Comparison of the table of fishing equipment for 1962 with that of the 

 previous year shows no significant changes. About 3,000 persons are reported 

 as engaged in the fishing industry at the primary level. Many others are employed 

 either full-time or part-time in processing, packing and shipping the fish and in 

 the supply services. The total investment in the Ontario fishery, again largely at 

 the primary level, amounts to about ten million dollars. Over 1,750 fishing boats 

 were used by the fishery, of which some 1,100 were small outboard-powered 

 craft and canoes. In the more northerly rivers and lakes, large, sturdy canoes, 

 powered by five to ten-horsepower motors, are the usual fishing craft of the 

 fishermen, largely Indians. 



The number of fishing licences issued by the Department in 1962 remained 

 relatively stable at 4,554 with a few increases in some classifications offset by 

 corresponding decreases elsewhere so that the net result was a decrease of nine 

 from 1961. In a few areas where fishing success has been severely reduced by the 

 sea-lamprey, fishermen continue to hold licences and carry out minimum opera- 

 tions with the expectation of a return of better fishing conditions but many of 

 these licencees are by necessity forced to turn to other industry for a part of 

 their income. 



The sea-lamprey control programme, as in 1961, continued to provide hope 

 for success. Reports by the agencies responsible for the lamprey control to the 

 Great Lakes Fishery Commission have indicated an apparent 80% reduction in 

 the numbers of this predator in Lake Superior. The numbers of lake trout able 

 to reach marketable size, as a consequence, have shown some increase. Meanwhile 

 the rate of planting of trout has been increased in an effort to speed up the rehabili- 

 tation of this valuable species. 



During 1962 the first control of lake trout production by a quota system was 

 inaugurated by the Department in response to a request of the Commission. The 

 Commission recommended: 



"that the 1962 harvest of lake trout in Lake Sui>erior be 



limited to the fishing effort required to support necessary 



biological studies and suggested that agencies act to accomplish 



this objective through appropriate procedures available to 



them." 



and the quotas set were based on this recommendation. While reduction in fishing 



effort may result in temporary reduction of lake trout catches it is anticipated 



tliat the result will be beneficial in the long term to the fishery due to more rapid 



recruitment. 



Fluctuations in the yield of the fisheries, both with respect to species and 

 area are of interest. Smelt production rose 48% with an increase of over six 

 million pounds in the Lake Erie fishery. Yellow perch, also due principally to 

 Lake Erie landings, increased 16%. A 42% increase in lake herring is noted 

 with a gain of three-quarters of a million pounds in Lake Superior production. 

 Lake trout taken in the Province was up 14% with increased catch from both 

 Lake Superior and northern inland lakes. Similarly, saugers showed a 24% 

 increase from Lake Superior and the north. Whitefish production, on the other 

 hand, dropped 7% due to sharp decreases in catch from Lake Huron and Lake 

 Ontario, although landings increased 17% in the northern inland area. Chub 

 production, mainly from Lake Huron, decreased 6%. White bass decreased 27% 

 with a drop of a million pounds noted in the Lake Erie figures. Decrease in 

 sturgeon from the main areas of production caused a 32% drop in the Provincial 

 production. 



In summary, a 24% increase in production was seen in Lake Erie and a 



113 



