Fonds F1340 - John William Kerr fonds

John William Kerr was a well-known fishing inspector and leader in early initiatives to protect Ontario's valuable fish and game resources.Kerr's concern over the declining fish and game in the Hamilton and Burlington area led him to become a founding member of the Wentworth Society for the Protection of Game and Fish, established in 1860. Four years later, he was appointed a Fisheries Overseer with jurisdiction over the lakeshore and rivers between Hamilton and Toronto. His territory was soon extended to the Niagara River and then along the shore of Lake Erie to Long Point. Kerr was one of the first to lobby for the creation of fishery reserves for sport fishing and fish hatcheries. Kerr served in his role as Overseer until his death in 1888, at which time he was succeeded by his sons Frederick and Charles.