Blue Fish News – March 25, 2024

March 25th, 2024

What’s New at Blue Fish Canada: Report and Grant writing season is winding down, thank goodness. I have to admit, I both fear and hope all of our grants are approved. Hope, in that everyone at Blue Fish Canada are ready and excited about the projects being proposed, and fearful that it’s going to mean more work. But don’t worry, we are cognisant about “mission creep”, and in no way are we being led off in new directions that won’t build on our experience and reputation. The other good news is that we have settled on an insurance company that we believe, and so do they, that the coverage being offered is a good fit with our programs. This search wasn’t simple as few insurance companies want to insure charities, and even less-so if they serve “vulnerable youth”. We now have concrete proof that Blue Fish Canada’s commitment to provide programs to people of all ages, abilities, backgrounds and identities comes with an actual price. My whining about all this has to do with the editorial I wrote for this issue that celebrates the people who run and work in non-profit organizations. People such as Terry Rees, who just left the Federation of Ontario Cottage Associations after 20 years, and Robert Pye, who just took over at Watersheds Canada . Two of many selfless yet passionate people looking to make a difference.

This Week’s Feature – Champions of Nature

By L. Gunther

While preparing reports and submissions for new grants over the past few months I’ve been reminded of Blue Fish Canada having reached its 12th anniversary. Planning new projects involves looking forward, of course, but more importantly, it requires that one take a good look back. I heard something similar from an indigenous elder who said, moving forward is best accomplished by walking backwards, that way you never lose sight of where you came from. He explained that monitoring your forward direction takes only occasional glances over your shoulder, but remembering what you have said, done, promised, and achieved requires more of an effort to make sure we never forget the people and lessons learned along our path. It’s an interesting perspective and one that certainly contradicts much of what we hear these days from popular “life coaches”.

Another thing I’m growing ever more conscious of is the amazing people I meet while carrying on my work, which for a number of us also happens to be our passion. Whether it was during my tournament fishing days and the professional responsibilities I took on to represent various fishing and boating brands, or now with respect to my involvement in conservation. Each of these distinct circles includes their own unique groups of people. And what I’ve discovered over the years is that not only the number of people that make up these circles isn’t as infinite as I first assumed, but it’s also these same people who do the lion’s share of the heavy lifting.

Every person who leads a non-profit depends on grants to fund the work of their organization. Each year it’s the new projects that win the competition for grant funding, as very few of these funding sources will consider funding existing projects. It’s also the case that paying the salaries of your staff can only make up a small portion of the funds being requested, which means multiple grants are needed to cover 100% of each staff members’ pay. Of course, depending on volunteers to do the work is one way around this dilemma, but can’t always be counted on for meeting milestones throughout the life of a project, or for developing ideas of what should come next.

Meeting shifting granting priorities and paying salaries certainly adds stress to people who run or work in NGOs. So, why is it then, the same people keep stepping up to run the conservation and environmental charities that we count on to fix nature? There are less stressful ways to make a living, and yet, they seldom seem to burn out or quit, or even complain. In many ways, these people have become my personal heroes, but it’s not something I would ever admit to in their presence. These aren’t people who want or expect to be aggrandized by their friends or staff.

You won’t get to know them for the awards or public recognition – all of which they seldom receive. They also aren’t spending every moment of the day figuring out how to get in front of the media’s cameras, or posting on social media day-after-day so algorithms keep them trending. You might see them once a year if you pay to attend an annual fund-raising auction or dinner organized by their board of directors, or on location at some environmental catastrophe related to the work of their organization such as the death of a popular snapping turtle or fish kill. Where you will see them, time-and-time again, are at meetings, symposiums, conferences, consultations, and other meetings specifically meant to gather together all those who have an interest in conservation. It’s then that these leaders come out from behind their desks, not to jockey to get their turn behind the microphone, but to mostly listen to what others have to say.

