CHATSWORTH - The Ernie Eves government invested $6.5 million in reconstruction of the Chatsworth Fish Culture Station, making it the most modern fish culture station in the province, Natural Resources Minister Jerry Ouellette said today at the official grand opening of the expanded facility.

The reconstructed fish culture station now features new indoor rearing facilities, quarantine rooms, a computerized and automated feeding system and improved waste water treatment.

"The upgrade and expansion of this facility is an example of the Ontario government's strong support for fisheries management," said Ouellette. "It's also an example of our ongoing commitment to rehabilitate lake trout stocks in the Great Lakes and Lake Simcoe."

"The recently completed renovations could nearly double the station's fish rearing capacity to 2.8 million fish annually," said MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, Bill Murdoch. "This makes it a North American leader in fish production and ensures it will play a crucial role in helping to sustain and expand fish populations in the Great Lakes."

The Chatsworth fish hatchery, which has been in operation for about 70 years, required major rehabilitation that took two years of construction. Fish-rearing operations were maintained during this period. Chatsworth produces lake trout for stocking mainly Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.

Contact:

Gord Prisco
Minister's Office
(416) 314-2212

John Sager
Manager, Chatsworth Fish Culture Station
(519) 794-2340