Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre

Spanish River Meeting brings people together

Sagamok Anishinawbek members Alexis Rivers (Gr. 8), Lexi Southwind (Gr. 8), Ray Owl (Elder/Councilor), Majorie Owl (Biidaaban Kinoomaagagamik School Principal), Zachary Mandamin (Gr. 7) and Drew Boissoneau (Gr. 7) joined the other residents of the Spanish River area at the meeting

Over 40 people attended the information sharing session at the Spanish Harbour/River Meeting held at the Pinewood Inn in Espanola October 27th, 2009.  Bill McKenna, Chair of the "Friends of the Spanish River" welcomed Anishinabek members, scientists and concerned citizens to the gathering where discussion on the health of the harbour/river dominated the day.

The gathering hosted 9 presentations on various reports on the Spanish Harbour/River, including Bruce McGregor of Sagamok Anishinawbek who presented "Spanish River Fisheries Assessments Since 2004" partnered with the Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre.

 

Area residents came together to share dialogue on the health of the Spanish Harbour/River

The Health of the Spanish River to be Discussed at Upcoming Meeting

 

The impact of industry and human pressure will be explored at an upcoming  Spanish Harbour/River Workshop scheduled for Tuesday, October 27 from 9:45 am to 4:00 pm in the Georgian Room of the Pinewood Motor Inn, Espanola

Excerp from the Mid-North Monitor...

Residents along the Spanish River and anyone else interested in the health of the major waterway are invited to attend a special meeting to find out how healthy the Spanish River really is.

Back in 1983, there was a major spill in the lower Spanish River, caused by an ‘accidental’ sewage spill from the pulp and paper mill in Espanola, which was owned by EB Eddy Limited at the time. The spill literally destroyed the river eco-system with thousands of dead fish heaped in front of the gates of the mill a day or two after the spill. The reaction to it was loud, vocal and led to many changes in environmental legislation, much of which has been implemented nearly three decades later. continued...

Dokis Fisheries Workshop a Huge Success

Workshop participants from Dokis First Nation enjoy the field session of the fisheries workshop out on the water of the French River on Lake Nipissing.

October 13th & 14th saw a very successful Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre (A/OFRC) fisheries workshop hosted by Dokis First Nation. Over 20 Elders, youth and adults came out to hear and learn from Captian Harold Michon of Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek (Rocky Bay) First Nation. Fishing rights, ethics, waste disposal, retrieving lost nets, buoys & markers, Traditional Anishinabek Knowledge and safe setting & handling of nets were just some of the things discussed during the two-day event.  "We are so grateful that Harold and his crew from Rocky Bay came all the way here to share their knowledge with us" said Chief Restoule during a feast/fish fry held to celebrate the workshop.  Youth were exceptionally excited by the trip out on the water to learn how to set and retrieve nets.  The fish caught were cooked and shared with the community for the final lunch on the last day.

 

Captain Harold Michon explains different netting techniques to the participants during the Dokis Workshop at the community centre.

 

Spanish River Lake Sturgeon Assessment 2009

Although it may be a little known or understood species to the average angler, the lake sturgeon has remained a culturally important species to many First Nation peoples within the Anishinabek Region.  Concern for the survival of sturgeon populations and the need for continued use for sustenance and spiritual traditions have resulted in repeated requests to study populations in lakes and rivers where sturgeon have been known to exist.

 

First Nations have ensured the Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre has directed resources to study this important species through our annual project proposal process.  In acknowledgement of the common interest shared between so many communities, the A/OFRC has also accessed external funding to supplement the Centre’s resources and further the study of this species.

 

As a result, the A/OFRC has become one of the few agencies in the province to work with lake sturgeon on an annual basis.  Nine years of studies working alongside community Elders and fishers who have traditional knowledge of the species has allowed the Centre a better understanding of several populations. 

 

This summer, at the request of Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation, spawning lake sturgeon were studied in the Spanish River below the dam in Espanola.  Studies were also completed by Sagamok Anishnawbek in the river in 2003, 2006 and 2008.  The intention of this 6 week study was to collect biological information and to determine the abundance of spawning individuals.

 

Nets were set below the Espanola pulp and paper mill dam.  A total of 40 Lake Sturgeon were caught with one recapture from 2006.  Fork length, total length, girth and weight were measured. Additionally, a pectoral fin clip from the first ray was removed for ageing purposes and a sample was taken to contribute to genetic research being undertaken by other organizations.  PIT tagging was used for identification and a Floy tag was attached to visually identify this year’s recaptured fish.  All other fish species netted were identified and counted.

 

Drift nets were set 18 days after the first peak of spawning males. No sturgeon fry were captured; however, there were sucker fry found in the net.  Drift netting was done again a week later however no fry were found. 

 

The results of this project will be summarized in a report and the results discussed with representatives of Sagamik Anishnawbek First Nation.