One such leader I’ve had the privilege of getting to know over the past ten years is Terry Rees, soon to be the past Executive Director of the Federation of Ontario Cottage Associations, or FOCA. Terry has led this organization amazingly well for the past 20 years and will be sorely missed, but not necessarily gone. Who knows where he might pop up next, because it’s my observation that such champions never really go away, they just find new challenges where they can continue to pursue their passion for making nature better, stronger, or pretty much back to how it was years ago.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Terry about his reflections, concerns, hopes and fears. Not so much an “exit interview”, but at a time in his life when he’s reflecting on his career. You can listen to our conversation on The Blue Fish Radio show. https://www.spreaker.com/episode/terry-rees-and-his-20-years-with-foca–59155876

Another champion that just moved over to a new challenge is Robert Pye. As the new Executive Director of Watersheds Canada, Robert is applying his years of experience with communicating important information about nature to keep this amazing organization growing in its ability to undertake crucial shoreline and fish habitat restoration. You can listen to my recent conversation with two amazing champions of the outdoors, Robert Pye and Melissa Dakers from Watersheds Canada on The Blue Fish Radio Show: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/watersheds-canada-on-fish-habitat–59155869

Who are your heroes? Is there someone in your circle that deserves some well-earned attention as they reach a personal milestone? Drop me an email with the details and how to get in contact so we can learn more about how they too reflect on their journey while walking backwards towards their next big challenge.

The Latest Fishing, Fish Health and Fish Habitat News

Fishing:

Ottawa celebrates signing a watershed ocean treaty / Penticton Herald
Canada has signed a landmark global ocean agreement on the first anniversary of the historic document’s creation.

B.C. fishers fined $29K for illegal catches at fishing lodge / CTV
Three people, including the operator of a British Columbia fishing lodge, have been fined $29,000 after they were found guilty last month of multiple fishing-related offences.

Remember the Salmon War? / Watershed Watcher
Alaskan fleets today catch more B.C. salmon and steelhead than B.C. fishers do.

Lake Erie Committee Sets Walleye and Yellow Perch Total Allowable Catches / Binational Lake Erie Committee
Total Allowable Catch (TAC) decisions are made by consensus of the Lake Erie Committee. The 2024 lake wide walleye TAC of 12.858 million fish is a 4.9% decrease from 2023. The walleye population remains strong following numerous years of successful hatches; however, a slight reduction in TAC is due to average Walleye size increasing in 2024 resulting in a smaller decline in harvested biomass compared to the decline in number of fish. The 2024 combined Yellow Perch TAC is 6.554 million pounds of yellow perch, a 0.3% decrease from 2023. Poor recruitment of yellow perch in the central basin continues to be a challenge, although the population is showing signs of stabilizing.

Introducing Our Salmon Advisory Panel / Ocean Wise
Ocean Wise has launched the Salmon Advisory Panel to tackle the challenge of identifying sustainable salmon options in British Columbia. Comprising of leading experts in B.C. salmon, the panel combines unique knowledge and guidance with Ocean Wise’s Rapid Assessment Standard. The goal? To enhance Ocean Wise’s ratings for locally sourced salmon.

Anglers and Biologists Introduce New Fishing Tournament / Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
The Midwest Walleye Challenge will give anglers in states across the Midwest a chance to compete for prizes while collecting important data for biologists.

The collection of angler catch data during the Nebraska challenge can help the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission learn more about Nebraska walleye fisheries. In the process, Nebraska anglers can see how their walleye fisheries compare to others in the Midwest.

Fish:

Lagging spawning and increasing phenological extremes jeopardize walleye / Wiley Press Room
Walleye are creatures of habit, and the seasons—especially winter—are changing so fast that this iconic species of freshwater fish can’t keep up. The timing of walleye spawning—when the fish mate and lay their eggs—has historically been tied to the thawing of frozen lakes each spring, says the study’s lead author, Martha Barta, a research technician at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Now, due to our changing climate, walleye have been “unable to keep up with increasingly early and more variable ice-off dates,” says Barta.

Mass die-offs among farmed salmon on the rise around the world / BBC
Warmer seas and greater reliance on technology are linked to hundreds of millions of farmed salmon deaths.

Protecting at-risk chinook populations as others flourish / Watershed Watcher
Last year saw exceptional returns of two populations of chinook salmon.

Whistleblower video raises concerns about fish welfare at B.C. caviar farm / Salmon Arm Observer
No violations were found during the site visit, but BC SPCA and DFO are reviewing hundreds of hours of footage.

