OFA provides comments to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry regarding Fisheries Management Zone 16 – Consultation on Planning Approaches. OFA’s interest in fisheries generally relates to their presence in municipal drains and/or agricultural ditches and the impact on their maintenance. It is important to remember that many of the province’s ditches and drains were constructed for agricultural drainage purposes, at the expense of farmers, and were never intended as fish habitat. OFA believes that collaboration with an Inter-Agency Committee and relevant associations is the best approach. Relevant associations include OFA’s sister Ministries such as the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), municipalities and perhaps drainage engineers. It is essential that these groups are included to ensure compliance can be maintained with other regulatory requirements such as the Drainage Act, and other practical maintenance issues while planning FMZ16.