AFS-OC Expresses Concern Regarding Proposed Changes to ESA Redside Dace Habitat

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The AFS-OC would like to express its concern with the December 20, 2023 proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) which will impact Redside Dace in Ontario. As a result we have drafted a letter expressing our concerns, questions and potential solutions to alert our membership. In short, we ask concerned members to visit https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-8016 and review the proposed regulatory changes, and submit comments. If you are unsure about what to say, we list possible issues you can copy in the attached letter. The more voices that oppose this change, the better.

NOTE that questions or comments must be submitted before February 20, 2024.

Regulatory changes to the Endangered Species Act

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Ontario protects species at risk and their habitats through the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA).

As part of efforts to improve the effectiveness and implementation of the species at risk program, amendments are proposed to several regulations made under the ESA.

Specifically, amendments are proposed in four key areas:

  1. Regulatory amendments regarding habitat protections for Redside Dace
  2. Regulatory amendments regarding select conservation fund species and related administrative changes
  3. Regulatory amendments to add newly listed species to existing conditional exemptions and other administrative changes to conditional exemptions
  4. Regulatory amendments regarding the conditional exemption for early exploration mining

Feedback and input from the public, Indigenous communities, and stakeholders on these proposed changes are invited. This consultation closes at 11:59 p.m. on February 20, 2024. See https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-8016 for more information.

American Fisheries Society

Changes to Ontario Fish Names 2023

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Several changes to Ontario fish names have occurred according to Common and Scientific Names of Fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 8th Edition. For details see Changes to Fish Names 2023.

Three Grass Carp Captured in Ontario Waters

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The monitoring season for Asian carps was a busy one for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and the OFAH Invading Species Awareness Program (ISAP), with three Grass Carp captured in 2023.
Read more

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

News – Release of interim FFHPP Standard and interim Codes of Practice

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Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program (FFHPP) has posted the interim Code of Practice for Repair, maintenance and construction of docks, moorings and boathouses on Talk Fish Habitat, and it is now open for comment.

The interim code is available now for use this season. However, an analysis and review of feedback received will be required before this interim Code of Practice, and the interim Standard and Codes of Practice released August 10, 2023, are published as final. Accordingly, comments and feedback are welcome until November 30, 2023.

Please send any comments or questions to DFO.FFHPP-PPPH.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

News – DFO Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program Wave 3

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After a very successful Wave 2 Engagement, DFO’s Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program (FFHPP) is ready to undertake the next wave of engagement. FFHPP’s Wave 3 Engagement is seeking input to continue modernizing and/or developing policies, frameworks, instruments, and guidance to further implement the fish and fish habitat protection provisions of the Fisheries Act.

A video presentation overviewing the Wave 3 engagement plan is now available on the Talk Fish Habitat platform. Read more

AFS-OC Voices Concern Regarding Bill 23

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The Ontario Chapter of the American Fisheries Society has sent an open letter to Hon. Steve Clark, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, voicing our concern regarding Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022.  Copies of the letter have also been sent to Hon. Graydon Smith, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Hon. David Piccini, Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks and Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

News – Finalization of FFHPP Codes of Practice

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Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program (FFHPP) Codes of Practice specify procedures, practices or standards for avoiding the death of fish or the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat. This is in relation to works, undertakings and activities during various phases of their life cycle, such as construction, operation, maintenance or decommissioning. Read more

News – Sander is the Valid Generic Name for Walleye, Sauger, and European Pikeperches

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Sander Oken 1817 (Percidae) is the Valid Generic Name for Walleye, Sauger, and European Pikeperches: A Response to Bruner (2021)

AUTHORS: Christopher Scharpf, The ETYFish Project, 4102 Westview Road, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA. chris@etyfish.org; Ronald Fricke, Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde, Stuttgart, Germany. ronald.fricke@smns-bw.de

CITATION: Scharpf C. and R. Fricke. 2021. Sander Oken 1817 (Percidae) is the Valid Generic Name for Walleye, Sauger, and European Pikeperches: A Response to Bruner (2021). Fisheries 47(4)151:153 https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10686 Read more

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

News – DFO Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program Wave 2 Launch

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After a very successful Wave One Engagement, DFO’s Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program (FFHPP) is ready to undertake the next wave of engagement. FFHPP’s Wave Two Engagement is seeking input to continue modernizing and/or developing policies, frameworks, instruments, and guidance to further implement the fish and fish habitat protection provisions of the Fisheries Act.

The FFHPP Engagement Platform will house all engagement activities, provide participants with information and updates, and ensure all input and feedback will be directed to the FFHPP team.

Please visit the FFHPP Engagement Platform to register to participate in platform activities, and find new opportunities to participate, share, collaborate, and learn.