The Anishinaabeg of Naongashiing First Nation (AON) of Ontario has long depended on fishing, hunting, trapping and forestry for its livelihood. Now this community of fewer than 200 resident community members is developing a Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) land-based aquaculture project according to an article in the Fort Francis Times.
The AON has secured two properties on Big Island. One aims to produce fish for human consumption such as rainbow trout, and a second would produce walleye fry that would be grown and released into local waters to enhance existing stocks. conserves water by circulating it though a filtration system so it can be used again. The water treatment systems provide flexibility so that water sourced from wells, municipal systems, ground water, rivers, streams or lakes can be used.
Fishing has always been a central component of AON’s economy and fishing has, in recent years, represented the principal export revenue source for the community during the summer months. The community currently owns the largest commercial fishing quota in a treaty that dates to 1873. AON is now looking to grow its economy and, as the community’s motto outlines, “to ensure, enhance, and protect the culture, traditions, land, language, resources, health, social and economic wellbeing of our community.”
The AON aquaculture team has worked with Waubetek Business Development Corporation (WBDC), an Indigenous-owned and controlled organization that provides economic development services and business financing to Ontario First Nations. WBDC manages and facilitates Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (NICFI).
“It has been a long time since our community has been this excited and motivated,” said Sonny McGinnis is AON’s Economic Development Officer and the aquaculture project coordinator. “We not only have the opportunity to further develop our economy and create solid, long-term employment but we will greatly contribute to the long-term subsistence, recreational and commercial fishing activities for ourselves and surrounding First Nation communities.”
Once fully operational, the enhancement component is projected to produce and release up to 245,000 walleye into Lake-of-the-Woods. The hatchery will begin operations annually in late Spring with approximately half a million larvae. Five weeks later about 120,000 1 to 2 gram walleye will be released and in the Fall, another 125,000 larger 30 to 60 gram walleye will be released into the lake. The success of this process will depend on the lake’s capacity to feed the additional walleye.
“A lake has limited natural resources available to provide the food required by walleye to thrive,” said Albert Handorgan, the community’s hatchery project leader. “But the sheer size of the lake combined with sound and balanced fishing practices will ensure the strong, long-term supply of walleye for generations to come.”
The commercial land-based aquaculture facility is currently being projected to produce 150,000 tons of rainbow trout per year in full operation but open to incorporating another species such as arctic char or white fish.
