Entries by Robert

MNRF Releases Provincial Fish Strategy

June 21, 2015 in /by

In April 2015, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry launched the Provincial Fish Strategy, Fish for the Future, to provide up-to-date direction for the management of Ontario’s fish, fisheries and supporting ecosystems. The Strategy was developed through extensive input and the engagement of Aboriginal communities, agency partners and key stakeholders.

Conference report: muskellunge science and management: progress through partnerships

May 11, 2015 in /by

Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) are an elusive yet highly prized species in eastern North America that can attain trophy sizes. As a result, a dedicated catch-and-release recreational Muskellunge fishery has developed throughout their range. Management of this fishery has largely been facilitated by partnerships between anglers, researchers, and managers. To explore and encourage interactions among these groups a 2-day workshop was held in Ottawa, Canada in August 2014. Three key themes emerged from presentations at this workshop highlighting: 1) the success of Muskellunge management in most of their natural range, 2) knowledge gaps regarding their habitat requirements at various life-stages, and 3) the utility of genetic tools to assist with their management.

Recovery of a Mining-damaged Stream Ecosystem

March 27, 2015 in /by

This paper presents a 30+ year record of changes in benthic macroinvertebrate communities and fish populations associated with improving water quality in mining-influenced streams. Panther Creek, a tributary to the Salmon River in central Idaho, USA suffered intensive damage from mining and milling operations at the Blackbird Mine that released copper (Cu), arsenic (As), and cobalt (Co) into tributaries. From the 1960s through the 1980s, no fish and few aquatic invertebrates could be found in 40 km of mine-affected reaches of Panther Creek downstream of the metals contaminated tributaries, Blackbird and Big Deer Creeks.

Salmonid Field Protocols Handbook

March 17, 2015 in /by

State of the Salmon joined forces with public, tribal and private organizations along with individuals around the North Pacific to identify and articulate the best available salmon monitoring practices. We gathered these principles and tools into the Salmonid Field Protocols Handbook: Techniques for assessing status and trends in salmon and trout populations (https://doi.org/10.47886/9781888569926).

An Updated Assessment of Human Activities, the Environment, and Freshwater Fish Biodiversity in Canada

November 10, 2014 in /by

Changes in resource development and expansions of urban centres suggest that the intensity and types of anthropogenic stressors affecting Canada’s watersheds are changing. Chu et al. (2003) integrated indices of freshwater fish biodiversity, environmental conditions, and anthropogenic stress to identify priority watersheds for conservation and management. Here, we update those indices using recent climate and census data to assess changes through time. We also applied different conservation and management scenarios to evaluate the robustness of our prioritization approach. Between time periods, the environmental and stress indices expanded northward because of warmer temperatures at higher latitudes and more intense anthropogenic stress in the northern regions of the provinces.

William Beverley “Bev” Scott (1917-2014)

August 20, 2014 in /by

The Ontario Chapter was saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. William Beverley (Bev) Scott on Monday, August 18, 2014. Bev was a strong supporter of the American Fisheries Society and the Ontario Chapter and had just turned 97 in July.  Dr. Scott was curator of ichthyology at the Royal Ontario Museum from 1950 to […]

The Lake Superior Aquatic Invasive Species Guide

August 9, 2014 in /by

Lake Superior has extraordinary aquatic life, supported by cool coastlines, pristine islands, diverse coastal wetlands, extensive sandy beaches, and the coldest and deepest waters in the Great Lakes. It is the world’s largest freshwater lake by area.  Lake Superior has a relatively simple food web, which means it is especially vulnerable to damage from invasive […]

Guidelines for the Use of Fishes in Research

August 9, 2014 in /by

Guidelines for the Use of Fishes in Research (https://doi.org/10.47886/9781934874394) aids researchers and regulatory authorities regarding responsible, scientifically valid research on fish and aquatic wildlife. The document is intended to provide general recommendations on field and laboratory research, such as sampling, holding, and handling fishes; to offer information on administrative matters, including regulations and permits; and […]