Blue Fish News – December 16, 2024

What’s New at Blue Fish Canada

The fall hasn’t all been about spending time at the Blue Fish Exploration Centre. The team also managed to take part in numerous conferences such as the St. Lawrence River Institute for Environmental Science’s annual Science Symposium. It was while attending the 3-day Symposium in Cornwall Ontario that we met the producers of the new TV Ontario 3-part series “All Too Clear”. The series explores the underwater worlds of the Great Lakes using a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) equipped with all manner of thrusters, lights and cameras. You can find links to the podcast and the videos, as well as the rest of the fishing, fish and habitat news immediately following the below editorial on aquatic research and the role anglers can serve as stewards of aquatic ecosystems.

This Week’s Feature – Stewarding Shoreline Habitat

By L. Gunther

I recently spent the day listening to dozens of young researchers present their findings during an on-line symposium organized by Dr. Steven Cooke from Carleton University. I’m impressed by the sheer number of enthusiastic brilliant scientists dedicating their careers to sorting out the link between our impact on fish habitat and its dependent aquatic life. Maybe it’s Canada’s abundant shoreline that’s motivating their career choice, or could it be they already know just how much we have impacted the animals that make Canada’s lakes, rivers and oceans their home? Either way, it’s clear that there’s so much more to discover about our impacts on nature and what we are doing – wrong or right.

I found the research findings on the detrimental impacts of boat wakes interesting. Anglers constantly monitor for dangerous boat wakes when on the water – especially when it involves kayak fishing. Thanks to weather apps, staying out of the paths of storms is far easier to manage than it is to prepare for dangerous wakes that can arrive with little warning. You learn from experience which bodies of water to avoid because of large cruisers and wake boats even if it means limiting weekend fishing on popular lakes to the early morning hours. Large powerful pleasure boats aren’t the only watercraft causing shoreline erosion.

A friend recently had his shoreline on the St. Lawrence re-planted with native species, only to have everything swept away within days thanks to Great Lakes lakers and mega-container ships. It left him feeling helpless, but thankfully not driven to install shoreline hardening materials such as concrete.

Anyone who fishes from a boat can tell you that each boat has its unique wake characteristics. Pleasure boats alter between displacement and plaining depending on the speed. Slow enough and a boat’s displacement of water isn’t a problem, but for many boats this ideal speed is far less than the 10 MPH speed limit posted along most “no wake” zones.

Anglers who fish tournaments are interested in getting to their fishing spots ahead of their competition which means purchasing fishing boats capable of travelling at speeds in excess of 80 kph. At speed these boats produce almost no wake as only a very small segment measuring about 40 cm in length spanning the width of the boat just ahead of the transom is actually in contact with the water. However, every boat capable of achieving plane generates considerable wake during that 5-10 second increment when achieving or coming back down off plane.

Most anglers operate their boats at fuel-efficient speeds calculated by comparing distance travelled with fuel consumption. Such fuel efficiency can only be achieved while on plane when the boat is no longer displacing water. Conversely, requiring boat operators to navigate long stretches of “no wake” zones at speeds that require boats to displace water and consume considerable amounts of fuel seems counterproductive, especially since these same boats then rapidly increase or decrease speed just outside these zones as they achieve or drop back down off plane. Maybe we should be researching the shoreline erosion that takes place just outside no wake zones. Also, might it not make more sense to establish zones where boaters are expected to transition between displacing water and traveling on plane?

Most fishing takes place either at anchor, or when trolling, which produces almost no wake due to trolling speeds ranging between 1.5 and 4 kph. Anglers also now use a secondary electric motor for maneuvering their boats while fishing at a chosen location or trolling, which produces no discernable wake and accounts for well over 90% of time spent on the water.

