remote northern fisheries to the electronically equipped 

 trawlers in Lake Erie, are not necessarily the most suitable 

 for the proper utilization of the resource. 



The Department, in co-operation with the Department of 

 Fisheries and Forestry, has initiated and is actively partici- 

 pating in experimental projects designed to develop indus- 

 trial or fishing techniques which are of economic advantage 

 to the commercial fishing industry. Three such projects were 

 undertaken in 1970. 



In an effort to diversify further the fishery in western Lake 

 Superior, a project was designed to test the economic 

 feasibility of trawling for smelt. A Lake Superior trawler and 

 crew were hired to explore Thunder Bay and Black Bay for 

 concentrations of smelt sufficient to support the develop- 

 ment of a fishery. Trawling commenced on September 23 

 and continued through November 8. 



Adverse weather conditions severely restricted the experi- 

 ment. However, the results obtained indicate that bottom 

 trawling would be only marginally profitable during this 

 season. 



In Lake Erie, a project was undertaken to determine the 

 economic feasibility of using trawling gear to harvest yellow 

 perch and coarse fish. A Lake Erie trawler and crew were 

 contracted to fish from September to January. 



A wide variation in catches appeared to be due to a 

 number of factors such as weather conditions, trawl-net type, 

 size of otter board and concentrations of fish. This program 

 will be continued in 1971. 



The third program was to provide technical upgrading and 

 gear development for the northern inland fishery. The effi- 

 ciency of trap-nets was tested and demonstrated for the 

 selective harvest of whitefish from recreational waters. 



Sufficient quantities of whitefish were taken in the lakes 

 tested to warrant the licensing of commercial operations. 



INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT 



In areas where fishing was restricted because of mercury 

 pollution, financial assistance was made available to com- 

 mercial fishermen in the form of interest-free demand loans 

 under The Fisherj-es Loans Act, 1970. 



Another program of financial support, to that part of the 

 industry affected by mercury, was made available through 

 the Ontario Development Corporation and the Northern 

 Ontario Development Corporation to assist commercial 

 fishermen who could restructure or relocate their fisheries to 

 exploit uncontaminated species. 



The organized marketing of fishery products through the 

 Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation in northwestern 

 Ontario has, in general, produced a stability of markets and 

 prices which had never before been realized by all the 

 northern fishermen. The Corporation is presently testing the 

 market with new products that are utilizing species of fish 

 which have usually had little commercial value. During the 

 sudden crisis created by the discovery of mercury contami- 

 nation, the Corporation offered stability and efficient service 

 to the industry in this area. 



The Fisheries Prices Support Board continues to provide 

 service to the industry through stabilization of yellow perch 

 prices. This program operates by buying these premium 

 fresh-water fish and holding them in cold storage until the 

 market is ready to accept the supplies. In 1970, prices 

 remained strong and stable, which resulted in few fish being 

 offered to the Board. 



The Department continued its participation in programs 

 to assist the industry by providing field services for the 

 Fishing Vessel Insurance Plan, a low-cost insurance program 

 initiated by the Department of Fisheries and Forestry. 



Preparing to lift bag of herring into trawler on Lake 

 Superior. Photo by I. A. Chappel. 



29 