Over $300K in grants for N.B. Atlantic salmon projects / Country 94
The Foundation for the Conservation of Atlantic salmon has announced its 2024 grant recipient partners dedicated to the conservation of wild Atlantic salmon habitats and populations.

New Decade Dialogue: Saving Salmon, Watersheds, and Food Webs from 6ppd-q / Ocean Decade Collaborative Center

Even very low levels of pesticide exposure can affect fish for generations / ScienceDaily
Fish exposed to some pesticides at extremely low concentrations for a brief period of time can demonstrate lasting behavioral changes, with the impact extending to offspring that were never exposed firsthand, a recent study found. The findings raise concerns not just for fish, but for all vertebrates that are exposed to commonly used pesticides — including humans, said study co-author Susanne Brander, an associate professor and ecotoxicologist in Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center.

Satellites track the tiny silver fish hugely important to marine life / National Observer
Herring spawning produces a turquoise water colour so vibrant it can be seen from space! This annual event is critical for the food web and brings many species to nearshore areas, including salmon, seals, sea lions, and whales.

Habitat:

‘Immediate threat to Canadian waters’: Here’s what the Invasive Species Centre wants you to know about grass carp / ISC
Researchers have found evidence of naturally reproducing invasive fish species in the Great Lakes, causing an “immediate threat to Canadian waters,” says the Invasive Species Centre (ISC).

Cleanup cost of Teck’s Elk Valley mines is billions higher: report / Narwhal
A new report finds the price tag to treat water contaminated with selenium in the Elk Valley could be $6.4 billion — more than three times the amount reported to the B.C. government.

Are Canada’s lakes becoming salty? / Watersheds Canada
Recent research has highlighted concerning news: there has been a pronounced escalation in the salinization of our freshwater bodies over the past twenty years. If this trend continues, many Canadian lakes will reach critical levels in the next 40 years. Elevated salt concentrations can severely impair aquatic flora, lead to widespread fish deaths, and turn these freshwater zones inhabitable for many species. The implications extend beyond individual organisms; heightened salinity can reconfigure food webs and perturb natural cycles.

Volunteer tossers replenish nutrients with dead salmon in Saanich creek / Saanich News
Slimy salmon work way better than frozen for the annual salmon carcass transplant, and Mother Nature provided with near 19 C weather for the PKOLS-Mount Douglas Conservancy event on Saturday.

Great Lakes Advisory Board Studies Explore how to Better Combat Nutrient Imbalances in Lake Erie / IJC
Canada and the United States set a goal in 2016 to reduce phosphorus loads entering Lake Erie by 40 percent from 2008 levels, but have made limited progress. The International Joint Commission’s Great Lakes Science Advisory Board, in collaboration with the Great Lakes Water Quality Board, recently published two reports that focus on addressing the delicate balancing act of nutrients in Lake Erie.

Multiple fisheries projects received funding to advance research / U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Thanks to $1.3 million in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will fund three projects in 2024, which will aid in restoration of sustainable populations of coregonines in Lake Ontario to reestablish their historical roles as forage for predators.

Indigenous:

Of Gitnuganaks, Glaciers, and Life at the End of the Last Ice Age / Hakai
Off the British Columbia coast, scientists guided by Indigenous knowledge are unearthing evidence of island life long, long ago.

Boating:

Old Town® Introduces Limited Edition Autopilot / FishingWire
The Old Town Sportsman Autopilot from Johnson Outdoors remains the pinnacle watercraft for hands-free fishing. Anglers can command this high-tech kayak using the I-Pilot remote with just the touch of a thumb. The fully integrated 45lb thrust saltwater-ready motor leverages Minn Kota’s Spot-Lock technology, enabling anglers to motor to their fishing spot faster and virtually anchor with the push of a button.

Arts:

New Salmon Conservation Stamp / PSF
Chosen from 19 entries in this year’s competition, Dale Cooper was awarded first place with his submission titled Pursuit. The painting will be featured on this year’s Salmon Stamp, a required purchase to catch and keep any Pacific salmon caught in the marine environment. PSF’s Community Salmon Program uses the Stamp’s revenue to grant up to $2 million annually to more than 200 salmon conservation projects.