 
Fisheries Biologist Intern Sarah. A. Couchie is shown here measuring a lake sturgeon before its release.

Henvey Inlet Walleye Tagging 2009

For a second consecutive year the Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Center conducted a walleye tagging project in the Pickerel River at the request of Henvey Inlet First Nation.

 

Walleye is a culturally important fish for the First Nation and the community is concerned about the health of the population in the river.

 

 
Fisheries Intern Josh Hardy is shown here holding a walleye for the camera.

 

This was an interesting experience for A/OFRC Aboriginal Inland Habitat Technician Charles Hardy and Fisheries Intern Josh Hardy.  Charles' home community of Biinjitiwaabik Anishinaabek Zaaging and Josh's community of Red Rock First Nation are in the Superior Region.  Working in a region far south of their home region offered a chance to see many species rarely seen in their waters.

 

Netting began soon after the ice was out, running from April 21^st to May 7^th, where the water temperatures ranged from 5 – 10 degrees Celsius. Two trapnets were set and lifted every day, and the fish were sampled and released. Fish species that were captured include: walleye, redhorse suckers, channel catfish, white sucker, northern pike, muskellunge, black crappie, white crappie, rock bass, brown bullhead, lake whitefish, bowfin, and largemouth bass. This spring a total of 12 walleye were tagged, where as in 2008 a total of 16 walleye were tagged.

 

Results of this project are being compiled and when completed, the final results will be summarized in a report and discussed with representatives of Henvey Inlet First Nation.

Upcoming Commercial Fisheries Workshop - Dokis First Nation

Dokis First Nation will be hosting a Commercial Fisheries Workshop October 13th & 14th 2009.

With its unique open delivery style and opportunity to experience netting in the field, the Commercial Fisheries Workshop has become the A/OFRC's most popular workshop communities have requested in the last few years.  Credit for its popularity rests in part with participants who are considering a commercial fishing enterprise, or who wish to augment their fisheries knowledge having access to the wealth of experience and traditional knowledge of Elder Harold Michon of Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek First Nation.  With the assistance of A/OFRC staff, Harold conducts down to earth round table discussions regarding ethical fish practices, harvesting techniques and is open to questions regarding his years of commercial fishing experience and knowledge of lake structures and commercially fished species. 

The Dokis workshop will allow participants to get out on the water with experienced staff to set and lift nets.  Best use of mesh sizes and how to read lake structures will be demonstrated and discussed.  A session and exercise in using and understanding GPS technology and its application in fishing will complete the two day event.

There may be a few spots available for this workshop, please contact the Dokis First Nation Band Office at (705) 763-2200 for more information.  There is no cost for community members to attend.

The workshop agenda is can be viewed here: Download Commercial Netting Workshop Agenda.

Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation Smallmouth Bass Habitat Assessment

Aundeck-Omni-Kaning First Nation, in the interest of conservation and to protect existing smallmouth bass habitat, applied to the Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre in the fall of 2008 for assistance in conducting a shoreline survey.  A component of the work was to identify potential areas where future smallmouth bass nests could be developed.

 

  

 

Seven different locations around the First Nation were explored for possible smallmouth bass nesting habitat and habitat data was collected using 12 of the identified smallmouth bass nests.  Fieldwork for this project was conducted by A/OFRC personnel.

 

 

One of the exciting aspects of this projects was the partnership developed through common interest between Aundeck-Omni-Kaning First Nation and the Little Current Fish and Game Club.  This partnership facilitated the implementation of this project and brought together these two stakeholders in the course of investigating the preferred nesting habitat of this species.  A technical report arising from the findings of this work will assist these partners with educating their members and will provide guidance for planning conservation efforts, including the development of any additional bass nesting habitat.

 

  
Nancy Debassige, a M'Chigeeng First Nation member and A/OFRC summer student, was pleased to add to her field experience by assisting A/OFRC Biologists Kim Tremblay and Maureen Peltier with the fieldwork.

 

 

Two Exciting Employment Opportunities!

The first is a unique one-year employment opportunity for an experienced Fisheries Biologist.  The successful applicant will utilize their experience to provide project design, data analysis and to report results to First Nation communities within the Anishinabek Nation territory.  This position will be based out of our North Bay office but some travel throughout the Huron/Superior regions as well as southern Ontario will be required.

 

Information on how to apply for this position and the required qualifications can be found here Download Contract Fisheries Bio job ad.

 

Also, we are pleased to announce an opportunity for a permanent full-time Senior Fisheries Biologist.  This position will be responsible for overseeing fisheries data collection in a supervisory/quality assurance role and provide leadership to junior staff.  This position will be based out of our North Bay office, but duties will be focused on providing services to First Nation communities in the Michipicoten to Thunder Bay area including Lake Nipigon.  This position will require extensive travel.

 

Information on how to apply for this position and the full list of qualifications can be found here Download Senior Fisheries Bio job ad.