Commercial Fishing

Commercial fishing is a valued industry in Manitoba. For over 100 years, Manitobans have been commercially harvesting fish. The majority of production comes from Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba, but several smaller lakes in southern and northern Manitoba are also fished. The resource is managed through the use of quotas, mesh size of gill nets, seasons and regulating the number of fishermen licensed. These management tools allow fish populations and the industry to remain viable. They also ensure resources are shared equitably on lakes with treaty Indian fishing and/or sport fishing.

Since almost all of the commercial production is sold out of the country, the $30 million dollars in annual sales represents a significant contribution to Manitoba's economy.

Eco-Certification

What is Eco-Certification?

"Increasingly, consumers and seafood buyers from around the world are calling for sustainable fish and seafood products. Sustainable fisheries management is becoming an increasingly important consideration in the marketability of fish products, particularly in key markets in the United States and Europe. This has led to the development of processes referred to as "eco-certification" which are intended to determine, through an assessment process, whether a commercial fishery is managed and operated in a sustainable manner. The sustainability criteria for most programs are similar since they all focus on the sustainability of fish stock(s), the commercial fishing's direct impact on fish species & habitats, by-catch, and consider the effectiveness of fisheries management such as whether there is adequate scientific research, monitoring & enforcement. If a fishery is determined to be sustainable, it receives a "seal of approval" referred to as an "eco-label". An eco-labeled product is entitled to bear a logo that comes with the assurance to the purchaser/ consumer, that the product has been produced in accordance with certain environmental standards. "

Waterhen Lake