It was with great interest that I read about the Saugeen First Nations concern about possible fish habitat being disturbed by the under - river directionnel drilling for the new north shore sewers.

Those of us who work hard to replenish the Saugeen River fish stocks through the Port Elgin and Kincardine hatcheries would welcome our local First Nations expanding those concerns even further as follows:

• 1] Reduce river spearing and all types of fishing on the spawning beds in the spring and fall to allow spawning fish to get up river to create naturally a healthy fishery
• Refrain from placing fishing nets from the fishing tugs so close to the Saugeen River on Lake Huron. Two nets were placed in 100 ft. depths during our recent derby. This is not tradional depths for white fish and are in the direct path of Salmon and Trout returning to spawn.

 I have a great deal of empathy towards past unfair and unjust actions done to native people's. If our Native neighbours would work with us on these conservation areas however , it would benefit all of us by keeping a healthy reproduction system in place. Failure to do so just creates hard feelings and some would question why continue our hatchery programs to see the fish we raise being caught in nets or harvested on the spawning beds.

A better idea would be to come and assist us at the hatchery and make the Saugeen River a place for others to want to copy

 

I want to beleive we all share the same goals. 

 

 Best Regards:  Robert Greason
 Chantry Derby Chair.