Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre

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

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.   

Henvey Inlet FN Commercial Fishing Workshop a Success!

Participants of the Commercial Fishing Workshop, held on the Henvey Inlet First Nation November 23 & 24th were treated to an invaluable experience as they observed the everyday workings of a commercial fishing vessel. Compliments of Henvey Inlet Fisheries proprietor Joe Herbert, all of the participants boarded the W.A.Spears to get a first-hand understanding of the procedures involved in setting and retrieving commercial gill nets, and dressing and packing the catch for delivery to a processing plant. In addition to the field excursion, workshop participants gained practice at hanging and mending nets compliments of Britt Commercial Fisherman Bob Karwaski. Field exercises with GPS units and mapping strategies were also demonstrated. The commercial fishermen and their crews gave presentations on the different technologies and the many safety requirements utilized in the industry which not only offered the participants further insight but provided thought provoking discussions. Photos from the workshop will be posted soon.

Commercial Fishing Workshop @ Henvey Inlet FN

Are you coming to the Commercial Fishing Workshop? It’s being held at the Henvey Inlet First Nation Fire Hall Tuesday November 23rd and Wednesday Novmeber 24th @ 8:30 AM. 

We will be discussing topics such as the history of commercial fishing on Lake Huron, commercial quotas, fish management, netting equipment, and fish storage and containment. We will also be doing demonstrations on mending nets. With weather permitting, we may also get the opportunity to board a commercial vessel and lift some nets! If you would like more information, you can call Judy Contin at the Band Office at 705-857-2331 or just stop by at the Fire Hall. See you there!

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!

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.

 

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.

Notice - A/OFRC Superior Regional Habitat Workshop - has been cancelled.

Please note that the A/OFRC Superior Regional Habitat Workshop that was scheduled for Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 2009, in Thunder Bay has been cancelled.

Workshop information for the Southwest Regional Habitat Workshop will be posted shortly.

A/OFRC to host a Superior Regional Habitat Workshop in Thunder Bay, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 2009

Participants at last fall's Serpent River First Nation habitat workshop check the shoreline for aquatic species.

Based on the success of our previous training workshops, the Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre (AOFRC) is conducting a fisheries habitat workshop Sept. 30th & Oct. 1st, 2009.   We encourage you to consider attending if you feel that you would benefit from such a workshop.

This course will be particularly useful for individuals working in the area of fish habitat or communitiy members with a personal interest.  At the workshop, participants will be able to:

1.   Understand and identify warm & coldwater lakes & streams.

2.   Learn about fish species abundance.

3.   Visually identify impacts upon fish habitat.

4.   Go into the field and learn how to collect habitat data

 

The workshop will be held at the Days Inn Thunder Bay North (1250 Golf Links Rd.) 

(Wed.) Sept. 30th & (Thur.) Oct. 1st, 2009.

The workshop will involve both in-class and hands-on field experience.  A/OFRC staff will deliver course content and supply all necessary equipment. Participation in this workshop will include course materials and equipment as well as coffee and snacks.  There are openings for 10 -15 participants, so register soon!

Not only will participants of this workshop benefit from this experience, but the communities will also be further ahead in the pursuit of developing fisheries expertise within the area.

''Free to Anishinabek Communities''

Deadline to register is noon Friday, Sept. 25th/09

Aundeck-Omni-Kaning Winter Commercial Fisheries Workshop

A/OFRC staff Charles Hardy enjoys a March dip during the Ice Safety portion of the Winter Commercial Fisheries Workshop in Aundeck-Omni-Kaning (AOK) First Nation on Manitoulin Island.

Participants came from Manitoulin Island and the North Shore of Lake Huron to learn about traditional and modern techniques in winter commercial fishing.  Captain/Elder Harold Michon led the group over the three day workshop.  Captain Michon taught the group how to make "Jigger Boards" for setting nets under the ice, Fisheries Ethics, and winter netting protocol.  A/OFRC Biologist Maureen Peltier instructed participants on Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and shared her knowledge on Fish Habitat. Dave Corbiere from AOK not only helped coordinate the event but headed up the Ice Safety segment where participants were treated to an icy dip in the frigid waters of Little Current.

 

Amanda Commanda from Serpent River First Nation works on her Jigger Board during the workshop