nets

[dano1]

So whats the real deal with the ghost nets being found on Nippissing? Hearing a lot of rumors, just thought I would ask for any clarification?

[dano1]

wow, 98 views, and not one comment?

[kevintracy1671]

been fishing on the lake for many years. never heard of a ghost net. what are you referring too?

[Loony]

article in OOD says 5 have been found recently, the last with 200 fish in it. The natives say that the nets are not theirs but who else nets up there? goggle ghost nets , Lake Nipissing for more info.

[morecowbell23]

http://www.nugget.ca/2014/08/19/up-to-13-gill-nets-found.
The number up from 5.

[Loony]

13 nets, wow, this is one of the reasons why our 2-3 trips to Nip. went to 0 this year along with the reg changes! Makes me sick

[Grumpa]

Without pointing fingers or accusing anyone or stirring up already inflamed emotions......I'm curious....and perhaps there's someone that can enlighten me.
How much would just one on these 'ghost' nets cost? The nets themselves, the weights, the floats etc. Where would someone purchase them?....there can't be 'that' many suppliers of that type of equipment within a decent radius of the lake? I'm not involved in investigative police work but wouldn't you contact any possible supplier of this type of equipment in order to track down potential customers or purchasers of the equipment? Recent sales records could be a great starting point in an investigation. Can the nets themselves be assembled from components bought elsewhere on or near the deployment site? What does the MNR do with the confiscated nets and associated equipment? Are they destroyed? Perhaps it would be somewhat reassuring or comforting if the MNR explained what becomes of the nets after they're retrieved.
It just seems to me, if the same individuals are the culprits responsible they could possibly be out a lot of money each time one of these nets is hauled up, confiscated and presumably destroyed.
Let alone the risk of being caught laying the nets or retrieving them. If the nets are at all expense and I lost 13 of them, I think at some point....I'd quit laying them just from the cost aspect alone. You're not fooling anyone....everybody is aware of the situation and watching for the nets now.
And it's baffling to me.....with a close community of the type that exists around the lake that someone wouldn't have noticed individuals transporting, receiving delivery of or picking up a continuos supply of nets. Who on the lake could possibly have that many nets that they could afford to lose so many?
It's only logical that someone within the community or a supplier/provider of that type of equipment would have knowledge of these activities. And really......if people are sheltering the culprits out of some form of misplaced financial, personal or ethnic obligation.....they should be ashamed of themselves and truly are as much to blame for the crime as the culprits themselves.
Destruction of the natural resources of this lake are as much the fault of the perpetrators as anyone else that's aware of these disgusting activities and instead chooses to ignore the problem or turn a blind eye to them. Everyone in every community around the lake will eventually feel some form of financial and economic fallout from the mistreatment and abuse of the natural resources.
Comments welcome.

[Loony]

Can't agree more with you Grumpa, must be lots of money in netting fish for sale to lose this much gear or possibly a govt. subsidy is paying for them?

[canadadude]

You have to understand this is all Black Market, Criminal activity of course these criminals have a market, and your right the persons buying the product are just as guilty. The problem is who knows where they aquired the nets, could be from old commerical operations that have been retired or bought out, could come from States, out of province anywhere. It's hard to find out where Criminals get there stuff, it is being investigated,but investigations are difficult and time consuming, criminals rarely make it simple.