The Bay in a New Way
You could win a fishing charter for 4 people with Bay of Quinte Charters.
“The Bay in a new way” campaign is designed to inform people that the Bay is a success story and everyone can do something to keep it that way. The campaign will relate to the 10 environmental challenges (Beneficial Use Impairments - BUI) the RAP has been working to restore. There are 10 print ads that will appear throughout the year. Collect all 10 ads and email or snail mail them to us and your name will be entered in a draw to win a fishing charter for 4 people with Bay of Quinte Charters www.bayofquintecharters.com The charter is on Fridy Oct 19, 2012 but the date may change with a minimum of 2 weeks notice or you could win one of 10 ultimate RAP swag bags.
Look for the first ad starting November 10, it will run for 4 days. Check local newspapers & our web site.
This ad addresses environmental challenge - BUI # 14 - Loss of fish and wildlife habitat. To help protect fish and wildlife habitat be sure to have a naturalized shoreline. If you want ot protect, enhance, or restore a shoreline, give us a call, we can help with ideas and you might be eligible for funding assistance.
This ad addresses environmental 
challenge - BUI #6 Degradation of benthos. The types of bugs found in local waterways help to indicate its health. Certain species need clean water to survive and the Bay of Quinte is home to a number of these species. As the actions of the RAP have improved water quality in the Bay, these bugs tell us we are heading in the right direction - towards delisting.
The ad addresses environmental challenge BUI#11 Degradation of aesthetics.
The Bay is now, one of the most pictureque bodies of water in Lake Ontario. Visitors and residents alike enjoy the areas boating, fishing and other water sports. To help keep the Bay beautiful one thing to remember is, everything that goes down the storm sewer ends up in the nearest body of water. You can build a rain water garden to help filter storm water runoff, it is simple to do and benefits the Bay. Go on-line and you will find lots of ideas. Be careful when using lawn fertilizer, first purchase a zero-phosphorus variety. Take care not to get it on hard surfaces in your yard, when it rains down the storm sewer it goes right into the Bay. One of the historic issues facing the Bay has been to many nutrients i.e. Phosphorus. To much Phosphorus causes excessive growth of algae.
This ad addresses Degradation of fish and wildlife populations BUI #3
Fish and wildlife popualtions in the Bay of Quinte are healthy, diverse and abundant. To help keep them this way, you can enhance, protect or improve your shoreline.This provides spawning areas and nursery habitat for fish and other wildlife. Shoreline are often called the ribbon of life because they are so important for fish and wildlife. Use native plants along your shoreline, they have deep roots systems, to help stop erosion and have adapted to our environment.
This ad addresses Eutrophication or undesireable algae BUI #8
What eutrophication means is, there was an excess of nutrients going into the Bay from a variety of sources. The main nutrient is phosphorus which promotes excessive plant growth. It takes 1lb of phosphorus to grow 500lbs of algae. Over the years, the amount of phosphorus entering the Bay has been reduced from sources like sewage treatment plants, fertilizer run-off, and detergents. Since the Upper Bay is a shallow slow moving body of water, monitoring the amounts and sources of phosphorus inputs is vital to the continued health of the Bay. Remember everything that goes down the storm sewer go directly in to the nearest body of water and that is either a tributary of the Bay or the Bay itself. Storm sewers are another source of phosphorus. You can help by purchasing zero phosphorus lawn fertilizer, the middle number on the bag is the phosphorus 12 - 0 - 3.
Degradation of phytoplankton and zooplankton populations - BUI # 13
The food chain is a comples system that requires a balance of prey and predators. It all starts with the small aquatic creatures at the bottom of the food chain, the phytoplankton and zooplankton.
Restriction on fish and wildlife consumption BUI # 1
The Bay of Quinte has some of the best fishing in Lake Ontario. The RAP is currently waiting for the results of the 2011 fish analysis. Previous data has shown a positive trend towards changing the status of this BUI. Always follow the consumption recommendations in Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish.