Lake Nipissing walleye and ways to ensure their sustainability will be the focus of a $75,000 study announced this afternoon by Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli.
It's part of a $1.2 million Trillium grant.
Fedeli says the study will focus on answering some important questions.
"Is Lake Nipissing truly stressed? We've heard from the government that it is but we want to know. Number two, what caused it? And what can be done to remedy that?
Fedeli says it will be a peer review that will give definitive answers. It will be an independent third party, science-based review that will tell us if something is wrong with the lake.
"It's an important part of our community. It's an important part of our history and it's been an integral part of our tourism which is part of the fabric of our community."
The North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce will be in charge of the study.
President Jake Lacourse told BayToday that it's a clear example of the Chamber recognizing the economic impact of the lake, and is a way it can spearhead an initiative that will provide concrete recommendations.
"It will take in all facets of research and interests of stakeholders at the table to be able to put a plan together so that those stakeholders can take each of the recommendations and perhaps apply for their own funding based on science-based approaches to how we can rejuvenate this lake.
"We've been trying to educate anglers that there are so many other species of sport fish in the lake that are great to target, to try and take the attention off of walleye specifically.
"This will provide us with a clear roadmap."
