A new Memorandum of Understanding is in effect to sustainably manage the Lake Nipissing fisheries and support the recovery of the walleye population.
Ontario’s Government is working with Nipissing First Nation as the two renew joint efforts for the next three years.
“Our government is committed to work together with Indigenous partners to create and support jobs and economic opportunities in Northern Ontario,” said John Yakabuski, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. “We have signed a new three-year agreement that will support Nipissing First Nation’s commercial fishery, helping to promote sustainable economic growth and resource management.”
The new Memorandum of Understanding came into effect March 11 and ends March 10, 2022, and will support the recovery of the walleye population and build on successes achieved, including:
- Establishing strong relationships between Ontario and the Nipissing First Nation that respect the First Nation’s treaty rights to commercially fish the waters of Lake Nipissing
- Improving the sharing of fisheries data to inform effective science-based management decisions on Lake Nipissing
- Providing resources to support the implementation of Nipissing First Nation’s Fisheries Law and help manage its commercial fishery on the lake
- Supporting education and compliance through restorative justice
“Our goal is to work cooperatively to support a healthy, sustainable fishery that our nation can continue to enjoy and rely on for generations to come,” said Chief Scott McLeod. “This will be achieved through the full implementation of Nipissing First Nation’s Fisheries Law.”
For a printed copy of the MOU contact Nipissing First Nation at 705-753-2050 or Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry North Bay District at 705-475-5550. For an online version, click here.