January 25, 2008
The Guardian

Rec fishery being choked out
Siltation, fish kills, nitrates, habitat destruction and unchecked predation by cormorants among reasons cited for decline over past 10 years

MONTAGUE — Where have all the fish gone?
It’s a question on the minds of anglers and outdoor activists across the province these days and other than the predation of the cormorant, the blame focuses largely on allowing Prince Edward Island watersheds to become toilet bowls.

That’s what surfaced during the second meeting of the recreational fisheries policy discussion committee that is crossing the Island with public meetings.

Oldtimers recalled the days when Island ponds, rivers and streams were teeming with trout and salmon and casting a hook always yielded a prize.

But for more than 30 residents who turned out here Wednesday night, those days are becoming a foggy memory and will disappear unless something is done to protect waterways, support fish stocking programs and staunch the 40 per cent decline in angling over the past 10 years.

“We’re here to get your input about establishing policies or guidelines to help government when it comes to the recreational fishery,’’ said facilitator Crystal MacDonald.

Read the entire article here:
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=101583&sc=98