NEWS July 11, 2014
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry seeks the public’s help to identify the owners of gill nets that were left unattended in Lake Nipissing for a significant period of time in the month of June.
From June 7 to 23, 2014, several gill nets set off the northeast corner of Great Manitou Island and left abandoned were reported to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Conservation officers with the North Bay Enforcement Unit were able to locate and pull the nets, which contained decomposed fish. When found, these nets were still properly set and were not adrift, but had been left unattended for an estimated three to seven days, or possibly up to 10 days.
One net had a small black float on each end that could be used to locate the net, while another net had a white foam float and a small red float marking the ends. None of the nets had any markings to identify ownership.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is hopeful that the public can help to provide information leading to the owners of the nets.
If you have any information about these nets, please contact the MNR TIPS line at 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time, or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).