The most popular style of boat sold in Canada for the past ten years is the pontoon boat. While these boats are technically displacement watercraft, the fact that they use two and sometimes three sponsons, or logs or pontoon – all three terms apply, they produce very little wake at any speed. Their neutral impact on shorelines is due to very little of the boat being below the surface of the water, which is the same reason why they don’t make great boats for fishing. because they ride so high on the water and displace so little, they get pushed around a lot by even the slightest wind, which makes staying on top of your fishing spots a challenge.

Cabin cruisers and cargo vessels are primarily displacement vessels regardless of how fast they travel. They depend on powerful engines to push through water at any speed. Without doubt they produce very significant wakes, which makes them not only destructive to shoreline vegetation and soil stability, but unpleasant and occasionally dangerous to be around when aboard smaller watercraft such as kayaks, canoes, and even most fishing boats.

Wakes produced by large displacement vessels are every angler’s greatest threat to their staying afloat. I’ve personally experienced more than once the bow of my boat actually dipping below the surface when descending the back of a large vessel’s wake. Traversing such wakes at speed can also throw an angler from their seat, cause fishing equipment to be ejected, and even result in your boat “spearing” a wave and flipping. For those in paddle craft, fishing among large boat wakes is uncomfortable, occasionally frightening, and most certainly dangerous if not managed by properly positioning yourself and your paddle craft prior to passing over large wakes.

More recently, people have begun purchasing wake boats to experience wake boarding, water skiing and tubing. These are moderate sized boats with wide and deep hulls meant to displace as much water as possible regardless of speed. In fact, pushing water is so important that some of these boats include internal tanks designed to hold additional water so the boat sits deeper and displaces even more water. The size of wakes generated are literally forcing small watercraft off the water. All this to say, anglers are very aware of boat wakes, but do we truly understand how boat wakes impact nature?

Experienced anglers frequently encounter shorelines that have been impacted by erosion, and know what forms of shoreline armoring provides fish habitat and which does not. We’ve even figured out when these different shoreline armaments are likely to hold fish.

Concrete walls are almost pointless to fish along unless the wind is pushing the baitfish against the wall allowing predators to take advantage of their prey’s inability to flee from their attack. But these episodes are wind dependent, and don’t normally last long since prey fish will leave the area the instant the onshore wind abates.

Rock contained within wire cages and stacked along the shore can provide small baitfish with thousands of small cavities between the rocks for use as cover. Larger predators have figured out where their prey is hiding, as have we anglers. Catching these predators entails casting right up to these walls where feeding predators can often be found.

When massive boulders the size of washing machines are used to strengthen shoreline, it usually means there are large waves, powerful currents and winter ice that necessitate such drastic hardening measures. They make for dangerous shorelines for anglers to linger alongside due to the water conditions associated with such armament, but they too can provide prey cover and attract predators, depending on wind and current.

But perhaps the most promising shorelines sought out by anglers are those that are truly natural. And by this, I mean lots of lily pads, strong weed growth right next to deeper water, or even better, trees that have fallen into the water. These shores are popular spaces for fish of all sizes. There’s plenty of food and cover for all concerned. Unfortunately, these are also the types of shorelines that many property owners feel compelled to “clean up”.

Anglers know that 10% of the water is home to 90% of the fish, and its natural shorelines that hold the most fish. It’s important to understand that when I say shoreline, I’m not referring to the shore where it meets water. As an angler, I’m far more concerned with the aspect of the shore that starts where water meets land, and finishes when water depth no longer supports weed growth due to insufficient light penetration.

Think about the reflection of land on the water, and that’s the landscape upon which anglers focus. We can’t necessarily see it through the “mirage”, but we figure it out using our lures for detecting and transmitting details about underwater structure, bathometric maps that detail the bottom’s topography, GPS devices for locating and returning to such spots, and underwater images produced by our sonar devices. Given that every river and lake is surrounded by shoreline, it’s experience that teaches us how to locate the spots “within the spot” that actually hold fish. It’s this local knowledge that anglers closely guard.

