Anglers in northwestern Ontario worry the
American White Pelican — designated a species-at-risk by the Ministry of
Natural Resources — will gobble up sport fish in the area's popular
lakes. (JD Taylor)
The Ministry of Natural Resources is now enforcing specific habitat
protection for several species at risk in Ontario — and one of them is
the American White Pelican. However, some anglers are concerned the big
bird is invading their lake.
The president of the Kenogamisis Fish and Game Club said the population of American White Pelicans on Lake Kenogamisis in the Geraldton area has exploded in the last five years.
“We view them as an invasive species,” Michel LaFrance said. “The amount of food needed to sustain [them] could start depleting our population of fish, and we're scared that it's going to disrupt the natural ecosystem.”
Ontario's white pelicans nest primarily on two lakes in the northwest — Lake of the Woods and Lake Nipigon. But the birds can fly hundreds of kilometres away to get food.
MNR biologist Glenn Desy said he's not aware of damage to lake ecosystems and noted the pelicans don't eat a lot of sport fish.
“I think there's a history of misunderstanding of pelican diet, and potential impact to fish stocks in lakes that folks are generally interested in,” he said.
Still, LaFrance said he hopes the number of pelicans on Lake Kenogamisis doesn't continue to grow.
The Ministry of Natural Resources can lay charges for disturbing or destroying habitat within 300 metres of a pelican nesting colony.
“Pelican(s) are often viewed as a possible competition for sport fish by some folks, and I think there's a history of harassment and persecution of pelicans because of that,” Desy said.
The MNR is also enforcing habitat protection for three other species at risk: Northern Barrens Tiger Beetle, the Pale Bellied Frost Lichen, and a herb called the Virginia Mallow.
The president of the Kenogamisis Fish and Game Club said the population of American White Pelicans on Lake Kenogamisis in the Geraldton area has exploded in the last five years.
“We view them as an invasive species,” Michel LaFrance said. “The amount of food needed to sustain [them] could start depleting our population of fish, and we're scared that it's going to disrupt the natural ecosystem.”
Ontario's white pelicans nest primarily on two lakes in the northwest — Lake of the Woods and Lake Nipigon. But the birds can fly hundreds of kilometres away to get food.
MNR biologist Glenn Desy said he's not aware of damage to lake ecosystems and noted the pelicans don't eat a lot of sport fish.
“I think there's a history of misunderstanding of pelican diet, and potential impact to fish stocks in lakes that folks are generally interested in,” he said.
Still, LaFrance said he hopes the number of pelicans on Lake Kenogamisis doesn't continue to grow.
The Ministry of Natural Resources can lay charges for disturbing or destroying habitat within 300 metres of a pelican nesting colony.
“Pelican(s) are often viewed as a possible competition for sport fish by some folks, and I think there's a history of harassment and persecution of pelicans because of that,” Desy said.
The MNR is also enforcing habitat protection for three other species at risk: Northern Barrens Tiger Beetle, the Pale Bellied Frost Lichen, and a herb called the Virginia Mallow.
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