Manitoba Government Invests Additional $1.5 Million to Support Sustainable Commercial Fisheries

June 20, 2023

Measures Will Ensure Long-Term Economic, Environmental Benefits: Nesbitt

The Manitoba government is implementing additional, proactive measures to ensure Manitoba’s commercial fisheries continue to be sustainably managed including an additional investment of $1.5 million in the Sustainable Fisheries and Certification Program, Natural Resources and Northern Development Minister Greg Nesbitt announced today.

“Manitoba’s commercial fisheries contribute over $100 million annually to the provincial economy,” said Nesbitt. “Improving the sustainability of our fisheries supports these economic benefits over the long term while also enhancing cultural, social, and environmental outcomes for resource users and local communities, both now and for future generations.”

The minister noted the additional investment of $1.5 million builds on last year’s investment of $2.5 million to establish and implement programs that support the sustainability and certification of Manitoba’s fisheries.

The Sustainable Fisheries and Certification Program supports commercial fisheries by:

• enhancing the collection of fisheries data utilized to inform fisheries management decisions and support certification processes;
• improving sustainability of fisheries through initiatives such as licence and quota buyback programs;
• providing financial support towards certification processes for Manitoba commercial fisheries; and
• promoting sustainable fisheries certification in Manitoba or market-certified fish from Manitoba.

Fisheries data are analyzed to inform fisheries management decisions, the minister said, adding that full stock assessments of Lake Winnipegosis and Lake Manitoba were completed in 2020. Fish stocks on Lake Winnipegosis are improving but quota levels were above the maximum sustainable yield, and Lake Manitoba is also being fished at unsustainable levels, the minister noted.

To help reduce the annual harvest pressure on walleye and sauger, the Manitoba government, in partnership with the International Institute for Sustainable Development, is offering voluntary licence and quota buyback programs on both lakes. To date, 13 licences and 13 quotas have been offered for purchase from Lake Winnipegosis fishers, while 71 licences have been offered for purchase from Lake Manitoba fishers. The program will run throughout this year, the minister added.

On Lake Winnipeg, similar fishery enhancement measures have been taken in the past few years and stock assessments are also underway. The Manitoba government, in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada through Strategic Partnerships Initiative funding provided under the Indigenous Inland Commercial Fisheries Initiative, has engaged with Indigenous communities on Lake Winnipeg to launch the Lake Winnipeg Fisher Co-op Enhancement Program (FCEP). This program will enhance the long-term viability of the local commercial fishing industry, the minister said.

As part of the Lake Winnipeg FCEP, four fisher co-operatives in the north basin and channel area of Lake Winnipeg are participating and can now purchase individual quota entitlements from local commercial fishers within their community licensing areas with financial support, ensuring the quotas and their associated economic benefits remain within the community.

The Manitoba government has invested $250,000 in the program, with an equal contribution from Indigenous Services Canada, which will run throughout this commercial fishing year.

“The Lake Winnipeg Co-op Enhancement Program that the Manitoba government has offered is a step towards truth and reconciliation with First Nations and Métis communities,” said Sam Murdock, chair, Lake Winnipeg Indigenous Commercial Fishers Inc. and director of operations for Fisher River Cree Nation. “This program will help our co-ops and communities financially. We commend the Manitoba government in its engagement with our communities on Lake Winnipeg and we hope this positive partnership continues to grow.”

For more information, visit www.manitoba.ca/nrnd/fish-wildlife/fish.

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For more information:

• Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
• Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.
• Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Communications and Stakeholder Relations: 204-451-7109.

NT5