Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre

Stop the Transmission of Aquatic Invasive Species VIDEO CONTEST

The deadline for the Video Contest has been extended to March 30, 2011.

Click the 'Video Contest' tab on the right sidebar for the official rules and guidelines and how to enter.

 

2012 Fishing & The Future Calendars Available

The A/OFRC's 2012 Fishing & The Future Art Contest Calendar is available for free!  All calendars feature inspiring artwork by Anishinabek youth; and include valuable on-the-water tips, moons, and all holidays.

Email mpeltier@aofrc.org or call (705) 472-7888 extension 8 for your copy today! 

REGISTER NOW!

 
GOAL: The goal of this workshop is so that participants gain an understanding of different fisheries assessment techniques and when they should be applied. The participant will gain experience in: project design and methodology, the identification of fish species, biological sampling protocols, and how to interpret fisheries data.

PRESENTED BY: Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre (A/OFRC)

CONTENT: A/OFRC staff will present information on: types of fisheries assessment gear, standardized fisheries assessment protocols, biological sampling methods, and data analysis and interpretation. A local lake will be used as a case study, so that participants will experience the total process: project design, field work, and data analysis.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Natural resources personnel who are employed by First Nation offices, or community members who are interested in this field of work.

REGISTRATION: To register please contact Kim Tremblay no later than October 7th, 2011 (contact information below). Workshop size will be limited to 20 participants.

FORMAT: A full two day workshop (9:00 -4:30) to be held in Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation at the Band Office located at 25 Reserve Road Naughton, Ontario. Much of the workshop will be interactive discussions and hands-on field work. Please dress accordingly and be prepared to work outside in all weather conditions (i.e. closed toed shoes or rubber boots, hat, rain suit, gloves). Safety gear (i.e. life jackets) will be provided.

COST: There is no fee for this workshop, but participants must fund their own travel.

MEALS: We will provide lunches Wednesday & Thursday on site.

 
ktremblay@aofrc.org

NEWS RELEASE: Lake Wanapitei Fall Walleye Index Netting (FWIN)

The Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre (A/OFRC) is conducting a Fall Walleye Index Netting (FWIN) project on Lake Wanapitei commencing October 3, 2011 and running until October 14th, 2011. The FWIN will follow provincial standards documented in the Fall Walleye Index Netting (FWIN) Manual of Instructions (Morgan 2002). This project will implement gill netting in two separate depth strata (2-5m and 5-15m) at randomly chosen locations.

The main objective of this FWIN is to assess current relative abundance and other biological information on the Walleye (Sander vitreus) of Lake Wanapitei. The information gathered from this project will be analyzed and compared to previous Lake Wanapitei FWIN data (2004). A report of this data will be released to the First Nation and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) as it becomes available.

The A/OFRC is a not for profit organization that serves as an independent source of information. The Centre provides information and advice on sustainable fisheries management, and reports on stock status, evaluates fish populations and habitats and offers management recommendations.

 
 
 
  

4th Annual Sturgeon and Paddlefish Conference July 12 – 14th, Nanaimo BC

 
Approximately 200 enthusiastic biologists, researchers, managers, and enthusiasts met at the International Centre for Sturgeon Studies (Vancouver Island University) for the fourth annual Sturgeon and Paddlefish Conference this past July. Included in this group was A/OFRC biologist Kim Tremblay. The focus of the conference was “Sturgeon Recovery and Management.”

“North America is fortunate to have many different types of species of sturgeon, with some of the healthiest populations still remaining, and some of the longest running restoration programs in existence. So there is much to learn from each other’s experiences. This is especially important since the Federal and Provincial Governments are in the midst of creating sturgeon management plans.”

The first day of the conference began with a special session focused on the recovery and management programs for each species across North America with the next two days consisting of presentations ranging from general biology, and physiology, early life history, behavior, aquaculture, risks to population and recovery, to capture and monitoring methods.

As one of the presenters, Kim highlighted the work that First Nations have completed through the A/OFRC with regards to Lake Sturgeon, titled, “First Nations leading lake sturgeon research in Ontario by voicing concern, conducting scientific studies, and building capacity.” There was a good response to the message that First Nation communities are an integral part of the equation for the future of sturgeon, and that they should be included in the management and recovery plans and that these communities have inherent knowledge that is not being utilized to its full potential.

Mrs. Tremblay also found it encouraging seeing other First Nations’ work with Lake Sturgeon. Jean Francois Dery, a researcher at University of Quebec Abitibi-Témiscamingue, presented “Intrapopulation variation in seasonal movements of lake sturgeon,” work that was completed with Kitcisakik First Nation in Quebec.

If you are interested in more information for future meetings you can go to the World Sturgeon Conservation Society’s webpage http://www.wscs.info as Sturgeon populations will only benefit from more involvement of First Nation communities in forums such as these.

Draft Lake Sturgeon Recovery Strategy needs INPUT

The updated draft Lake Sturgeon Recovery Strategy was posted on Ontario’s Environmental Registry on May 13, 2011.

At this stage, the public and Aboriginal communities are invited to review the draft strategy and provide any additional information, including community and Aboriginal traditional knowledge.

