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$50,000 Fine For Importing Live Asian Carp

June 22, 2012

A Toronto fish importing company and the company president have been fined a total of $50,000 for possessing live Asian Carp in Ontario. Xionyin Trading Inc., of Toronto pleaded guilty to possessing live invasive fish and was fined $40,000. Xiong Wang of Markham, also pleaded guilty to possessing live invasive fish and was fined $10,000. Additionally, 2,472 kilograms (5,450 pounds) of seized Bighead Carp valued at $3,270 was forfeited to the Crown. Charges against the second company representative are still before the court. The court heard that on January 20, 2011, the Canada Border Services Agency at the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward contacted the Ministry of Natural Resources to assist with the inspection of a truck hauling fish from the state of Arkansas into Ontario. Conservation officers inspected the truck and located a substantial amount of live Bighead Carp in the truck and subsequently seized all the fish.

It has been illegal to possess live invasive fish including, Bighead, Grass, Black and Silver Carp in Ontario since 2005 because of the significant threat they pose to the province’s lake systems. As part of the ongoing efforts to protect Ontario’s environment from the importation of invasive species, the Ministry of Natural Resources will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to monitor compliance with the legislation.

The Honourable Justice Deborah J. Austin heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, in Sarnia, on June 22, 2012.

To report a natural resource violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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President’s Report

Well folks it’s that time of year again were the OS is busy with a number of things. First we captured our adult’s at Denny’s Dam and moved them up stream to the prime spawning grounds of the Beatty headwaters of the Saugeen.

Next came egg taking for next year’s little guys and along with that will be the release of this year’s little guys who have by this time grown to some 6-10 inches and ready to take on the new world after spending almost a year being cared for by the guys at the LHFC and trust me they did as always, an excellent job.

There will be a release of about 60,000 from LHFC/OS and this year as an added bonus the MNR released approximately 35,000 more at the Beatty Saugeen these guys although slightly smaller than the LHFC guys due to colder water temp at the Chatsworth hatchery will no doubt only make the fishery that much stronger in the future.

Along with the MNR’s release at the Beatty there will some much needed follow up on the little guys in the Beatty later this year in the form of some Biomass work which will tell lots about how they are doing and the stream’s condition as well. We’ll keep you posted on that as the MNR’s Jody Schiefly made need some help with this.

Mother Nature was up to her old tricks and gave us a normal spring and so it took a little longer than usual to get the transfer done but the guys managed to as always get it done and transferred 962 adults to the prime spawning water of the Beatty Saugeen. A huge thank you goes out as always the volunteers that give their time and effort to get this done year after year and without this dedicated group the Saugeen would not be where it is today. The guys at the Dam also managed to take all the eggs needed by LHFC, OS and a couple of other groups and the MNR, all of these are going to the next generation of fish for next year.

Also this year at the request of Dave Gonder of the MNR and the Michigan DNR fish were wanded to check for implanted tags. If the fish was discovered to have a tag it was to be taken for study by the Michigan DNR as this would have been a Michigan fish which strayed over to our waters no fish were discovered to have tags.

The transfer of our little guys from the LHFC hatchery took place the weekend of April 26/13 and even though it was opening weekend of trout season the dedicated group got it done and all went smoothly. The little guys are now swimming around in their new home the Saugeen for a short time till they smolt out and migrate to Lake Huron were they’ll spend the next three years growing before they come back to their home the Saugeen. This year for the first time in many years the OS will take part in a Sportsmen Show. We will be at the Sportsmen in Walkerton Ontario the weekend of May31-Jun2 so if you haven’t got any plans make a trip to the show and stop by for a visit.

Also a first in the history of the OS we have a finalized constitution so a big thank you to the current BOD of the OS for getting this done.

Also very shortly the OS will have the revised Website up and running and there will be lots of new features for all you tech- types so stand by for this in the next couple of months.

The BOD is also looking into getting the Club incorporated for the future so we’ll keep you posted on how this is going.

So as you can see it’s been a busy time and looks to stay that way for quite some time to come, also keep in mind that there will be some upcoming elections in the near future so think about it as Member of the OS if it’s time to step up to the plate and take on a job to help lead the Club into the future.

Have a great summer, be safe and enjoy the great outdoors.

Karl Redin
President
Ontario Steelheaders

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The Law (Fisheries Act of Canada) Did you know?

Here are some rules from the Fisheries Act of Canada.

Throwing overboard of certain substances prohibited

36. (1) No one shall

  • (a) throw overboard ballast, coal ashes, stones or other prejudicial or deleterious substances in any river, harbour or roadstead, or in any water where fishing is carried on;
  • (b) leave or deposit or cause to be thrown, left or deposited, on the shore, beach or bank of any water or on the beach between high and low water mark, remains or offal of fish or of marine animals; or
  • (c) leave decayed or decaying fish in any net or other fishing apparatus. Marginal note:Disposal of remains, etc.

(2) Remains or offal described in subsection.

(1) may be buried ashore, above high water mark.

