Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre

Protection through Knowledge Symposium

Biologist Kim Tremblay was in Val D’or, Quebec on February 23rd for the Kikenimatan wetan kitci nakitenimaik Lake Sturgeon, protection through knowledge Symposium. The symposium was organized by Kitcisakik Anicinapek community in collaboration with the Lac Simon Anishnabe and Long Point First Nation communities.

Over 100 participants from various aboriginal communities, government departments, industries and other local actors concerned by a common issue were in attendance. The goals were: to develop aboriginal and non aboriginal communities’ awareness on the Lake Sturgeon’s current status and conservation issues (biodiversity and cultural practices); to communicate the cultural significance of Lake Sturgeon for First Nations; to develop collaboration between the actors with a view to implementing a sustainable management of Lake Sturgeon populations; to share traditional and scientific knowledge by exchanging each one’s experience and expertise; to explain each one’s roles and responsibilities regarding the protection of Lake Sturgeon; and to propose solutions for the conservation of the species. The main themes addressed were: cultural significance of Lake Sturgeon, traditional and scientific knowledge, Lake Sturgeon status, conservation issues and completed or on-going research or field projects.

Mrs. Tremblay’s presentation included highlights of some of the Lake Sturgeon projects that the A/OFRC has completed over the years and the role that Lake Sturgeon play in First Nation communities within Ontario. Presenters from the Algonquin Nations also provided stories of the cultural significance of Lake Sturgeon and any language barriers were broken when all presentations were translated into French, English, and Algonquin. Mrs. Tremblay also participated in a plenary session in which the goal was to identify potential solutions to ensure the conservation of Lake Sturgeon.

Mrs. Tremblay would like to extend a big thank you to Amandine Jean from Kitcisakik Anicinapek for organizing such an excellent event and look forward to future discussions on project design, results, and community involvement.

 

Biologist Kim Tremblay participates in a plenary session to identify potential solutions to ensure the conservation of Lake Sturgeon. Photo courtesy of Amandine Jean.

Fishing & the Future Art Contest

Thank you to all of those who entered our “Fishing & the Future” Art Contest! We are currently going through all of the entries – they are all amazing! We will be contacting those who will be awarded prizes soon. The prizes include a digital camera (Grade 4-6), 8GB Ipod (Grade 7-9) and a laptop (Grade 10-12). Entries will be posted on our website in the near future.

CCFFR was a great time!

Biologist Kim Tremblay presented her poster “Georgina Island Shoreline Rehabilitation” at the Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research in Toronto, ON. Rachel Big Canoe, from the Chippewas of Georgina Island and a collaborative partner, was delighted to hear that the project would be presented at the conference. She remarked “the rehabilitation project was a shining example of different organizations working together to achieve a common goal.” As a result of the conference, another possible partnership is in discussion between Mrs. Tremblay and Dr. Pat Chow-Fraser of McMaster University to discuss working on wetlands on the North Channel of Lake Huron this upcoming field season.

You learn something new every day.

Biologist Intern Jenna MacLaurin was also extremely pleased with her first CCFFR experience. An interesting concept that had her eager to enlighten us with was fish with shy and bold personalities! The work tested the potential effects of individual behavioural tactics on the strength and retention of learned predator cues in juvenile rainbow trout. Trout were conditioned or pseudoconditioned to recognize pumpkinseed as a predator. Ultimately, conditioned ‘shy’ trout displayed a response to the pumpkinseed odour. Next year’s CCFFR will be held in Moncton, NB.

What’s new in Fisheries Research?

A contingent of A/OFRC staff will find out exactly that when they attend the 2011 Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research (CCFFR) January 7 & 8 in Toronto, Ontario. The CCFFR has been meeting annually for over 60 years and they meet once a year in early January. This conference is a forum where researchers and graduate students present and discuss the latest advances in freshwater and marine fish and fisheries research.

The overall programme themes vary from year to year but typically focus on aquatic and fish/fisheries science advances and the ability of new research to provide predictions and solutions for various problems. Some of the themes for 2011 include: Restoration of Aquatic Habitats and Fishes, Algal Blooms: Incidences and Responses, Effects of Energy and Mass Flux on Ecosystems, Science and Management of Introduced Aquatic Species and Effects of Recent Climate Change on Lakes. Conference presentations will reflect bold, imaginative, and credible science while papers are expected from individual and team research initiatives among the academic, government and private sectors. Biologist Kim Tremblay will present her poster entitled “Georgina Island Shoreline Rehabilitation”.  (Download CCFFR2011 Poster)

 

 

For more information on the conference visit http://www.phys.ocean.dal.ca/ccffr /

 

Up to the Gills in Media

Courtesy of Clark Marketing Communications, the Fisheries Resouce Centre staff has become well versed in the world of media. A week was dedicated specifically to media and facilitation training where the staff here at the A/OFRC learned the various components of effective communication, media and public events, social media, and facilitation. Exercises such as a Myers Briggs Type Indicator test and on-camera interviews were also completed. The different types of social media were delved into to get a sense of the abundance of online marketing opportunities. When asked for his thoughts at the week’s end, General Manager Ed Desson replied “the media training provided by Clark Communications was superb! It was exactly what I was looking for.”

