The Cedar Lake Walleye and Northern Pike Fisheries has achieved MSC-certification – the second freshwater fishery in the province of Manitoba and only the third in Canada to enter the MSC programme.
Following a 13-month assessment, the fishery was independently certified by third-party auditor Lloyd’s Register that scored the fishery against 28 detailed MSC performance indicators related to stock health, overall environmental impact, and effective management. MSC certification is expected to help secure broader access to both domestic and international markets for the fishery’s artisanal products.
‘Congratulations to Cedar Lake Fisheries on their achievement as a well-managed and sustainable freshwater commercial fishery,’ said Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada.
‘Becoming an MSC eco-certified fishery is a great accomplishment that will contribute to the livelihood of fishers and their families, and their communities of Chemawawin Cree Nation and the nearby Métis community of Easterville. Indigenous fishers have been leaders in sustainability for generations and this recognition will help them gain access to market demand for sustainably harvested fish.’
Cedar Lake is located approximately 460 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg and is the province’s fourth largest commercial fishery. It is expected add approximately 135 tonnes of Northern pike and 220 tonnes of walleye to the provincial volume of MSC certified lake fish.
‘Everyone who worked towards the Cedar Lake fishery certification has demonstrated that fisheries of all sizes, compositions, and located everywhere in the world can meet a global standard like the MSC Fisheries Standard for sustainable fishing,’ said Kurtis Hayne, Program Director for the MSC in Canada.
MSC certification of the fishery is the result of a multi-year collaboration between the fish harvesters of Cedar Lake Fisheries Inc., the Chemawawin Cree Nation, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), and the province of Manitoba.
It is supported by the ISC’s Indigenous Inland Commercial Fisheries Initiative (IICFI) that brings together federal, provincial, and Indigenous partners in Manitoba and Saskatchewan to sustain and grow the Indigenous commercial fishing industry.
‘We are extremely proud of what our fishers have achieved with the support of our partners,’ said Floyd George, President of Cedar Lake Fisheries Inc.
‘Being able to scientifically demonstrate the sustainability of our fishery through MSC certification will support not only the long-term health of our lake but also our community because credible sustainable management is what buyers demand.’
The small scale, artisanal fishery provides jobs for approximately 90 fishers, helpers and fish shed workers from the Chemawawin Cree Nation and the Metis community of Easterville.
There are two distinct seasons, with a summer fishing season from 1st June to 31st October 31, conducted from small fibreglass or aluminium boats, and a winter season, 1st November to 31st March, conducted on ice with snowmobiles and Bombardiers for transportation.
