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Fishing problems.

A Ministry of Natural Resources official says John Perks of Meaford is losing his fishing licence, one way or the other. Rob Gibson, a local MNR Enforcement Supervisor, says the ministry is trying to finalize a fishing agreement for 2005 with Chippewas of Nawash and Cape Croker native communities. That agreement would see an expansion of the native fishing territory into Perk's territory, which Gibson says runs from Owen Sound bay, half-way over to Collingwood, and some 8 miles out from shore. Gibson says one option for the 2005 agreement is an agreed upon buy-out by the MNR of the licence for John Perks Fishery Limited. But even if Perks declines to sell his licence, Gibson says the MNR will continue to find a way to get it through legal action or the courts.

Gibson says that may include simply not issuing Perks' licence this year -- an action Perks would have to appeal through an inquiry board. Perks himself previously told CFOS news his one boat and four employees are already not fishing this month after actions taken by the MNR. Gibson would not comment on why native fishing communities get another fishery's territory seemingly automatically.

Senior officials at the MNR have not yet commented on that point.