Podcasts:

E437 Watersheds Canada on Fish Habitat
Lawrence Gunther speaks with the new Executive Director of Water Sheds Canada Robert J. Pye, and Melissa Dakers, Habitat and Stewardship Program Manager, about their work on creating resilient fish habitat on The Blue fish Radio Show. Robert has many years of experience in promoting fishing and conservation, and Mel is led the charge to expand the charity’s shoreline restoration programs to include shoreline wetlands and fish habitat. Learn how their programs operate year-round, how you can get involved or learn more, and some exciting news about what’s coming up! This is our 3rd episode featuring Watersheds Canada over the past six years, and we are excited to witness the evolution of their focus on fish!

E438 Terry Rees and his 20 years with FOCA
Director of the Federation of Ontario Cottage Associations for twenty years, and recently announced that he will be moving on. Terry’s leadership on countless water quality issues over the years has served the over-500 cottage associations that are affiliated with FOCA, and the knowledge and experience he’s amassed is significant. Terry is our guest on The Blue Fish Radio Show where he talks about a wide range of issues, strategies, programs and regulations meant to maintain a strong one-health relationship between property owners and the waters they love and appreciate.

Scientists and Local Champions:

Newly Appointed Canadian Commissioners Chiblow and Phare Working Toward Greater Indigenous Collaboration / IJC
Canadian Commissioners Dr. Susan Chiblow and Merrell-Ann Phare share a common background and goal: extensive work with Indigenous Peoples and personal commitments to continued collaboration and engagement.

Chiblow was recently appointed as the International Joint Commission’s second Indigenous Commissioner. Phare was appointed to a second term.

Calls to Action:

Survey on Recreational Fishing in Canada’s Northern Indigenous Communities / IGFA
Share your opinion with the International Game Fish Association for a chance to win a $200 gift card. Your responses will help Northern Canadian communities develop sustainable fishing tourism offerings. The survey takes about 10 minutes

20 Years of Observations from a Water Enthusiast / Water Canada Magazine
Terry Rees issues a call-to-action to all fellow water enthusiasts, alongside his observations about what is changing on Ontario’s waters and what must be done about it.

Coming Up:

April 6, 3rd annual St Lawrence River Musky Anglers’ workshop.

This session brings together Canadian and US musky anglers to share research on the St. Lawrence River musky crisis (invasive gobies, loss of habitat, disappearance of YOY, and New York’s efforts to restock dead spawning  bays with fry to repopulate these formerly productive nurseries, and the citizen science program to monitor these fry 5 years later as they become mature and catchable by anglers. They’ve been tagged with micro chip tags that are readable with special readers in kits for anglers. It’s state of the art research and citizen (angler) science. April 6, 9-12. Everyone who fishes and cares about the legendary St. Lawrence muskellunge should attend this important session and have their say with the OMNRF. To register send an email to: r.b.macrae@icloud.com

Great Lakes Harmful Algae Conference / register by April 8th!
On April 18, 2024: 12:00PM – 1:30PMJoin PST, the Decade Collaborative Center and our expert speakers to learn more about 6ppd-q, its impacts on salmon, watersheds and food webs, and what action is being undertaken to prevent it from reaching critical salmon habitats and waterways.

Special Guest Feature – Clean Drain Dry Initiative Releases Annual Accomplishment Report / FishingWire

Wildlife Forever is proud to release the 2023 Clean Drain Dry Initiative annual accomplishment report. Through partnerships, on-the-ground efforts delivered critical invasive species prevention infrastructure and a nationwide public service campaign reaching over 83 million impressions.

Invasive species are a leading threat to the 206-billion-dollar outdoor industry in the U.S. When established, they can dramatically change the ecosystem and impact communities dependent on safe and reliable natural resources. The 2023 Report showcases national efforts to coordinate communications and prevention marketing by delivering on-the-ground strategies that empower the public and prevent spread.

“Tools at the access to clean boats and equipment are wise investments against increasing threats. Education and awareness must also remain a top priority to ensure public users understand best practices for prevention,” said Pat Conzemius, President & CEO of Wildlife Forever.

2023 Highlights Include:

• Risk assessment and access enhancement implementation in the Columbia River Basin
• Citizen Carp Control advocacy efforts to support commercial harvest and processing
• Initiation and development of a new mapping tool to aid traveling boaters in doing their part to prevent invasive species

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