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Treasurers Report

Hello Steelheaders and welcome to summer. It certainly is nice to shed the cold blustery days of winter to enjoy the more temperate days to.

Below is a list of groups, individuals and organizations who have been kind and generous with donations of time, labour, materials and financial support to aid our joint ventures in helping one of our favorite species, Steelhead. I would like to thank you all, personally, for your contributions and look forward to your continued association with the Ontario Steelheaders.

Here is a list of friends of the Ontario Steelheaders.

  • Joseph Lawson
  • Bernard Gowsell
  • Roberto Rossi
  • Hammond Power Solutions
  • Red Wing Tackle
  • Don Power
  • Pete Munro
  • Ernie Jantzen
  • Angling Outfitters
  • Darek Czarnota

Financial Report for the Ontario Steelheaders September 2012 through March 2013

9/01-30/12 – Opening balance $28,202.41
Expenses – $705.95
Credits + $393.73
10/01-31/12 – Opening balance $27,889.38
Expenses – $3,803.61
Credits + $5,028.27
11/01-30/12 – Opening balance 29,113.79
Expenses – $4,180.11
Credits + $752.77
12/01-31/12 – Opening balance $25,670.16
Expenses + $2,092.08
Credits – $195.21
12/31/12 – Year End $23,789.83
01/01-31/13 – Opening balance $23,789.83
Expenses – $300.18
Credits + $624.20
02/01-28/13 – Opening balance $24,113.85
Expenses – $199.75
Credits + $25.18
03/01-31/13 – Opening balance $23,939.28
Expenses – $2,405.94

I would like to thank you all, personally, for your contributions and look forward to your continued association with the Ontario Steelheaders.

Harold Curtis
Teasurer
Ontario Steelheaders

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Fishcam Now Being Re-Broadcasted

After much troubleshooting and countless hours, the Denny’s Dam fish-cam is now being re-broadcasted from an Internet server to now support a limitless viewing audience.

Prior to today, each user was viewing the stream directly from Denny’s over satellite. We expect it to perform much better now although I’m sure I’ll be dialing in the settings over the coming weeks. Enjoy!

Biotactic Node 11 Dennys Dam Fish Cam

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Lake Huron – Low Level Talk

An upcoming forum aims to create more dialogue about declining water levels in Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.

Full article: http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/2013/04/24/forum-to-feature-lake-level-experts

Low Lake Huron Levels
Low Lake Huron Levels
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Thoughts from the Shoreline

Fishing from the shoreline is one of my favorite pastimes. I can be with friends or I can be by myself. Both situations can be equally enjoyable.

Fishing gives you time for reflection and otherwise lets your mind wander. How far it goes is up to you. It can be amazing what crosses one’s mind during fishing excursions so I am going to share some of my cerebral ramblings with you:

  1. A lure is a lure is a lure. Is it not? That is the question. Is it a lure or allure that causes a fish to attack? Scent, colour, size and movement all garner a fish’s attention. My heavy footsteps and tripping over rocks while wading also gets their attention…
  2. If parched, do not drink from the river water. It contains ugly little things that may cause you copious amounts of anal leakage. However in order to remain hydrated, some people say that pure water flavoured with some grains of the field does the trick. All in moderation say the experts.
  3. With so many choices of colours and styles of lures, how does an angler choose an effective lure for that particular time and place? Did I bring enough tackle? (You can never have enough tackle in my mind.) Maybe I should follow my wife’s advice and just “Pick out the pretty ones”.
  4. The easiest way to choose a lure is to watch what other successful fishing nuts, er…experts, are using and copy them. Yes, it does work – sometimes. This brings to mind the old slogan – “Born to fish. Not to catch.”
  5. River water in the Spring can be cold and fast flowing. It is a no brainer to be careful while wading. This is said not from experience but from close encounters of the wet kind.
  6. It is also wise to check your waders for leaks before going fishing. Wet feet do not promote a good fishing experience. Either do the comments and/ or laughter caused by a wet crotch or seat of one’s pants. Friends and strangers can be counted on to add to an embarrassing situation. You know I’m right.
  7. Talking to the fish that are still swimming in the river is completely normal. I think. It may raise the eye brows of newbies but those who have been fishing for a period of time just smile and nod knowingly.
  8. The heron down the river from me is catching more fish than I am. What’s his secret?
  9. I sometimes think of the cost of fishing. One year while I was on the shoreline, I figured out that it cost me $78.00 a fish (approximately) that year. It is a good thing that I did not catch more fish or I’d be broke. It would be cheaper to buy them at the grocery store but where’s the fun in that?
  10. What type of story should I make up today in case I do not catch anything? I may leave this to think about later but the ones about stick fish or the strength of the river bed monsters are always a source of inspiration.
  11. Where are all those canoes coming from? Don’t they know I’m fishing here???
  12. 12. Hey! Is that guy using pop (?) cans to measure the length of the fish he just caught???
  13. 13. Am I having a good time? Yes, I think I am. Yes… I know I am. The fish are being kind to me today. At least no one is telling me it’s time to go. Darn, why did I think about having to “go”?