Whether man-made fish habitat, or that created by nature, each year things change. The fact is anglers are often at a loss to understand why the same spot at the same time of year no longer seems to hold fish. It’s easy to assume that the number of fish in the body of water have decreased, but more often we figure out that it’s simply the case that fish have moved on to other areas of the river or lake that have evolved to offer predators more promising foraging opportunities. This poses considerable challenges to those conducting fishery research based on sampling methodologies spread over a number of seasons. It’s why local knowledge about fish movement is crucial to such research even if it does introduce added complexity.

At the same time, there’s increasingly less quality fishing spots around, especially if you live in large urban areas and your fishing takes place within a several hour drive. People are spreading out from the cities and suburbs, and so are our negative impacts on the quality of fishing due to the loss of fish habitat. No doubt, the downturn in fishing also has to do with increases in fishing pressure, even if the number of people who fish recreationally has been slowly decreasing over time.

Anglers are getting better at what we do, have access to better technology, and are capable of sharing fishing reports in real time thanks to social media. The fact is, when anglers view the photographs shared by other anglers, it’s the landmarks we are most interested in, and whether or not the photograph includes geospatial information. Thankfully, the vast majority of Canada’s sport fish are protected simply by virtue of their proximity to population centers.

As for those water bodies that can be easily accessed by weekend anglers, knowing exactly how habitat is being threatened and what needs to change to reduce these threats is the first step to safeguarding the fish and their habitat. This is especially the case with the Great Lakes, the most valuable freshwater fishery in the world.

Recent news from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission is heartening with respect to lake trout in lakes Superior and Huron having now been fully restored. None of this could have happened without a concerted scientific effort. It would be nice to know just how much local and traditional knowledge contributed to this remarkable recovery.

There’s growing acceptance among scientists and regulators alike that engaging community science is essential if we are to achieve more such successes in future, especially given the increased number and frequency of threats to biodiversity. It’s up to us anglers to gather and share data and knowledge and to take greater stewardship responsibility for applying the best practices that come from our participation in such research. Now is not the time to doggedly stick to past practices when we know we can do better, especially given the many new fish-finding and capture technologies now at our disposal.

The Latest Fishing, Fish Health and Fish Habitat News

Fishing:

How changing catch-and-release fishing practices can boost salmon survival / Chek News
The research, which involved tagging and tracking more than 1,500 salmon off B.C.’s coast, found injuries to eyes, fins and scales reduced survival rates for chinook by 15 to 20 per cent within 10 days of release.

“Catch, Kiss, & Cook!”  Tackles Invasive Carp / FishingWire
Wildlife Forever, wants your carp fish pictures. Along with Yamaha Righwaters, the two conservation partners are launching “Catch, Kiss, & Cook!” national social media photo contest. Invasive carp include bighead, black, silver and grass carp. Catch: Head to your local waterways and start catching invasive carp. Check out this video for tips on landing the big one. Kiss: Snap a photo of yourself giving your catch a “kiss” (or whatever you’re comfortable doing). Cook: Find a recipe – some ideas can be found here – and share a photo of your prepared dish. Get your Iron Chef face on. Submit your photos and stories on social media using the hashtag #CatchKissCook for a chance to win exciting prizes.

From Hook To Release: How Gear Can Make A Difference For Fish Survival / Fishing Wire
Your odds of success on the water can hinge on the gear you use, and the same principle applies when it comes to releasing fish. From not meeting size requirements to being caught out of season, there are many reasons why you might land a fish that you’ll need to release.

Dan Tack Muskie Catch & Release Tournament / STR
The Annual Dan Tack Muskie Catch & Release Tournament is almost closed. Anglers have until December 15th to send Save The River a photo of their muskie catches from the 2024 season. Every angler who submits to the tournament will receive a free Michael Ringer print, titled Sovereign, for participating. The winner will be announced at the 36th Annual Winter Environmental Conference on January 25th, 2025 in Clayton, NY. Data collected from this tournament, including weight and size of the muskie, is share with Dr. John Farrell and the ESF Thousand Islands Biological Station. In order to be eligible for the grand prize, anglers must demonstrate proper handling of the muskie and successfully release the muskie back into the St. Lawrence.

