MNR Science Insights Seminar: Methods to collect and monitor Ontario fishes at risk – February 26, 2026

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Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026
Time: 2–3 p.m. ET

Seminar will be webcast live. Register to attend.

Ministry of Natural Resources’ Science and Research Branch invites you to participate in a Science Insights seminar: Methods to collect and monitor Ontario fishes at risk

Presenters: Scott Reid & Elise Millar, Aquatic Research and Monitoring Section

Twenty-five years ago, a lack of ecological knowledge and field sampling experience limited our ability to detect and monitor Ontario’s endangered fishes.

Join Scott and Elise to learn how their team uses past research and statistical models to inform the monitoring of fish and fisheries in Ontario rivers and streams.

Newsletter Call for Content

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It’s time for the next issue of The Lateral Line! We’re looking for content for our 2026 issue. Please send your stories, ideas, articles, cool links, new books, interesting videos, field photos, or literally anything else even remotely fish-related. Let’s keep making our newsletter award-worthy! Send items to newsletter@afs-oc.org by March 22, 2026.

2026 Al Dextrase Award Winner – Emma Geffros, Trent University

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The winner of the Al Dextrase Award for Best Student Poster Presentation at the 2026 AFS-OC Annual Meeting was Emma Geffros from Trent University. Emma (right) received her award from Ontario Chapter President Connor Reid (left). Her poster was titled “Insights from Ontario’s Broad-scale Monitoring program: Trends in sport fish abundance” and the abstract is available in the 2026 AFS-OC Conference Program.

2026 E.J. Crossman Award Winner – Katie Watkins, Carleton University

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The recipient of the E.J. Crossman Award for Best Student Oral Presentation at the 2026 AFS-OC Annual Meeting was Katie Watkins from Carleton University. Katie (right) received her award from Ontario Chapter President Connor Reid (left). Her presentation was titled “Spatial behaviour and habitat use of Bowfin (Amia ocellicauda) in Lake Ontario” and the abstract is available in the 2026 AFS-OC Conference Program.

2026 Outstanding Mentor Award Winner – William Gardner, DFO (Retired)

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The 2026 recipient of the Ontario Chapter Student Subunit Outstanding Mentor Award was William (Bill) Gardner, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Retired). The award was presented by mentee and AFS-OC President-Elect Raegan Davis at the 2026 AFS-OC Annual Meeting.

Employment Opportunity – Environmental Advisor – Fisheries

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Reporting to the Senior Manager – Environment, Health & Safety – Fisheries, the Environmental Advisor – Fisheries provides technical leadership and regulatory support to ensure Ontario Power Generation’s Federal Fisheries Act Compliance and commitments are implemented effectively. This role supports environmental program delivery and compliance performance, with a focus on fisheries management, aquatic habitat protection, permitting/authorizations, and technical studies related to fish populations and fish habitat.

The successful candidate will work closely with internal station teams and corporate functions and will maintain constructive relationships with provincial and federal agencies to support approvals, authorizations, and ongoing compliance.

See the Job Posting for further details and to apply. Application deadline February 19, 2026.

CARS Annual General Meeting – February 27, 2026

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Canadian Aquatic Resources Section Annual General Meeting, Friday, February 27th at 2:00-4:00 pm EDT

Come learn about what our Section has accomplished in 2025 (with highlights from the AFS Parent Society and Chapters located in Canada) and help us look forward to what 2026 has in store. A meeting link will be emailed to members closer to the meeting date. Hope to see you there!

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

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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.

2026 AFS-OC AGM & Conference Program

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The 2026 AFS-OC AGM & Conference Program is now available!

Join us at our 2026 Annual General Meeting and Conference at Cartier Place Suite Hotel, Ottawa on January 30-Februray 01, 2026. The Conference organizers have put together a fantastic Program, including a keynote talks, oral and poster presentations, as well as a collections tour, panel event and careers workshop.

Conference registration and Canadian Museum of Nature: Collections Tour registration are available at the Online Store. Tour participation is free for conference registrants; however, registration is mandatory and must be completed by January 28th.

See 2026 Annual General Meeting and Conference for additional information. If you have any questions, please contact Connor Reid (president@afs-oc.org).

AFS-OC Membership Update

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As of January 5, 2026, the Ontario Chapter has 100 paid members! The membership includes 50 regular, 26 student, 13 young professional, 10 retired and 1 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 join. AFS individual members receive free online access to all five American Fisheries Society journals. Join or renew TODAY and don’t forget to contact the AFS Membership Team at membership@fisheries.org to add the Ontario Chapter to your membership!