NUMBER OF FISH DISTRIBUTED 



FR OM PROVINCIAL FISH HATCHERIES, 1970 icontmued) 



Brook Lake Rainbow Yellow 



Hatcheries Trout Trout Trout Pickerel Other Species 



HILL LAKE Aurora Trout 



Fy — — 5,000 — 6,000 



Fg 40,000 25,000 28,470 _ _ _ 



Yg 214,730 124,000 _ _ _ _ 



II 33,560 _____ 



Ax 1,620 1,572 _ _ _ _ 



5^410,436 Fy and Fg kokanee from Wiarton, Sandfield and Clenora Research Station 

 2,448 F4 splake from Maple Research Station 



EE - eyed eggs 

 Fy - fry 



Fg - fingerlings 

 Yg - yearlings 



II - two year olds 

 Ax - adults 



COMMERCIAL FISH UNIT 



The Commercial Fish Unit plays an integral role in the 

 scientific management of aquatic resources for the optimum 

 use and enjoyment of the people of Ontario. 



The development and management of the commercial 

 fishery is accomplished by — collection and analysis of bio- 

 logical and economic information on the harvest; planning 

 and co-ordinating surveys to assess populations and to eva- 

 luate the extent to which they are utilized; protection of the 

 biotic potential through regulations (licences, seasons, 

 quotas and size limits); and the implementation of programs 

 that focus on the modernization of the industry, making it 

 responsive to changing consumer requirements while adapt- 

 ing to a dynamic, renewable resource. 



THE COMMERCIAL FISHERY 



In 1970, Ontario's commercial fishermen (including bait 

 fishermen) harvested over 51.1 million pounds of fish with 

 a landed value of 8.1 million dollars. 



The discovery of unacceptable levels of mercury in fish 

 harvested for human consumption has had a major effect on 

 the commercial fish industry. The areas where fishing has 

 been restricted by regulations are — Lake St. Clair; St. Clair 

 River; Detroit River; Lake Huron waters fronting Lambton 

 County; Lake Ontario waters east of longitude 76° 50'; St. 

 Lawrence River; Ottawa River; and the Wabigoon, English 

 and Winnipeg River systems in the territorial district of 

 Kenora. 



Despite this new problem, the industry continued to up- 

 grade its operations. Total capital investment at the end of 

 1970 was 12 million dollars. 



More than 1,800 men were employed in the industry. 

 However, the restrictions imposed because of mercury pol- 

 lution curtailed the operations of those in affected waters. 



The commercial fishermen's catch of 46 million pounds 

 is a decline in harvest of 27 per cent from 1969 and repre- 

 sents an 11 per cent decrease in the return to the primary 

 producer (based on landed value). 



Despite the decline in harvest, yellow perch and smelt 

 caught in Lake Erie are still dominant in the provincial catch. 

 Other important species in the Great Lakes fisheries are 

 herring from Lake Superior, whitefish from Lake Huron, and 

 white perch from Lake Ontario. The numerous northern 

 inland fisheries are still the primary producers of yellow 

 pickerel, whitefish, pike and sturgeon. 



Bait fish operations, an increasingly important part of the 

 commercial fish industry, provide a valuable service to 

 anglers. Culturing techniques and improved holding facili- 

 ties have extended the period of supply and enhanced the 

 quality of bait fish sold. Over 85.6 million minnows were 

 harvested and sold for 1.6 million dollars. The bait fish 

 industry, which is controlled through licensing, increased 

 two per cent from 1969 to a total of 4,017 operations. 



FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT 



In the harvesting of food fishes, the techniques used by a 

 diverse industry, ranging from the canoe and gill-nets of the 



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