An Editorial by Jim Etherington

I am sure that you read or at least heard about the harassing of Chinese anglers around the Sutton area of Lake Simcoe, and also around Westport in the Rideau area. Evening and after=dark anglers were being threatened, chased, and even pushed into the water by locals; and the media hype was that these incidents were racially motivated. The incidents around Sutton have been investigated by OMNR, the local police, as well as Human Rights groups. In the Westport area, complaints deal with over-fishing, fishing after dark, noise, and leaving garbage behind. And the problems are probably going to continue this fishing season unless we understand the situation, and try and do something about it. (By the way, the Chinese community does not see the above actions by the locals as being racially motivated.)

The real problem is one of cultural differences. Hong Kong has just begun a regulatory system for anglers, but in Mainland China, there are no angling regulations and no required fishing licences. Also Chinese love to eat fresh fish. Added to that, the majority of their jobs is in the service industry, leaving them only evenings to fish and catch their meals. We Caucasians are often appalled at the size and quantities of fish they sometimes have, but we have to realize that nothing is wasted. The whole fish is consumed. If they have in their possession out of season game fish it is not because they are knowingly poaching, it is because they are not aware of our province’s fish and game laws.

It is interesting to note that a parallel can be drawn with indiscriminate hunting by mostly Italian immigrants of forty-odd years ago. This problem no longer exists as the Italians became “Canadianized”, and successive generations became educated in our shools and our societal customs and beliefs. The same thing will happen with the Chinese anglers and their families, as many of them make their fishing forays a family event.

The Ontario Chinese Anglers Association, an OFAH affiliated club of 300+ members is doing its part in trying to educate its ethnic community, and the Ontario Fishing Regulations are now printed in Chinese with the translation of the current regulations being available in early April. They also make their community aware of the garbage/trash problem and instruct them on the proper way of handling and getting rid of their trash in a responsible manner. That’s more than I can say about many of our own community’s anglers. This all takes time, as does any educational process, but it is being successful and it is expanding.

What can we as responsible Ontarians and anglers, to both alleviate the problems and also to bring the Chinese community into our responsible angler fold? Here is a list of suggestions. When you come across a group of Chinese anglers…..

Ø      Approach them in a friendly manner. Ask them how they are doing and if they are having any luck.

Ø      Ask them if they have fishing licences. Explain the need for licences and the two types available to them, including the conservation licence.

Ø      Ask to see their catch. If they have out-of-season fish, point that out to them, and if the fish are still alive encourage them to release them.

Ø      If garbage is a problem, ask them to take it home with them and dispose of it in a proper manner.

Ø      If they are noisy and the hour is late, point out they may be intruding on some else’s privacy, and they should keep the noise down to a minimum.

Ø      Encourage them to join an organization such as the OCAA and the OFAH.

Ø      Should you see incidents of harassment, do not ignore them. Approach the perpetrators and if you don’t get cooperation, then notify the local authorities.

Ø      The most important thing is to be non-confrontational. Be friendly and helpful. These people are Ontario residents, the same as we are, and as such, must be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.

No one wants this problem to continue or get worse. We can do a lot to alleviate the problem though being involved in the educational process. Yes, the problem is theirs, but is also ours if we persist in letting it continue. Both tolerance and understanding of cultural differences is necessary. It’s really up to us to help our new neighbours.