We would like to learn more about the type of fish people are eating from the Spanish Harbour Area of Concern in Recovery (Spanish Harbour), how much they are eating and how often. The information collected in this survey will remain confidential and will be used to help guide decisions on the status of the Spanish Harbour Area of Concern in Recovery and to improve the provincial Guide to Eating Ontario Fish.  

The information is being gathered by Red Sky Métis Independent Nation for the Remedial Action Plan team (Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, and Environment and Climate Change Canada), that is working with others on monitoring the health of the Spanish Harbour.

We are not interested in knowing if you have a fishing license and will not be asking any questions related to any laws. Survey responses will be summarized and will not be linked to an individual.

Spanish Harbour was designated an Area of Concern in Recovery (AOCiR) in 1999, when all actions recommended in the Remedial Action Plan were completed. However, two of the nine beneficial use impairments remain, including Restrictions on Fish and Wildlife Consumption and Degradation of Benthos.

Over time fish consumption advisories have become less restrictive within the Spanish Harbour AOCiR and overall fish caught in Spanish Harbour have similar advisories to other Lake Huron locations. The exception are the bottom-feeding White Sucker and Channel Catfish, but the Guide to Eating Ontario Fish (www.ontario.ca/fishguide) still allows for 2 meals/month for both.