Media
Release
March
27, 2006
SHORELINE
WORK RESTRICTIONS FOR FISH SPAWNING
Rideau Valley Conservation
Authority and its environmental partners remind waterfront
property landowners, cottagers and construction project managers
that there are restrictions for in-water work in various
waterways and lakes in our area. Many are in place
now although they vary with weather, thermal conditions and
types of fish that inhabit the waterways. These timing windows
restrict construction activity in or near the water. The best
advice is avoid the fines and penalties under the provincial and
federal legislation and delay your in-water work until after the
restrictions have passed.
The purpose of these
timing windows is to allow an appropriate time and stress-free
environment for fish to spawn and raise their young in our local
lakes and streams. Fishing, including associated recreational
activities, is a multi-million dollar industry in Ontario.
Approximately $1.7 billion is spent annually in the province on
a range of goods and services related to recreational fishing.
It provides employment for thousands of people in the commercial
and recreational fishing industries as well as the related
service industry supporting it. Fewer fish mean fewer jobs and
degraded river health.
Here are the main
timing restrictions when no in-water work may occur in areas of
the Rideau Valley:
-warm water fish
communities: from March 15 to June 30
-mixed fish
communities: from October 1 to June 30 (e.g. Big
Rideau Lake)
-cold-water fish
communities: October 1 to May 31
-Ottawa River
(only): work restricted from March 15 to July 15
The timing windows are researched
and set annually by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
staff who have the mandate to set, enforce and allow exceptions
or extensions. People wishing to report violations, ongoing
in-water work or other problems are encouraged to contact their
local Conservation Authority, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
or Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources office.
It is also a wise idea to call the
Rideau Canal National Historic Site office. The contact for
information or to report illegal work on the bed of the Rideau
Canal is John Simzer, Compliance Officer at (613) 283-7199, ext
225.
The LandOwner Resource Centre (LRC)
in Manotick (613)692-3571 or 1-800-387-5304) can assist if you
are considering shoreline work such as docks, boat slips or
shoreline erosion protection measures. Staff can assist and
advise you on permit requirements or restrictions. Different
timing restrictions apply in some areas of warm, mixed and
cold-water fish communities, so it is important to check
before beginning work
on projects near the water.
Construction in or
close to water can affect fish by disturbing the soil and
causing erosion. The release of construction runoff and soil
into the water can stress fish and reduce their chances of
survival in the following ways:
·
reduce spawning success by smothering the eggs and preventing
them from hatching
·
inhibit young fish’s ability to see prey and feed properly
·
suffocate young and adult fish
·
inhibit movement and migration of fish
·
change water temperature
·
reduce water quality.
For information on the
shoreline work restrictions in your area, call Mark Scott, RVCA
Biologist at (613) 692-3571 ext 1138 (1-800-267-3504 ext 1138)
or the MNR Area Biologist (Kemptville) at (613) 258-8204 or MNR
Kingston (613) 531-5700. Make sure you know the rules. The
quality of our environment is at stake.
