| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Safe Ontario Fishing Tips as Anglers work with Conservation
Officers to promote responsible, safe fishing
 ONTARIO,
JOINT-NEWS RELEASE:--(CCNMatthews - May 3, 2007) - The Ontario Federation
of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) and the Ontario Conservation Officers
Association (O.C.O.A.) are working together to promote the responsible
use of Ontario's fisheries during the upcoming open water fishing seasons.
As summer approaches, hundreds of thousands of anglers take to the water
in search of the "The Big One." At the same time, Ontario's
Conservation Officers (C.O.'s) will also be spending time outdoors, ensuring
that anglers are following the rules regarding both angling and safe boating.
O.C.O.A. President Dan VanExan, a field C.O. in Peterborough
District, and O.F.A.H. Executive Director, Mike Reader, who are both avid
anglers, joined forces to urge outdoors enthusiasts to make sure they
practice safe and responsible behavior on the water.
"The O.F.A.H. has always believed that C.O.'s play
an important role in the protection of our resources," said Mike
Reader. "We welcome the opportunity to work with the O.C.O.A. to
spread the message of conservation and responsible resource use."
VanExan added that, "Our officers are constantly working
to ensure that our waterways are safe, and that our fish populations remain
healthy. We look forward to working with the O.F.A.H. to ensure that anglers
obey the law while on the water."
Ontario Fishing Tips
Before heading out for a day of fishing, both the O.F.A.H.
and O.C.O.A. recommend that anglers take a few minutes to make sure that
they are familiar with the following common regulations, found in the
2006 Fishing Regulations which are still in use until the 2008 regulations
are released next year:
most Ontario residents between the ages of 18 and 64 require
a license to fish, and must carry that license with them when fishing;
in most of Ontario, only one fishing line per person is
allowed;
seasons and catch limits vary across the province; be sure
to check the regulations summary for rules in the area where you plan
to fish;
if you're fishing from a boat, there are rules in place
to ensure that you have a safe day on the water;
you must have one personal flotation device or life jacket
for each person in the boat;
The boat must also be equipped with the proper safety equipment;
a paddle or anchor, bailing bucket, sound signaling device, and buoyant
heaving line are mandatory on most fishing boats, including canoes. Larger
vessels require more equipment.
"Our officers want to make sure that everyone obeys
the laws, to maintain the quality of our fisheries, and to make sure that
we don't have needless tragedies on our lakes and rivers," said VanExan,
and the O.F.A.H. agrees with the need to follow the rules this summer.
"The O.F.A.H. has the utmost respect for both C.O.'s
and the rules they enforce and I encourage everyone to have a safe and
enjoyable fishing season," added Reader.
Anyone looking for more information regarding angling or
boating rules can contact either their local C.O. or the O.F.A.H. Report
resource violations by calling 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) or Crime Stoppers
at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
For more information about our great outdoors, please visit
our websites at www.ocoa.ca
and www.ofah.org
400Eleven—Publishers Note.
Member properties on the 400eleven site have more than
25 fishing packages to help make your
Ontario summer fishing trip one of the best ever. Also see fishing
lodges north of Toronto into northern Ontario.
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