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Temagami Stewardship Council

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Temagami Stewardship Association

March 29th meeting of the Temagami Stewardship Council

Temagami Stewardship Council Meeting of March 29, 2005

The Chairman of the Temagami Stewardship Council, Gaye Smith, began the March 29th meeting exhorting the Stewardship Directors to consider the direction of the Stewardship into the future.

“ In the first meeting of the fourth year of official operation for the Temagami Stewardship Council I feel that it is appropriate to take a few comments to reflect on the future direction of this Stewardship Council.

Stewardship is defined as “being responsible for the careful management of any kind of resources or property” and this premise formed the first goal of the Temagami Stewardship Council. As Directors of this Council, our role is to act as stewards in “preserving, protecting, restoring and improving the natural resources and the environment of Lake Temagami / Cross Lake.” The act of Stewardship places the resource first while at the same time recognizing that if the goal is accomplished then all the users of the resource will benefit from a healthy and sustainable resource.

The Temagami Stewardship Council advocates that regulations governing the fisheries should be derived from a management plan based on good scientific research and the input of local expertise. It is essential to educate the public as to the reasons for management decisions. Then there must be adequate enforcement provided to ensure that the regulations derived from the management plan are carried out. It is essential to conduct research to evaluate the results of the management plan. Finally we must ensure that the public is educated as to the results of the research and the effects of the management plan.”

This is the reason that the TSC and its predecessors have been partnering with the MNR to conduct creels and studies on Lake Temagami since 1995. The best possible scientific data is gathered and that information along with local expertise is used to create a management plan that will ensure the sustainability of the fishery.

The importance and value of stewardship is being recognized and advocated across Ontario and in fact across Canada. The Temagami Stewardship has made great strides over the past few years and is being referenced as an example to all of Northern Ontario as a model to copy. We are the very first Stewardship in Northern Ontario to be included in the Ontario Stewardship Program and also to be the recipient of an appointed Stewardship Coordinator.

As part of the Ontario Stewardship Program, we are unique. As Steve Wilkens of the Ontario Stewardship Program, explains, the “2 pillars” of the program are said to be the coordinator and the volunteer base. We have a very small volunteer base from which to draw in the Temagami area BUT we must make a planned and concerted effort to involve others in this organization. None of us are going to be around forever and we need to plan for the sustainability of this organization. Just as important, is the need to educate the general public as to the value of the Stewardship and what it can accomplish. It is up to each of us as Directors to encourage involvement from other people. We need to invite our friends, the executive and members of the respective organizations that we represent as well as interested individuals to the regular meetings of this council. Think about asking for volunteers to be involved in the numerous projects being conducted over the next few months. Your individual involvement should not just be participation in attending monthly meetings.

As Directors of the TSC, we will not always agree on all issues brought before us. This is a very diverse group with many vested interests in the resource but it is important to remember and to recognize the real intent of Stewardship and the reasons we are here is to “preserve, protect, restore and improve the natural resource and the environment of Lake Temagami”. By continually working together, I believe that we CAN make a difference and that future generations can only benefit from the work we do.”

In the meeting that followed the proposed resignation of John Moskwa, the representative of the Temagami Chamber of Commerce was withdrawn. In the draw for the 2004 winners of anglers who had entered data in the TSC Angler’s Journal, Heather Windrom won the floater coat donated by the MNR. Bobby Morrison, Ryan Smith, Bud Fryer and Al Murphy were all winners of $100.00 fishing equipment packages from Maurice Sporting Goods of Toronto. Chuck McCrudden, Dick Crum and Gaye Smith reported on the meeting held in North Bay on March 10 to discuss a Stewardship Coordinator for Temagami. It would appear that Temagami will receive at least a half time and very possibly a full time coordinator.

The next discussion centered on the proposed projects for 2005. A Walleye Specific Creel will be the major project. In this initiative the creel crew will follow a scientifically designed creel schedule. They will camp out in remote areas of the lake to ensure the information from fishermen fishing for walleye after dark is collected. The crew will also be used to gather more information on the spawning areas in the lake as well as conduct invading species testing and promoting the use of the Angler’s Journal on the lake. Projects on Septic System Assessment, Invading Species, a new Fisheries Management Plan, enhancing Angler’s Journal involvement and an initiative to Evaluate Spawning Areas located last year were also discussed.

In the on-going projects there has been a number of new volunteers added to the network of persons observing walleye spawning activity in the spring. Chuck McCrudden, the area biologist for the MNR, advises that the spawning should begin when the water reaches 6 to 8 degrees. However, the water entering Lake Temagami from a swampy area may be warmer than the lake water and walleye may begin to spawn at creek mouths as early as April 25th. An ordinary household thermometer will work to take the surface water temperature. It is a better idea to observe one area over several nights rather than observe for one night only and then go somewhere different. Temagami is not always an easy place to observe the walleye spawning activities. All we can do is give it our best shot. If there is anyone interested in helping with the observations contact a Stewardship Director. For more information on the other Stewardship projects and activities check out the web page at www.temagamistewardship.ca

Peter Sword, the OFAH, Zone D representative, reported on the proposed changes to the fishing regulation boundaries. It would appear that Temagami will be included in a new area 11 which will stretch south and include Lake Nipissing. The TSC already made a submission to the committee reviewing the regulation changes in March of 2004, expressing the opinion that the TSC would prefer regulations on Temagami based on our local management plan. A further motion was passed to send a submission asking that Lake Temagami stay as part of Zone 11 but with its own regulations based on a Lake Temagami Management Plan.

As the Chairman of the Temagami Stewardship Council I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and express a sincere thank you to Becky Mullin for her efforts as the recording secretary of the Temagami Stewardship Council. I would also like to thank Ivan Beauchamp of Temagami Forest Products for supporting Becky’s participation in the Stewardship.

The next meeting will be Monday April 25, 2005.

The interested public is always welcome.

www.temagamistewardship.ca

Temagami Stewardship Index

Gaye Smith Chairman Temagami Stewardship council

Temagami Stewardship Council
P.O. Box 299, Temagami
Ontario P0H 2H0

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