The Fisheries of an Ojibwa Community in Northern Ontario

Abstract

Subsistence fishing provides an important source of food for the remote Ojibwa community of Webequie, located along the Winisk River in northern Ontario. Field observations during the summer of 1988 were combined with a recall survey to estimate catches from October 1987 through September 1988. Of 133 potential fishermen, 90 were surveyed. The total community harvest was estimated to be 83,810 fish, round weight 108,210 kg. After adjustments, this provided 118 kg round weight/person/year, or 0.21 kg/person/day edible fish for consumption. Lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), northern pike (Esox lucius) and suckers (Catostomus commersoni and C. catostomus) were dominant in the catch. Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fluvescens) attracts special fishing effort. Older males (>40 years old) are the primary fishermen. Fixed gill nets take 95% of the harvest, most of which is consumed. Commercial fishing seems to be disappearing. Recreational fishing is a potential source of revenue. Subsistence fishing tends to be overlooked in development and management schemes but is clearly an important activity.

Key words: subsistence fishing, Ojibwa, native harvest survey, northern Ontario fisheries