Illegal Fishing

[disspatcher]

Sounds like a good idea till someone says "Why is there so many pictures of "X" race?"

Discremination!


:evil:

 

[bobbyb]

Mykester

Unfotunately, the Forum where the thread was started operates on a "rolling' post. In other words the oldest started post is deleted as new posts appear.

Here is a link to the forum where the news was 1st posted:

http://www.lakesimcoemessageboard.com/

here are some of the replies from that post I originally put up - not the original since it was replaced. It became a little stupid with the word "hang" being used. Note the time and date of the replies as being last weekend. Trust they will work and open.

http://www.lakesimcoemessageboard.com/i ... ase=120330

http://www.lakesimcoemessageboard.com/i ... ase=120346

http://www.lakesimcoemessageboard.com/i ... ase=120325

http://www.lakesimcoemessageboard.com/i ... ase=120340

bobby

 

[Mykester]

I found something cool on the internet while procrastinating:

Figure 24. Angling Regulations in the Humber River Watershed
6-9
To reduce illegal activities, the idea of a River Watch or River Keeper program was suggested at
the first round of public meetings in 1999. A program whereby trained members of the public
would be allowed monitoring and education duties is a good idea, particularly during the spring
and fall migrations of salmon and trout. This type of program would require a committed and
coordinated volunteer effort, as well as OMNR and local police involvement and training.
Presently, there are models of this program operating in the Grand, Credit, Rouge and Duffins
River Watersheds.
A similar program introduced by the OMNR is the Fish and Wildlife Guardian Program. Fish
and Wildlife Guardians are volunteers who assist OMNR's compliance efforts. The primary
roles of a Guardian are:
§ Providing the public with local knowledge and awareness about fishing
and hunting rules and regulations; and,
§ Acting as the "eyes and ears" for OMNR, noting any non-compliance
activities they may observe and sharing this with district enforcement
staff.
Each volunteer accepted into the Guardian program is trained in the following:
§ introduction to the various statutes;
§ conflict avoidance and conflict resolution;
§ cross-cultural awareness; and,
§ note taking and observational skills.
Anyone who is over eighteen, and who has not been convicted of a Fish and Wildlife-related or
Criminal offence within the last five years, is eligible to apply to the Guardian Program. The
OMNR office in Aurora has more information.
Enforcement of the fishing regulations is done by OMNR Conservation Officers with some
limited assistance from local police and public. It is their responsibility to control illegal
activities such as poaching, overfishing, angling without a licence, etc. If you see any illegal
activities, please contact the Aurora branch of the OMNR (905-713-7400), Crimestoppers (1-
800-222-TIPS) or the local police detachment.

 

[bobbyb]

Thanks Mykester for the post.
I'm going to stop in Aurora next time I go thru and see if that program is still functioning. That type of approach has a ton of merit - heck we have Neighborhood Watch - why not Fisheries.
Good stuff,

bobby

 

[416angler]

@ Mykester, that is a very valid point, but even if the system has false posts, the intent would be just to keep an extra eye out for the people posted, and if they are seen fishing, just to check if they are breaking any regulations, and if they are, then to report it. Everything can be abused, just because it can be abused is that a reason for it not to exist in the first place. The MNR doesn't need vigilantism, policing should be left up to the police, but they cannot be everywhere all the time, so it is up to "us" the fishing community to protect our sport. Also if there is an obvious sign of abuse the moderators of the website would be able to pull any postings as per the request of said individuals. I wonder if there are any legal ramifications of posting pictures of people on websites without consent though, although from my understanding acting in "good faith" has a legal significance in our justice system. Regardless if this website does this, or if the MNR does this it is just a thought. I would like feedback from more of this community because to me this seems like a great idea (because its mine :evil

That could very easily lead to racial profiling. Given the fact that people on this board have already made racist comments and have been rebuked by other members, what's to stop them from just posting anyone's pic. Besides, what happens even if you think you recognize someone from a posted picture? Are you going to lean over and look into their bucket? They don't have to show you anything unless you are an officer. Everyone else will start suspecting them of something they might not have done. How will the targeted individuals feel if they are not poaching? Besides, someone who has poached before might not poach again if it's explained to them.

Why do you need someone's pic to call MNR anyways? If you suspect poaching, you call MNR. Let them check everyone's bucket.

Another thing to consider. Remember last year when a good samaratan was chased down and beaten unconcscious because he tried sticking up for a group of asian anglers who were about to be thrown into the lake by idiots? Would you claim responsibility if some moron decided to take vigilante justice after seeing the pic you posted?

Lots of things to think about...we all want to protect our lakes and our sport but we don't want people to get hurt or worse...

 

[bobbyb]

That could very easily lead to racial profiling. Given the fact that people on this board have already made racist comments and have been rebuked by other members, what's to stop them from just posting anyone's pic. Besides, what happens even if you think you recognize someone from a posted picture? Are you going to lean over and look into their bucket? They don't have to show you anything unless you are an officer. Everyone else will start suspecting them of something they might not have done. How will the targeted individuals feel if they are not poaching? Besides, someone who has poached before might not poach again if it's explained to them.

Why do you need someone's pic to call MNR anyways? If you suspect poaching, you call MNR. Let them check everyone's bucket.

Another thing to consider. Remember last year when a good samaratan was chased down and beaten unconcscious because he tried sticking up for a group of asian anglers who were about to be thrown into the lake by idiots? Would you claim responsibility if some moron decided to take vigilante justice after seeing the pic you posted?

Lots of things to think about...we all want to protect our lakes and our sport but we don't want people to get hurt or worse...

...............exactly. Leave the policing to the authorities. Why risk potential personal injury.

A possible answer IMO -
We need Larger Fines (ever travel in the US where littering - really littering - could bring $5000.00 in fines) Money out of anyones pocket hurts them. Think about it - How do you feel after paying a parking ticket? How about $1000.00 for each and every fish - minimum, loss of equipment, possible loss of one's vehicle etc etc etc and or jail.
Oh, and tack on a Criminal Record for life to boot!
Who knows for sure, but a sign at Lake Wilcox spelling out the Fine may have acted as a deterent.
Yes, I'm fosturing some inside anger. We have a fragile fishery - know that!
And while I'm at this Rant include Sizing in the Regulations - i.e. no fish shall be harvested under........8" for example. Very easily done, if those who write the laws were to wake up and take notice of what's happening.

bobby

 

[bobbyb]

My Apologies to 416angler for NOT shading his post, then replying. Old age is setting in...............

bobby

 

[spranga]

Here's a link to the OCOA (Ontario Conservation Officers Association) list of people getting busted poacing etc... not updated though. Go to the news section and it show the busts.

http://www.ocoa.ca/index.htm

 

[efka]

Sounds like a good idea till someone says "Why is there so many pictures of "X" race?"

Discremination!

lol

 

[desi]

Thanks for posting the MNR Tips hotline number.... copied in cell phone.

I thought Wilcox did not have any public access for fishing. Were these guys local residents fishing from their docks?

 

[zantrax]

There is a new park that they built where the beach used to be. There is a log that goes out where these people were fishing. You have to hop a snow fence to get to it, and bypass the no fishing for bass sign. It is a decent place to cast from.

 

[LiQz]

great post. people ought to know more about this kind of info.