TOP TEN TIPS:

1. Use the right strength tackles so returned fish aren’t overly tired
2. Don’t over harvest and don’t keep the larger breeders
3. Be careful fueling engines to avoid polluting water.
4. Recycle old fishing line so it doesn’t tangle and kill wildlife
5. Clean-up shoreline waste and garbage.
6. Take measures to stop Nitrates or Phosphates from entering the water
7. Minimize time fish spend out of the water, and avoid removing a fish’s protective slime.
8. Use barbless or non-offset circle hooks, and environmentally safe artificial baits.
9. Be careful not to transport invasive fish and plants, or to spread disease
10. Support fish health research by reporting tagged fish

Algae Blooms:
Nitrates and phosphates added to the water can lead to excessive growth of algae and algal blooms. Decomposing algae causes oxygen depletion and fish kills. Avoid using fertilizers mid-summer or when the ground is frozen. Maintain a natural buffer zone between your lawn and the shoreline. Have your septic system inspected annually.

Invasive fish and Disease:
Don’t Dump your Minnows. Invasive species of baitfish can overwhelm native fish species, or can spread disease. Purchase bait from dealers selling certified disease-free bait. Dump unused bait on dry land. Use baitfish only in waters where their use is permitted

Invasive Plants:
Invasive plants can often outgrow, replace, and destroy native plants. Be sure to remove seeds and plant matter from boots, waders and gear. Clean your boat and trailer thoroughly before transporting it to another body of water. Verify that any plant you buy is not invasive. Don’t release aquarium fish or plants into the wild.

Trash:
Pack it in, pack it out. Don’t leave used fishing line behind as it can tangle and kill wildlife. If you see garbage, clean it up.

Oil and Gas:
Keep engines and containers in good working condition and be careful when transferring new or used oil or gas. Have sorbent materials available should a spill occur. Label all containers appropriately.

Tackle:
A lip hooked fish stands a better chance of survival. Using single, barbless hooks or circle hooks are easier on fish. Non-lead weights or jigs are better for the environment, as are biodegradable soft plastic baits. Needle-nose plyers and hook cutters are essential.

Playing Your Fish:
Fighting a fish to exhaustion will decrease its chance of surviving. Use properly sized tackle to land fish quickly. Revive your fish in the water after being unhooked. When water temperatures are high, avoid exposing fish to air.

Photographing Fish:
Be ready. Have your camera handy and accessible before you land your fish. Keep your fish in the water and only lift it out when ready to take the photograph.

Handling Fish:
Wet your net before netting your fish, and always handle fish with wet hands. Don’t lay fish on carpet or grass and try not to let your clothing wipe important slime from the fish’s body leaving it open to infection. Fish that flop about on streamside rocks or the bottom of a boat harm themselves and expend undue energy. Keep a fish’s head in the water during the hook removal process. Never grab a fish by the eyes or gills. Avoid squeezing fish around the belly or hanging fish vertically as this can damage internal organs. Fish that seem unlikely to survive should be harvested.

Selective Harvesting:
Harvest fish from populations that can support a reduction in their numbers, from ecosystems that are thriving, and in sizes that ensure larger breeders carry on. Removing small numbers of mid-sized fish can ensure the remaining fish have sufficient food to reach full size.

Fish Research:
Anglers who report recaptures of tagged fish provide data that is vital to determining fish health. Report tagged fish including where and when the fish was caught, the tag number, and the size and weight of the fish. Return tagged fish to the water so the research might continue.

Regulations and Conservation:
Purchase your fishing license yearly so data on numbers of fishers can be collected, and to support fish research and conservation. Go on line and know the fishing regulations for the species of fish and area your fishing. Verify whether the fish you plan to harvest are safe to eat and in what amount. Finally, report toxic spills, fish kill-offs, and the illegal behaviours of others.

Thanks:
This Guide was made possible with the generous support of Oziles Marina, the Petrie Island Fishermen’s Association, and the Canadian National Sportsman Show.

Join Lawrence Gunther, President of Blue Fish Canada and Host of the Blue Fish Radio show, as he visits aquariums throughout North America. This unique initiative goes behind the super-think glass and the thousands of gallons of water playing host to all manner of aquatic species. A behind-the-scene exploration of spaces and people doing amazing things to empower the future stewards of the world.

The Aquariums of North America feature showcases the mega-sized public displays that cost millions to build and require maintenance crews using SCUBA to clean. Aquariums that do more than entertain guests, in that they strive to recreate aquatic ecosystems in their full glory.

