New Eastern and GTA Regional Reps

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Mitchell Shorgan and Jon Clayton have joined the AFS-OC Executive Committee as Eastern Ontario and Greater Toronto Area Regional Representatives, respectively. Welcome Mitchell and Jon.

Ontario Streams Backpack Electrofishing Training

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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 where you will demonstrate safe implementation in the field.

See current Backpack Electrofishing Crew Lead Training Course for more information and to register.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

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

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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 water website:

  • Interim standard: fish capture and relocation
  • Interim standard: planning for land-based erosion and sediment control
  • Interim standard: water intake end-of-pipe fish screens

Although these are interim documents, proponents are encouraged to start using them by referencing  them in requests for review and applications for authorization.

Input from Indigenous Peoples has been and will continue to be sought with funding through the Indigenous Habitat Participation Program.

Additional feedback on the Standards is welcome. Please send any comments or questions to the Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program inbox. Comments received by March 31, 2026 will be considered for incorporation into a final version.

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.

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).

2026 Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary

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The 2026 Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary is now available! Digital copies can be viewed online or as a PDF download.

An annual guide to the rules and regulations for recreational fishing in Ontario. It contains information about recreational fishing licences, open seasons and catch limits, as well as up-to-date fishing regulations for each fishing zone. Effective January 1, 2026.

Learn more at fishing notices and updates.

2025 Al Dextrase Award Winner – Jacob Lasci, University of Western Ontario

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The winner of the Al Dextrase Award for Best Student Poster Presentation at the 2025 AFS-OC Annual Meeting was Jacob Lasci from University of Western Ontario. Jacob (right) received his award from Ontario Chapter President Silviya Ivanova (left) and Vice President Connor Reid (middle). His poster was titled “Effects of introduced salmonids on native Lake Trout in Lake Huron” and the abstract is available in the 2025 Joint OCTWS AFS-OC Conference Program.