OFAH praises DFO for investment in keeping invader out of Great Lakes

DFO pledges millions to fight Asian carp over next five years

PETERBOROUGH, ON, May 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - The invasion of Asian Carp into the Great Lakes would pose a major threat to Ontario's fisheries, so the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) is pleased that the Government of Canada through Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has announced an investment of $17.5 million to help keep this invader from entering the lakes.

"The OFAH Invading Species Awareness Program has been informing and engaging Ontarians about invasive aquatic species since the early 1990's," said Dr. Terry Quinney, OFAH Provincial Manager of Fish and Wildlife Services. "We have repeatedly seen first hand how critical it is to prevent, rather than react, to invaders, and this injection of financial support from Fisheries and Oceans Canada will significantly assist in achieving our collective goal of keeping Asian Carp out of our Great Lakes."

The new funding will be spent over five years in four areas: prevention, early warning, rapid response, and management and control. Education initiatives designed to keep Asian Carp from entering the country will be a key focus, and DFO will work with the US government to develop an early warning and monitoring system as well as rapid response protocols for both countries. Enforcement of regulations relating to the import and transport of Asian carp will be another target area.

With over 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 675 member clubs, the OFAH is the largest nonprofit, charitable fishing, hunting and conservation-based organization in Ontario, and the voice of anglers and hunters. For more information, visit www.ofah.org, or follow the OFAH on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters