kept as a breeder was calculated as 3.2 per cent, and the 

 mortality from all causes on ranches during the same period 

 was 3.1 per cent. This represents a decrease of 0.3 per cent 

 in production and an increase of 0.7 per cent in mortality as 

 compared to 1969. The apparent natural reproductive de- 

 ficiency of female mink is a matter that should command 

 the attention of the industry and researchers. 



The current demand for long-haired furs for use in the 

 manufacturing of fun-furs has ensured the purchase of the 

 small production of ranch-raised fox pelts at good prices. 

 The United States import duty on fox pelts was reduced to 

 22 per cent ad valorem effective January 1, 1971. A further 

 reduction to 18.5 per cent will be effective January 1, 1972. 



Ontario fur farmers are somewhat concerned with the 

 dwindling supplies of chicken offal which is available to 

 them for mink food. The pet food and rendering companies 

 have bid the price of the offal out of the financial reach of 

 the fur farmer. It would appear that the situation will worsen 

 when existing contracts held by fur farmers are up for re- 

 newal. Other feed products appear to be in adequate supply. 



There were five cases of distemper reported during the 

 year. In three cases, substantial losses were experienced 

 with one of the cases suffering some 650 mink deaths. While 

 preventative innoculation was carried out in this case, there 

 was some evidence the mink had contracted the disease 

 before the vaccine was administered. An accurate assess- 

 ment of the incidence of plasmacytosis on Ontario ranches 

 is difficult as ranchers carry out tests on their own without 

 assistance or reference to the Ontario Veterinary College. 

 All mink showing positive to the test are pelted, and in this 

 manner the disease is controlled. 



The Ontario Fur Breeders Association held twelve 

 monthly meetings of the Directors, as well as the Annual 

 Meeting and two special general meetings of the members. 

 A Field Day in October and a Live Mink Show in November 

 were among the other educational functions held by the 

 Association. Three delegates were appointed to represent 

 the Association at the annual meeting of Canada Mink 

 Breeders which was held this year in Kitchener, Ontario. 



During the year, the Ontario Fur Breeders Association 

 presented a brief to the Minister of Revenue seeking relief 

 from the tax under the Ontario Retail Sales Tax Act in those 

 areas in which other farmers enjoy an exemption. The peti- 

 tion was granted, and now the same agricultural exemptions 

 apply to fur farming. 



The Association also presented a brief to the Government 

 requesting the transfer of the licensing of fur farms from the 

 jurisdiction of the Department of Lands and Forests to the 

 Department of Agriculture and Food. This petition was also 



granted, and the jurisdiction, together with the Supervisor 

 of Fur Farms, was transferred, effective April 1st. Henceforth, 

 the yearly reporting on fur farms will be found in the annual 

 report of the minister of Agriculture and Food. 



FISHERIES SECTION 



SPORT FISH AND HATCHERIES 



The objectives of the Unit are to encourage and promote 

 recreational fishing within the biological limitations of the 

 resource; to augment it where possible and desirable by the 

 planting of hatchery fish and the development of additional 

 fisheries; and to encourage wise use of the resource. 



Ontario is blessed with numerous lakes and streams, to- 

 gether with great diversity in climate, geology, access and 

 population densities. It follows, therefore, that fish manage- 

 ment practices mList be both varied and flexible. 



Unit personnel, in conjunction with field staff, are in- 

 volved in the planning and co-ordination of programs to 

 assess the fishery and its degree of utilization by anglers; to 

 determine the effectiveness of fish plantings; to establish 

 angling seasons and regulations and to test their validity: to 

 initiate habitat improvement; to study fisheries problems 

 and to evaluate remedial action; to provide public access 

 to natural waters and to acquire and develop public fishing 

 areas; and to dispense information and promote the sports 

 fishery. 



The production and distribution of hatchery fish stocks 

 are important aspects of fish management in Ontario. An 

 extensive system of fish hatcheries is operated, and the pro- 

 gram involves the modernization of facilities, the application 

 of new fish cultural techniques, and the experimental rear- 

 ing of exotic and hybrid species for the Great Lakes. 



ANGLING REGULATIONS AND SUMMARY 



Nine short-term fish sanctuaries were established on specific 

 portions of important, accessible spawning grounds for rain- 

 bow trout in streams tributary to Georgian Bay and in two 

 on Manitoulin Island. The period of closure will be from 

 March 1st to the Friday immediately preceding the second 

 Saturday in May. 



Wolfe Lake, Bob's Lake and Silver Lake, formerly on the 

 boundary line between Divisions 9 and 1, were placed in 

 Division 9. 



The part of the Cataraqui River lying south of the La Salle 

 Causeway was placed in Division 1 1 . 



The boundary between Divisions 14 and 9 was established 



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