Government of Canada announces more than $1.4 million to help preserve marine resources and support the fishing industry in the Magdalen Islands / CNW Newswire
This funding will help create opportunities and improve the market value of sustainably harvested, high-quality fish and seafood in Quebec. 

Fish farming industry is using ‘misleading’ figures to downplay its role in overfishing, new research finds / DeSmog
High demand for wild-caught species to feed farmed salmon and other fish is taking nutritious food away from low-income communities in the Global South.

Alaska salmon fishery objection dismissal ‘seriously undermines’ Marine Stewardship Council’s credibility / Watershed Watch Salmon Society
Southeast Alaska’s troll and net fisheries intercept significant percentages of salmon heading to rivers in B.C., yet they hold Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sustainability certification despite harming endangered salmon, steelhead, and Southern Resident killer whales. On October 29, an independent adjudicator dismissed a request to have the fishery’s MSC certification removed, allowing the fishery to retain its eco-label. “This decision is deeply misleading,” said SkeenaWild fisheries biologist Kaitlin Yehle. “This fishery intercepts millions of salmon from at-risk populations, lacks basic bycatch handling and monitoring standards, and should not be marketed as sustainable.”

Sask.’s cold-water fish is making waves on the European market / PINEHOUSE LAKE
Once the temperature drops, the fishing industry heats up in a small village in northern Saskatchewan thanks to the tullibee and after five years it’s still going strong.

Fish:

Once nearly wiped out, the lake trout declared ‘fully recovered’ in Lake Superior / Journal Sentinel
Decades of fisheries management programs led to huge improvement in the number of lake trout, which were nearly wiped out in the Great Lakes. The recovery of this keystone species from near extirpation to the healthy, self-sustaining population was achieved through a multi-decade and multi-jurisdictional Herculean effort that required an unprecedented amount of coordination, resources, and commitment.

Study reveals elevated mercury levels in fish associated with zebra mussel invasions / University of Minnesota
Researchers compared mercury concentrations of fish collected from lakes with and without zebra mussels and sampled water, zooplankton, invertebrates and fish from both nearshore and open water zones. They analyzed the data to provide critical insights into fish mercury concentrations, diets and habitat use. The groundbreaking study found that invasive zebra mussels significantly alter aquatic ecosystems, and are associated with elevated mercury concentrations in fish. Mercury, a potent neurotoxin, poses a serious threat to both aquatic life and human health.

Fighting to keep grass carp out of the Great Lakes / Narwhal
Invasive Grass Carp have been caught off the coast of nearby Point Pelee National Park, Rondeau Provincial Park and elsewhere in Canadian waters. There are breeding populations of grass carp on the American side of Lake Erie. But collaboration between American and Canadian governments, research institutions and local communities have kept the species from gaining a strategic foothold.

Fish On Prozac: Psychiatric Drug Pollution May Harm Wild fish / Forbes
Antidepressants like prozac (fluoxetine) have helped millions of people around the world, but studies show they may be harming wildlife and wild fish.

Millions up for grabs to fight invasive species in Ontario / ISC
Ontario’s Invasive Species Centre has announced a new round of funding for on-the-ground management and monitoring of critical invasive plants, aquatics and forest pests.

Fisheries Research Overestimates Fish Stocks / ScienceDaily.Com
The state of fish stocks in the world’s ocean is worse than previously thought. While overfishing has long been blamed on fisheries policies that set catch limits higher than scientific recommendations, a new study reveals that even these scientific recommendations were often too optimistic. The result? Far more global fish stocks are overfished or have collapsed than we thought.

Blood in the water / Watershed Sentinel
The majority of Atlantic salmon sold in B.C. tested positive for PRV. This means millions of Atlantic salmon along the B.C. Coast have the virus.

