Bait fish in Quebec : new regulatory guidelines

Bait fish in Quebec :
new regulatory guidelines
Isabelle Desjardins
Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement, de la Faune et des Parcs
18th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species
Niagara Falls, April 24th 2013
Bait Fish
9 Small fish (bait) are used in sport fishing to catch bigger
species : walleye, yellow perch, bass, etc.
9 Emerald & yellow shiners
9 Used all year round, but especially for ice fishing
9 Come from province of Québec (St. Lawrence River) or
outside border (Great Lakes)
Problematic
9 The use of bait fish can increase the risk of introduction and
dispersion :
- Pathogens &diseases
- Parasites
- Aquatics invasive species (AIS)
9 AIS, pathogens & diseases can be found in water of bait
bucket, container, live wells
9 AIS may be carriers of pathogens, diseases, parasites
9 Non-compliance of regulation by some anglers
Bait fish regulation
9 Progressive implementation of regulations since the 1950s
9 Last
modification
in 1990
In 2008, a new approach in terms of regulation was initiated as a result of improved
knowledge on pathways of AIS, pathogens and diseases introduction and
propagation, such as viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS)
Viral hemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS)
9 Viral disease that affects, depending on the strains, species
of freshwater fish and saltwater.
9 Disease that causes bleeding and which is potentially lethal
to fish (frequently associated with die-off).
9 Now found in all Great Lakes, but no report in province of
Québec
www.mnr.gov.on.ca
Round goby
• Native range = Europe and Asia
• 1990-1995 : Widespread distribution in all Great Lakes
• 1997 : First mention in Quebec (in St. Lawrence River)
• Now : widely spread in St. Lawrence River (up to Québec city),
but no reports of the round goby in inland water
• Illegally used as bait fish by some anglers
• Strong competition for food and space whit native species
Use of bait fish during summer season
• Summer = several effective baits and lures are available
• In 2010, a survey was conducted among anglers from 9 regions
of Quebec where bait fish were used
• Results of the survey :
- 14% of respondents used bait fish for the last two years (2008-2010) at
least one time during summer seasons.
- 71% of these respondents will continue to fish with a other types of bait, if
there is a ban on bait fish by the authorities.
- 15% of these respondents where indifferent to a change in regulation
Used of bait fish during winter season
• Winter 2009 and 2010 : Experimental fishing
by the Ministry
• Tip-ups technique
• Inland water (Abitibi) & St. Lawrence river
(Deux-Montagnes Lake near Montreal)
• Fishing success with bait fish (live and dead) = compared with results
obtained with other bait and lures
• Other bait and lures tested : cooked shrimp, earthworm, artificial lures
(leech, minnow, maggot) and treated bait fish (ethyl alcohol, borax, cook)
¾The fishing success with other bait was lower than that obtained
with bait fish (live and dead)
New regulation - Importation of bait fish
9 April 2012 = Modification of Règlement sur l’aquaculture et la
vente de poissons (RAVP)
9 Since April 2012, the importation of bait fish (alive or dead) is
prohibited in the province
9 Exceptions for dead bait fish can be autorized by authorities
under certain conditions
- Request of a SEG permit (scientific, education, management)
- Provide fish health certificate
- Harvesting bait fish in water known to be VHS free
New regulation - Use of bait fish
9 March 2012 : Announced of the future changes by the authorities
9 Modification of the Règlement de pêche du Québec (RPQ)
9 The use of bait fish will be gradually restricted until summer 2017:
- April 1, 2013 : use of live bait fish are prohibited
- April 1, 2017 : use of live and dead bait fish will be
prohibited
9 Anglers may still use bait fish (live or dead), in winter, in zones
where their use was already permitted
New regulation
Before 2013
Summer 2013-2016
Winter
Summer 2017
Communication campaign
9 Main objective:
- Present new regulation to anglers and public
9 Secondary objective :
- Educate on the impacts associated with pathogens and AIS
- Promote the use artificial lures
Communication tools
9 4 000 posters & 13 700 stickers were
distributed in popular fishing hot spots,
hunting & fishing stores, restaurants &
food markets, and many more before
establishment of new regulation
Communication tools
9 Brochure were distributed in hunting & fishing exhibits
Next steps
9 Implement measures to reduce the risks associated with bait
fish that are still used in Quebec
9 Continue to inform anglers and public about new regulations
on bait fish
9 Continue awareness campaign to prevent the introduction
and spread of pathogenes and AIS
- Radio and televisions interviews
- Articles in specialized journals and magazines
- Website
- Short video
- and more…
Thank you !
Question ?