Ontario has a superb worldwide reputation as purveyors of the very finest quality freshwater fish. Ontario's licensed commercial fishermen operate in the Great Lakes on Lakes Erie, Huron, Superior and Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. In addition, licenced commercial fisheries operate in Lakes Nipigon, Rainy, Lake of the Woods and a few smaller inland lakes under the auspices of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR).

The industry employs approximately 3,500 individuals across the province, either on the fishing vessels or in the processing and packing facilities. Over the past ten years, Ontario's commercial harvest has ranged from 27,000,000 pounds to 44,000,000 annually. Collectively, the industry generates approximately $113.6 Million in tax revenue for Municipal, Provincial and Federal Treasuries.

An economic impact factor of ten, as it relates to the annual landed value of the fish, is utilized to determine the overall economic impact to the Canadian economy. In year 2003, the economic impact was estimated at $318 Million. Direct revenues to the OMNR Dedicated Wildlife Fund through Royalties for Year 2003 was $1,043,354. Other direct revenues through licence fees for Year 2003 were approximately $50,000.

Ontario's licensed commercial fishery is regulated by a series of Federal and Provincial Legislative Acts. The most prominent Acts governing our industry are the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, The Federal Fisheries Act and the accompanying Ontario Fishing Regulations, The Provincial Fish Inspection Act, the Canadian Food Inspection Act and the Federal and Provincial Public Health Acts. In addition, the industry is governed by a series of "Conditions of License" which may vary from quota zone to quota zone or lake to lake.

All fish landed in the Province of Ontario by a licensed commercial fishery are subject to inspection prior to off loading the days catch. This is accomplished by two methods. On Lake Erie, the bulk of the catches are scrutinized by a government appointed dock-side monitor or Weight Observer and sample weights are taken which must correlate to the Daily Catch Report (DCR) filed by the Captain of the fishing vessel. Where a dock-side monitor is not available, the Captain must file the DCR report at a lock-box station prior to off-loading his catch. When utilizing this method, the Captain and the DCR's are subject to surprise audits by Conservation Officers.

Processed fish which are exported from Canada, are regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). All processing facilities which export fish are subject to a Federally imposed Quality Management Certification Program which maintains or exceeds HACCP equivalency.