Urban salmon return to Metro Vancouver streams to spawn and inspire recovery efforts / Vernon Matters
Efforts to rehabilitate urban waterways have helped bring spawning salmon back to parts of Metro Vancouver, including unlikely-looking streams surrounded by industrial and residential development.

The Rough Fish Revolution / Hakai
Fisheries scientists are only now coming to understand the important roles native “rough fish” play in freshwater ecosystems across North America—even as these long-maligned species are increasingly at risk.

Vancouver Island salmon return ‘one of the best in 20 years’ / Victoria News
Watershed Watch’s senior fisheries advisor Greg Taylor weighs in on this year’s salmon returns.

Back in fashion: Orcas in the wild wearing dead salmon hats / Straits Times
Experts say it may just be a “fad” that has emerged as the whales find more time to goof around.

Campbell River conservation organization equipment vandalized / Campbell River Mirror
The vandalism of equipment this fall has significantly disrupted a local conservation organization’s research efforts, preventing them from obtaining an accurate count of coho salmon in the Campbell River watershed during the fall run.

Habitat:

Feds pledge record $76M for freshwater projects / Windsor Star
The federal government announced a “historic” $76 million in new funding for freshwater restoration on the Great Lakes, with investments targeted toward improving water quality and ecosystem health, as well as community-based science projects.

Watershed data comes to life with new tool / e-know.ca
Living Lakes Canada’s Columbia Basin Water Hub is launching a new visualization tool that transforms water data into meaningful visuals, supporting informed decision-making and community climate adaptation efforts.

Ontario’s Nottawasaga river is getting a renewed lease on life thanks to massive community effort
Known simply as the “Notty” among locals, the Nottawasaga river is a prime destination for anglers drawn to its renowned trout and salmon runs. With these wild fish reaching many of the river’s tributaries it would appear to be a self-sustaining fish factory, effortlessly replenishing itself.

Newly Published Research By MSU Scientists Shows How Low Levels Of Water Contamination Impact Fish Behavior And Survival / canr.msu.edu
A research team spearheaded by Michigan State University scientists has recently published findings in two journals detailing the impacts low levels of water contamination have on the behavior, simulated growth and survival of fish. The studies were published in Environmental Science & Technology and Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.

All-Night Lights Change The Behavior Of Fish, Even Into The Next Generation / ScienceDaily.Com
Scientists have shown that light pollution — especially light in the blue spectrum — can alter the behavior of fish after only a few nights, and have knock-on effects for their offspring.

The Estuary Smothered by a Thousand Logs / Hakai
For decades, scientists have known that allowing the timber industry to store logs in estuaries kills marine life. So why does British Columbia still permit it?

Car tyres shed a quarter of all microplastics in the environment – urgent action is needed / The Conversation
Tiny flakes of plastic, generated by the wear and tear of normal driving, eventually accumulate in the soil, in rivers and lakes, and even in our food.

Canada strengthens protection of freshwater with launch of standalone Canada Water Agency / Canada.Ca
Canada announces the establishment of the Canada Water Agency as a standalone federal entity headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Agency will provide freshwater policy expertise and lead the development of a national freshwater data strategy, which will make it easier for Canadians to make informed decisions impacting their environment, economy, health, and safety. The Canada Water Agency will administer freshwater funding programs in eight waterbodies of national significance: the Great Lakes, Lake Winnipeg, Lake of the Woods, Lake Simcoe, the St. Lawrence River, the Mackenzie River, the Fraser River, and the Wolastoq/Saint John River.

Enhancing Science and Management Capabilities to Support Climate-Ready Fisheries / NOAA
The NOAA is investing $40 million in the Climate, Ecosystems, and Fisheries Initiative, a cross-NOAA effort to provide decision-makers with the early warnings, risk assessments, strategies, and advice they need to increase resilience and adaptation of marine resources and resource-dependent communities to changing oceans. The investment will build on a variety of regional efforts by NOAA Fisheries and our partners across the nation to implement and amplify climate-informed management decisions. Region-specific work allows the NOAA to take targeted actions in areas vulnerable to climate change and encourages partnering with knowledgeable local organizations and Indigenous communities.