 

First Stage of Proposal Review Complete

The Projects Committee met this past Sunday to have their first review of the project proposals. Each proposal is reviewed by looking at a number of concepts such as: project relevance, economic value, stakeholder commitment, and whether it is scientifically sound and promotes educational and scientific development. A grade is then given to each according to whether the proposal fits all criteria, or needs more information or is of no relevance. Community representatives will be notified by A/OFRC Staff if more information or significant changes are required.

The second stage of review will occur in early February where the focus will be on merit, budgets and other considerations, and is measured against A/OFRC staffing abilities and equipment availability.

First Nation Chief and Councils will receive a response to their proposal submission by the end of February. At this time, local or area OMNR offices are also informed by letter, of our intent to conduct the approved projects.

A/OFRC staff are looking forward to the 2011 field season!

DO YOU LOVE TO DRAW?

Download Art Contest Entry Form 2010 

 

Contest Rules

1. Entries will be judged on the quality of the artwork and artistic interpretation.

2. All artwork must be the contestant's own original creation.

3. All artwork must be horizontal, 8.5" by 11", without a mat, frame, cover sheet or border.

4. Please do not put your name or contact info on the front of the design.

5. Only one entry per student will be accepted.

 

Are you coming to the Commercial Netting Workshop?

It’s being held at the Fort William First Nation Community Centre from November 16th to the 18th (Tuesday to Thursday). We will be discussing topics such as the history of commercial fishing on Lakes Nipigon and Superior, commercial quotas, fish management and self management, netting equipment, and fish storage and containment. We will also be doing demonstrations on trapnets and GPS units. Throughout the workshop we will be learning how to construct gill nets to different specifications and all workshop participants will get the opportunity to build these nets! If you would like more information, you can call Ed Collins at (807) 623-9543 or just stop by at the Community Centre. See you there!

Project Proposal Deadline – Oct. 31st!

Just a quick reminder - the deadline for the submission of your First Nation’s Project Proposals is fast approaching.  October 31st, 2010 is the last day for your community to submit your proposals for fisheries projects for the 2011/12 field season.

Proposal forms can be found on your Fisheries Proposal CD. As well as here.

Please contact our office if you require assistance in completing the forms or if you have any questions.

World Sturgeon Conservation Society Delegates Excited to Hear About Pic River Lake Sturgeon

 
Biologists and lake sturgeon enthusiasts from around North America gathered this past August for the World Sturgeon Conservation Society’s Annual Meeting in Bozeman, Montana. Andrew Ecclestone, who has been studying the Pic River lake sturgeon populations with the support of the Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre for the past two years, delivered an entertaining and informative presentation to an appreciative audience. Delegates, especially from Ontario and other Great Lakes States, were excited to hear about the progress and success of the Pic River Lake Sturgeon Project.

Andrew, a Trent University Master’s candidate, is completing his thesis. Mr. Ecclestone, “found it beneficial to hear about other ongoing lake sturgeon projects within the Great Lakes region and to network with fellow biologists,” when asked about attending the sturgeon conference. “It has been exciting and rewarding to work on the Pic River Lake Sturgeon Project. Throughout the course of this experience, I have developed a greater appreciation and respect for this region and for its people, its wildlife, and the environment.”

 
Andrew Ecclestone holding a sturgeon captured from the Pic River.

Preliminary conclusions highlighted in his presentation included: the unusual abiotic conditions observed in 2010 (i.e. higher spring/summer temperatures; low flows and spring runoff) resulted in lake sturgeon utilizing different areas of the Pic River or not entering the river at all; that larger and more mature lake sturgeon will undertake substantially further migrations compared to smaller lake sturgeon in order to gain access to higher quality foraging habitat; and, spawning migrations and spawning time were roughly 1 month earlier in 2010 when compared to data from 2008 and 2009.

A significant point of interest of the study was the capture and release of 13 lake sturgeon from the White River. According to Parks Canada, this was the first time lake sturgeon were confirmed in the White River (which runs through Pukaskwa National Park.)

Lake sturgeon is considered a threatened species by COSEWIC, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, and is included on Ontario’s Endangered Species Act. The government is currently considering it for listing under the federal Species at Risk Act.