Ontario Chapter of the American Fisheries Society

Welcome to the ONTARIO CHAPTER of the AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY

We welcome any and all suggestions, links, news releases, events, announcements, job postings, photographs or other contributions to the website and/or newsletter. Please forward to the Webmaster, Social Media Chair, Newsletter Editor or any member of the Executive Committee and we will ensure they are posted and/or distributed in a timely fashion.

What’s New highlights the newest postings and our News page provides the latest news items relevant to Ontario’s fisheries. Look to News & Events for upcoming community events, workshops, courses, meetings and conferences. Chapter members are encouraged to submit papers, presentations, posters or research for our Member Publications page and to check out the Members Area for newsletters, employment, training and educational opportunities. The Links page includes the Ontario Fishes Archives offering access to relevant historical fisheries publications, as well as useful links for fisheries/natural resources, government, on-line books/journals, organizations/associations, software/apps, AFS and AFS social networks.

Ontario Chapter merchandise and Event Registration are available through the Online Store.

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What’s New

AFS-OC Student Subunit Bioblitz of Wilket Creek – August 1, 2026

July 14, 2026/in Events & Workshops, What's New/by Robert

The Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Bioblitz is free and will involve wading Wilket Creek of Sunnybrook Park, Toronto and uploading photo observations to an iNaturalist project, providing valuable learning opportunities for students and early-career professionals with hands-on macroinvertebrate sampling and identification with help from experts in attendance from academia and industry. If you would like to join […]

AFS-OC Membership Update

July 9, 2026/in What's New/by Robert

As of July 9, 2026, the Ontario Chapter has 96 paid members! The membership includes 40 regular, 26 student, 12 early career professional, 15 retired and 3 life members. Have you renewed your membership for 2026? Are you a member yet? If not, see the Become a Member page to find out why you should […]

NCD-AFS Spring Newsletter

June 9, 2026/in What's New/by Robert

The May 2026 Mainstream Newsletter (Volume 42, Issue 1) is now available from the North Central Division website.

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Annual Meeting

2026 Ontario Chapter Annual Meeting

January 30-February 1, Cartier Place Suite Hotel, Ottawa

Hot topics: Navigating change in contentious environmental and policy landscapes

Keynote Speakers: Gary Whelan & Kristi Leora Gansworth

Canadian Museum of Nature Tour – Friday January 30 (2-5 pm)

Register for the Conference and CMN Tour at the Online Store.

AFS-OC members and students are eligible for discounted rates.

View the 2026 AFS-OC AGM & Conference Program.

See 2026 AFS-OC Annual Meeting for additional information and Annual Meetings for highlights of past meetings.

Events

AFS-OC Student Subunit Bioblitz of Wilket Creek – August 1, 2026

July 14, 2026/in Events & Workshops, What's New/by Robert

Ontario Streams Backpack Electrofishing Training

March 17, 2026/in Events & Workshops, What's New/by Robert

Ontario Streams offers electrofishing training courses, in spring and fall sessions. These courses are intended for students and professionals who will be involved in stream surveys and fisheries management. The main focus is to ensure the safe use of the backpack electrofishing units. The course will cover: electrical theory, safety measures, and an in-field practical […]

Ontario Freshwater Mussel Identification Workshop – June 16-17, 2026

January 23, 2026/in Events & Workshops, What's New/by Robert

Tentative Date: June 16-17, 2026 This two day workshop will provide an introduction to the anatomy, biology and ecology of Ontario’s freshwater mussels with special emphasis on the 16 COSEWIC assessed Species at Risk. See Ontario Freshwater Mussel Identification Workshop for more information and join the waitlist.

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News

News – DFO Releases 3 New Interim Standards for the Protection of Fish and Fish Habitat

March 9, 2026/in News, What's New/by Robert

Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program (FFHPP) has released three new interim standards that were developed to guide project proponents in the design and implementation of mitigation measures considered critical to the protection of fish and fish habitat. The following are now published on Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Projects near […]

News – DFO’s new Offsetting Policy and Position Statement for the Consideration of Cumulative Effects

March 28, 2025/in News/by Robert

Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program (FFHPP) has released a new Offsetting Policy and Cumulative Effects Position Statement. The Policy for Applying Measures to Offset Harmful Impacts to Fish and Fish Habitat and the Position Statement on the Consideration of Cumulative Effects in Support of Decision Making on Fisheries Act […]

News – DFO FFHPP Risk Management Framework

January 9, 2025/in News/by Robert

Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program (FFHPP) has released its Risk Management Framework Overview on the Talk Fish Habitat website. This overview: provides information about FFHPP’s risk management approach serves as a foundation for future engagement on policies, guidance and tools related to how DFO manages risks to fish and […]

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Conferences

156th American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting – August 30-September 3, 2026

September 2, 2025/in Meetings & Conferences, What's New/by Robert

AFS 2026, Columbus, Ohio Theme: The heart of stainability: Habitat as the foundation of productive fisheries

American Fisheries Society Calendar

March 1, 2014/in Meetings & Conferences/by Robert

American Fisheries Society Calendar

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Newsletters

Volume XXIV, Issue I – The Lateral Line

May 8, 2026/in Newsletters, What's New/by Robert

HIGHLIGHTS:
2023 AFS-OC AGM Overview; Student Subunit Update; 2022 NCD-AFS Best Chapter Communications Award; Fish Focus – Golden Redhorse – Siobhan Ewert; Pictures of Fishes – Kathryn Peiman; Book Review – Effective Conservation: Parks, Rewilding, and Local Development by Ignacio Jiménez; New Publication – Freshwater Fisheries in Canada

Volume XXIII, Issue I – The Lateral Line

May 21, 2025/in Newsletters/by Robert

Volume XXII, Issue I – The Lateral Line

April 27, 2024/in Newsletters/by Robert

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OFFLHD

Ontario Freshwater Fishes Life History Database

a fully searchable database for all Ontario and adjacent Great Lakes freshwater fishes including introduced, extirpated and extinct species
contains current information pertaining to life history, habitat, size and age, distribution, conservation status, ecological value, reproduction and nomenclature for 156 species, 3 subspecies and 2 established hybrids
includes photographs, range maps, notes, Ontario record lengths and weights, length-weight regression coefficients, information sources, glossary of terms and related web links

ontariofishes.ca

Upcoming Events

AFS-OC Student Subunit Bioblitz of Wilket Creek – August 1, 2026July 14, 2026 - 20:11
Ontario Streams Backpack Electrofishing TrainingMarch 17, 2026 - 10:01
Ontario Freshwater Mussel Identification Workshop – June 16-17, 2026January 23, 2026 - 22:36
156th American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting – August 30-September 3, 2026September 2, 2025 - 22:08
ECOPA Natural Resources TrainingMarch 20, 2025 - 09:41

LATEST TWEETS

AFS-OC @afs_ontario ·

5 Jul

Come join our student team! We are now accepting nominations for 1-year student subunit committee officers to begin in September. Other positions not requiring nominations are also available and if interested, please reach out via email. https://forms.gle/WRjDGVKy8n7JoBf46 🐟🌊

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AFS-OC @afs_ontario ·

10 Jun

We are excited to announce that the AFS-OC Student Subunit is organising an Aquatic Macro-invertebrate Bioblitz on Saturday, August 1. No experience is necessary and this event is open to all AFS–OC members and will be followed by snacks and non-alcoholic beverages provided (1/2)