Indigenous:

New MOU Between Great Lakes Fishery Commission and Trent University to Support Collaboration Among Indigenous and Western Knowledge Systems  / GLFC
Great Lakes Fishery Commission and the Indigenous Environmental Institute at Trent University aims to build research-related capacity and develop collaborative programs to support Indigenous Nations and Tribes across the Great Lakes in a way that is respectful of the Treaty and inherent Rights and Interests of participating Nations and Tribes. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) confirms each institution’s commitment to respectful, ethical collaboration of Indigenous and Western knowledge systems in a way that will be mutually beneficial for all involved.

WSÁNEĆ chiefs call for halt to commercial herring fisheries / The Discourse
Hereditary leaders have issued a joint declaration to preserve the key species they say is in danger of collapse.

Update on Continuing Process to Clarify Marine Mammal Harvest Eligibility NOAA
NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are reviewing requirements for marine mammal harvest eligibility for Alaska Natives. The issue involves whether eligibility is determined solely based on blood quantum and what factors are relevant for assessing eligibility in the absence of proof of a minimum blood quantum.

Boating:

Yamaha, Roush and Regulator Marine Make Waves During 2024 SEMA Show® with World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Outboard / Business Wire
Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit joined forces with Roush® and Regulator Marine to reveal the world’s first hydrogen-powered outboard for recreational use. With a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2035 for operations and 2050 for products, Yamaha is championing a multi-technology approach aligned with SEMA initiatives to motivate others in the industry to pursue carbon neutrality within product lines.

Arts:

Bass Pro Shops Renews Title Sponsorship Of The Art Of Conservation Fish Art Contest / White Bear Lake
Wildlife Forever is thrilled to announce that Bass Pro Shops has renewed Title Sponsorship of the 2024-25 Fish Art Contest. The long-standing partnership is dedicated to building the next generation of anglers and conservationists through the arts. This collaboration has empowered youth in nearly every state to discover the joys of fishing.

Books:

Sea Change reports on the work of the OceanCanada Partnership, a multidisciplinary, multiyear research project to take stock of what we know about Canada’s three oceans, construct scenarios of the future facing coastal regions, and create a national dialogue and vision. Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars and practitioners in a wide array of fields investigate well-being, health, and livelihoods in coastal communities as they respond to rapid environmental and social transformation. With a focus on finding solutions, they outline the implications and obstacles for legislation, make suggestions for further research, and offer policy recommendations.

Podcasts:

An “All Too Clear”  look into the Great Lakes / The Blue Fish Radio Show
The producers of the TV Ontario “All Too Clear” 3-part series  discuss with The Blue Fish Radio Show host Lawrence Gunther how they used ROVs to explore the hidden depths of the Great Lakes . The three discuss how the RVO footage reveals the true extent of the quadrillions of tiny invasive mussels that are re-engineering the ecosystem of North America’s Great Lakes at a scale not seen since the glaciers.

How Underwater Drones Are Transforming Fisheries Data Collection in Remote Areas / NOAA
Remote underwater gliders—or underwater drones—present opportunities for all kinds of data collection and oceanographic research. They’re incredibly cost effective, requiring less staff and equipment than traditional methods. Hear how gliders are being used to survey Antarctic krill, the foundation of the region’s food web.

Videos:

All Too Clear 3-Part Videoe Series / TVO
The “All Too Clear” 3-part video series Directed by the husband-and-wife filmmaking team, Zach Melnick and Yvonne Drebert, aired on TV Ontario and quickly became one of their top performing series in 2024. The series can be streamed on YouTube at: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgBne2KTlDUz94DllR8z9a10-7IXEwoFs&si=TDLQqXbAlUQFeFbO
The series can also be streamed with descriptive video online at: https://www.tvo.org/programs/all-too-clear

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