North America’s aquariums are making significant investments so people can both witness and experience the mysterious underwater world that we can only imagine when looking down from the decks of ships or bridges. A world that is surprisingly more diverse than that which we live in above water, and far, far larger in size. And a world that is in need of and deserving of protection.

Many of the more famous public aquariums in North America have been around for decades and yet don’t seem to be losing their public appeal. In fact, new aquariums are springing up everywhere as for-profit businesses. We at Blue Fish Canada wanted to find out what keeps these aquariums relevant and why interest in such exhibits is growing.

Surely, the variety of underwater documentaries and TV specials that Jacques Cousteau first made popular offer more than ample film footage to satisfy most people’s curiosity. So what is it that has people turning off their TV’s and tablets and visiting aquariums in ever-increasing numbers?

In researching and planning the Aquariums of North America special, we were acutely aware of the debate surrounding the welfare of some animals, particularly cetaceans, in captivity. With so many opinions already floating around on this topic, we wanted to take a different approach.

The aquariums Lawrence is visiting focus first-and-foremost on educating the public. Their methodologies include simple displays with information plaques, live presentations and video, and hands-on interactive displays intended to go beyond observation by providing a more multi-sensory experience. Other secondary program offerings often include behind-the-scenes tours, overnight experiences, meet-and-greets with leading scientists, participation in feeding sessions, excursions on boats, and the opportunity to volunteer or apprentice. The internet as a means of following up with support for past visitors interested in learning and doing more is also becoming a key component of most aquarium visits.

Some might argue that the very popular interactive exhibits exploit animals and other life forms, and these exhibits, along with the other secondary programs, are solely intended to give a bump to the numbers of people passing through their turnstiles. But if this is the case, then one also need ask, why? For the most part, these aquariums are not-for-profit organizations.

As a person without sight, Lawrence is one of the first to attest to the value of interactive exhibits. Simply pressing your nose up against the think glass of an aquarium leaves everyone feeling somewhat unfulfilled. The need to maintain our connection with nature can only be established and maintained when all the human senses are engaged–not just the sense of sight. Like babies, everyone has a deep-seeded need to explore the world with ones hands, mouths, ears, noses, and eyes. It’s how one establishes a real connection with the object being investigated. The aquariums Lawrence visits get this, and are leaders in the world in offering the public multi-sensory, four-dimension, full immersion (both figuratively and literally), emotionally engaging experiences.

Lawrence has already visited close to a dozen aquariums throughout Canada and the United States, and the number continues to grow. While there is some overlap in the sorts of educational displays offered by different aquariums, their ample differences made it easy to focus his attention on unique subjects relevant to each aquarium’s geographic location. What he learned may both surprise and impress you.

Links to live Blue Fish Radio recordings of Lawrence’s visits and interviews with aquarium staff can be found on www.bluefishradio.com and iTunes.

There’s no shortage of interesting topics covered: habitat protection and conservation, volunteer programs, environmental sustainability, field research and observation, rescue and rehabilitation, education and awareness, stakeholder engagement, heartbreak and success, and so much more. Each Blue Fish Radio Aquariums of North America episode is engaging, different, informative, loaded with surprises, and fun. Included is an interview with an expert from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) during which Lawrence and his guest discuss the evolution of aquariums, the Association’s accreditation role, and what the future holds in store.

Please join Lawrence on this journey of discovery and illumination. You won’t be disappointed. As someone who sees the world through his ears, Lawrence has a pretty good idea of what makes for good radio.

Mote Aquarium

The Future of Aquariums

SHEDD Aquarium

Aquarium du Quebec

Birch Aquarium

Aquarium of the Pacific

Aquarium of the Bay

Monterey Aquarium

Vancouver Aquarium

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

During the spring 2016 outdoor show season, Blue Fish Canada exhibited for a total of nine days. Thanks to Canadian National Sportsman Show management for generously donating exhibit spaces.

Blue Fish Canada gave away over 5,000 shoreline clean-up kits, Fishing stewardship guides and personalized brailled autograph cards to visitors at our boot. People donating $5 or higher, had their names entered into a draw to win a $250 Shimano fishing rod and reel outfit. Over $400 in donations were collected.

One of Blue Fish Canada’s youngest and hardest working volunteers, Lilly Euteneier, drew the winners name on June 1, 2016. The winner is Chris Walcott.

Thanks to all those who dropped by the booth to say high and who generously donated funds to support Blue Fish Canada to empower the next generation of fish stewards. Big thanks too, to all those who gave their time to help staff our booths.