2026-27 AFS-OC Executive Committee Election Results

/in /by

The results of the 2026-27 Ontario Chapter Executive Committee election are official.  Thank you to all candidates and congratulations to those elected. As per our bylaws, all Ontario Chapter members were eligible to vote and officers were elected by a majority of ballots cast. Each member was permitted to cast one vote. A total of 18 members participated in the election, representing approximately 19% of the membership.

Edina Illyés  was elected to the position of President-Elect with 100% of the vote. The term of office for President-Elect is one year, leading to the position of President in 2027-28, and Past-President the following year.

Gabrielle Perugini was elected to the position of Northern-Member-at-Large with 100% of the vote.  The term for the position of NMAL is not fixed; however, it is preferred to serve more than one term.

Volume XXIV, Issue I – The Lateral Line

/in , /by

HIGHLIGHTS:

2026 AFS-OC AGM & Conference Summary
Student Subunit Update
President’s Message – Connor Reid
Aquatic Invaders – New Invasive Crayfish in Ontario – Gabriela Carew
Life in Retirement – William Gardner
Jumping Non-jumping Fish – Kathryn Peiman
Book Review – The Whole Fish Cookbook: New Ways to Cook, Eat, and Think. By Josh Niland – Connor Reid
Fish Focus – Lake Whitefish – Siobhan Ewert
New Books – The Functional Ecology of Freshwater Mussels, Crayfish, Crawfish, Crawdad: The Biology and Conservation of North America’s Favorite Crustaceans
Recipe – Crappie Fish Tacos
2026 AFS-OC AGM Sponsors

Download

New Eastern and GTA Regional Reps

/in /by

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

/in , /by

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

/in , /by

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

Read more

2026 Al Dextrase Award Winner – Emma Geffros, Trent University

/in /by

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

/in /by

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)

/in /by

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

/in /by

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).