Comments must be received before June 13, 2011 after which the recovery strategy will be finalized.

To view the notice, please visit: www.ontario.ca/environmentalregistry and enter 011-3464 in the search area.

The Draft Recovery Strategy for Lake Sturgeon in Ontario is available here: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Species/2ColumnSubPage/264191.html

 
 

Earth Day - April 22nd

This Earth Day (and every day) you can take steps to lessen your impact and create a better planet for fish, wildlife and their habitat. Since 1970, Earth Day has been observed around the world as a day to raise environmental awareness and involve people and communities in creating a healthier world. We are all aware of climate change and this is perhaps one of the biggest challenges to the world’s waterbodies and wildlife. This year take action by participating in some of these fish and wildlife related activities:

Energy conservation: paddle your boat or canoe instead of using a gas powered engine, and consider switching to newer, energy efficient motors

Water conservation: never dump anything into the water, keep your shorelines natural to prevent erosion and sedimentation, use a reusable bottle for drinking water, have your septic pumped out and inspected regularly

Waste reduction: pack a litter-less lunch for your outing and pick up any litter you see

Transportation alternatives: walk to your favourite fishing hole

Green gardening and lawn care: pull out invasive plant species, plant only native species, forego fertilizers

Conscientious consumerism: look for bait in your backyard or use a minnow trap, never dump your bait into a different waterbody, buy less, use less and recycle what’s left behind

 
An old man was planting a tree when somebody asked him “why plant that which he cannot live long enough to enjoy.” The old man answered “just as my grandparents planted a tree to which I've been nourished, so I plant for my grandchildren.”

Fishing & The Future Art Contest Winners

Chi-miigwetch (big thank you) to the students who submitted their amazing pieces of artwork! The concept of the ‘Fishing & The Future Art Contest’ was “what do you think fishing will be like in the future?” Entries were received from across Ontario and ranged from the bleak empty lake to many creative fishing inventions. Participating communities included Algonquins of Pikwakanagan, Zhiibaahaasing, Long Lake #58, Wikwemikong, Beausoleil, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishnaabek, Muncey-Delaware, Chippewas of the Thames and M’Chigeeng First Nation. Selected artwork will be featured in a 2012 calendar that will be available this summer.

  
Terrel, Migizi Wazisin Elementary School, Long Lake #58 First Nation. Terrel received a Sony Cyber-shot 14 MP Digital Camera for his artwork.

 
Aubrey, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishnaabek School, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek. Aubrey received an 8GB Ipod Touch for her artwork.

  
Dylan, Opeongo High School, Algonquins of Pikwakanagan. Dylan will receive a Compaq Presario 15” Laptop for his artwork.

A/OFRC Internships

Since 2007, the A/OFRC has had eight interns come through its doors. Seven of which have gone on to successfully attain jobs within the fisheries sector or in their home community. One is currently in her second year of internship. All interns receive required training in Small Commercial Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP), Small Non-Pleasure Vessel Basic Safety (MED A3), First Aid and WHMIS. The ability to conduct various types of field projects, attend fisheries conferences and undertake additional training are three of the main highlights every intern has benefited from.

Nikki Commanda, who has since moved on to become a Fisheries Biologist for Nipissing First Nation’s Natural Resource Department, found her experience at the A/OFRC beneficial in enhancing her technical and report writing skills. She focused her writing on Traditional Ecological Knowledge and completed numerous projects involving lake sturgeon and habitat identification and classification.

Jenna MacLaurin is currently fulfilling her second year as an intern. So far, Jenna has found the field work to be enjoyable due to the ability to travel to different places within Ontario. Her accomplishments in conducting field projects and report writing have helped fine tune her college education. From her experience, Jenna noted that, being adaptable is a good quality to have “only because you never know when you’ll find yourself in situations that aren’t the greatest and you still need to effectively get your work done.” (In the spring of 2010, Jenna found herself pulling an 18’ boat through less than a foot of water in sections of a river that were rapids the week before!)

If you are interested in the A/OFRC Internship program, send a resume and cover letter to  Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre, 755 Wallace Rd. Unit 5, North Bay, ON P1B 8G4.

Jenna and Sarah getting ready to survey Jerry's Lake, August 2010.

Aquatic Resource Field Camp

Spots are still available for the 2011 Aquatic Resource Field Camp!  Apply now!  The application form is available by clicking the follwing link:

Download Aquatic Resource Field Camp APPLICATION

The Field Camp is open to First Nation students who are interested in the field of science and fisheries.  You need to be in highschool or entering a related college or university program in the Fall of 2010.  You will need to write a letter/essay and get a recommendation letter from a teacher, advisor or counsellor.  All information should be faxed to (705) 472-6333.

Topics will include fisheries ecology and assessments, wetlands, animal ecology, stream/river study, environmental conservation and weather to name a few!  Each course will be complemented with activities such as hiking, canoeing, biking and swimming.  Campfires, night howling and night-vision monoculars will also be a part of Field Camp!

The A/OFRC will cover complete lodging, boarding and camp materials.