For those of you who have not heard, the MNR has put restrictions on purchasing and using live bait (specifially emeralds shiners and blunt nose minnows) within Ontario. Thirty seven other minnow types are targeted. Their intent is to help thwart off VHS - Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia. The MNR press release says the following,

“Viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) has recently been discovered in fish from the lower Great Lakes,” said Ramsay. “While not a threat to human health, it has been linked to the die-offs of at least four species of fish. We’re asking all anglers and bait fish dealers in the affected areas to help slow down the spread of VHS to protect fish species by observing the necessary restrictions on the transport and use of live bait fish this winter.” Entire Article Here.

They have divided the province up into three zones – the infected zone, the buffer zone and the virus-free zone.

Essentially, northern Ontario is in the virus free zone (so is most of muskoka) and that means bait dealers are not able to purchase and transport minnows from traditional southern dealers who fall in the buffer zone or the infected zone.

As you can expect this means hard times ahead for bait shops and dealers in our area. What ticks-off these businesses even more is that fact that the current restrictions do not apply to individuals who venture from the virus-free zone and purchase minnows to the south (in the buffer zone). These individuals can then ‘give’ the targeted minnows (like emerald shiners) to their friends for use in the virus free zone. This is because the measures need to be legislated by the Government to apply to individuals. This process can take up to a year or more. (Source: Huntsville Forester February 21, 2007)

My take on the issue is mixed. I do not rely on the bait industry for my income and business. So, it would be easy for me to that this absolutely makes sense. My hunch would be that the bait industry could stomach these initiatives if they knew it was for the short term. After all, if this virus is that harmful to sport fish it will directly impact their industry in the long term. The Goverment better make sure that the science they are using to predict the impact this virus could have on fish stocks is accurate. These drastic measures had better work. While they are at it, they better do something fast about the individuals who will be bringing these minnows into our virus free zone.

Bill Anderson

Muskoka Outdoors