As a student of history, I…

As a student of history, I am aware that American Eels were a major and important source of food for Indigenous Peoples in what is now the eastern half of Canada for many centuries including during colonial times and for many years afterwards. Eels were a reliable source of nourishment because their numbers in Canada's eastern rivers and lakes were so high. Sadly, that is no longer the case. Their numbers have dropped precipitously. I am concerned.

  American Eel are an important part of Ontario’s ecosystems. Clearly an immediate action is needed to ensure that they are not lost from Ontario. The government response statement outlines a good path forward for research and planning, but it fails to call for sufficient short-term actions. The response statement should be revised as follows:

  1) Revise Action 7 to require specific and immediate reductions in the mortality of adult eels as they migrate through hydropower facilities.

 2) Revise Action 8 to require immediate provision of upstream passage (e.g., eel ladders) for juvenile eels at barriers in the lower reaches of rivers in Ontario, including the Carillon Generating Facility at the base of the Ottawa River.

 3) Under Action 9, commit to reviewing hydropower mitigation plans for American Eel, and requiring revisions or revoking exemptions when hydropower producers fail to take reasonable steps to reduce the adverse effects of hydropower facilities on the species.

[Original Comment ID: 211902]