.
