CITATION: CEDST. 2025. The Imperative of Data Management in Aquatic Habitat Science: A Call to Action. White paper of the Canadian Ecological Data Sustainability Team. 15 pp. + Apps. https://sites.google.com/ontariotechu.net/sosmart/home/other-external-reports-and-studies?authuser=0

ABSTRACT:

Canada’s capacity to monitor and manage its precious freshwater resources is contingent upon robust and accessible ecological data. However, a recent survey of volunteer ecologists across Canada has revealed a critical data deficit in the field of aquatic habitat science. This deficit, characterized by inaccessible, poorly managed, and at-risk datasets, poses a significant challenge to Canada’s ability to meet its national and international commitments to biodiversity.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – The Imperative of Data Management in Aquatic Habitat Science: A Call to Action

FULL REPORT – The Imperative of Data Management in Aquatic Habitat Science: A Call to Action

CITATION: Jackson, D.A. and N.E. Mandrak. 2025. Plight of the endangered Redside Dace (Clinostomus elongatus) in Canada: end of the road?. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2024-0391

ABSTRACT:

Conservation of biodiversity is recognized as a priority, with many jurisdictions having legislation protecting species at risk. Such protections are of value only if they are enforced, regardless of the strength of the laws. Redside Dace (Clinostomus elongatus) is a fish listed as endangered by both the Canadian and Ontario governments. We review the biological characteristics and the threats that contribute to its vulnerability and the reductions in its population status during recent decades. Initiatives related to infrastructure developments present risks to core Redside Dace populations, raising questions regarding the future of this species, and other federally listed species, in Canada. Proposed developments and modifications of protection to at-risk species by the Government of Ontario show little regard for the Ontario Endangered Species Act, and it is unclear whether the Government of Canada will enforce protections of its own Species at Risk Act. Redside Dace provides an exemplar of challenges facing conservation-based legislation and the willingness of governments to enforce their own legal frameworks or challenge those of lower levels of government.

FULL TEXT – Jackson and Mandrak

CITATION:

Dey, C.J., A.I. Rego, M.J. Bradford, K.D. Clarke, K. McKercher, N.J. Mochnacz, A. de Paiva, K. Ponader, L. Robichaud, A.K. Winegardner, C. Berryman, P.J. Blanchfield, C.M. Boston, D. Braun, J.W. Brownscombe, C. Burbidge, S. Campbell, A. Cassidy, C. Chu, S.J. Cooke, D. Coombs, J. Cooper, A. Curry, M. Cvetkovic, A. Demers, M. Docker, A. Doherty, S.E. Doka, K. Dunmall, B. Edwards, E.C. Enders, N. Fisher, M. Gauthier-Ouellet, W. Glass, L.N. Harris, C. Hasler, J. Hill, S.G. Hinch, E.E. Hodgson, J. Hwang, K.M. Jeffries, L. King, R. Kiriluk, R. Knight, A. Levy, J. MacDonald, R. Mackereth, R. McLaughlin, C.K. Minns, J.W. Moore, K. Nantel, C. Nessman, C. Normand, C.M. O’Connor, J. Paulic, L. Phalen, J. Post, T.C. Pratt, S.M. Reid, C.A. Rose, J. Rosenfeld, K.E. Smokorowski, D. Sooley, M.K. Taylor, J. Treberg, J. Trottier, T.D. Tunney, M-P. Veilleux, D.A. Watkinson, D. Watts, K. Winfield, J.P. Ziegler, J.D. Midwood, and M.A. Koops. 2021. Research priorities for the management of freshwater fish habitat in Canada. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2021-0002

SUMMARY:

Effective management of freshwater fish habitat is essential to supporting healthy aquatic ecosystems and sustainable fisheries. In Canada, recent changes to the Fisheries Act enhanced the protection of fish habitat, but application of those provisions relies on sound scientific evidence. We employed collaborative research prioritization methods to identify scientific research questions that, if addressed, would significantly advance the management of freshwater fish habitat in Canada. This list was generated by a diverse group of freshwater fish experts, including substantial contributions from practitioners who administer provisions of the Fisheries Act. The research questions generated in this study identify priority topics for future research, while highlighting issues that could be addressed with different funding models. As a result, this study should support evidence-based management of Canada’s aquatic resources by identifying scientific knowledge gaps faced by practitioners, and suggesting funding mechanisms to address them. Given the important contribution of Canadian freshwater systems to global ecosystem values, and the similar scientific challenges facing fish habitat managers in other jurisdictions, this study is likely to have broad applicability.

FULL TEXT – Dey et al.

CITATION:

Hasler, C.T., J.G. Imhof, N.W. Lapointe, and S. Metikosh. 2021. Regaining Lost Protections: Status of the Revisions to the Canadian Fisheries Act. Fisheries. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10614

ABSTRACT:

The Fisheries Act (Act), a long‐standing Act protecting fisheries in Canada, was changed in 2012 to redefine its central purpose to the management of fisheries in Canada. Along with this refocus were changes that appeared to reduce protections for habitat and all fish. After an outcry by scientists, Indigenous peoples, and environmental organizations, the Act was revised in 2019 to “restore lost protections” thought to have been lost in the 2012 changes. To a large degree most of the “lost protections” have been restored, while other portions of the 2012 Act have been maintained. Challenges remain under the amended Act in efficiently implementing development and conservation projects while achieving the newly clarified purpose of the Act—the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat.

FULL TEXT – Hasler et al.

CITATION:

Lester, N.P., S. Sandstrom, D.T. de Kerckhove, K. Armstrong, H. Ball, J. Amos, T. Dunkley, M. Rawson, P. Addison, A. Dextrase, D. Taillon, B. Wasylenko, P. Lennox III, H.C. Giacomini, and C. Chu. 2020. Standardized Broad‐Scale Management and Monitoring of Inland Lake Recreational Fisheries: An Overview of the Ontario Experience. Fisheries 46(3):107-118. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10534

ABSTRACT:

There are ~250,000 lakes in Ontario that support important cultural, recreational, and economic fisheries. In 2005, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry adopted the Ecological Framework for Recreational Fisheries Management to tackle the heterogeneity of lake resources and angler mobility across the landscape, increase public participation in fisheries management, and streamline an ever‐growing list of regulations. The Broad‐Scale Monitoring Program for Inland Lakes began in 2008 to meet these goals. Essential elements of the program are: clear objectives, standardized sampling methods, operational implementation, diagnostic indicators, standardized reporting, a multidisciplinary team, and adaptive monitoring. Fishes, zooplankton, habitat, and angling activity are measured at each lake and provide the data needed to make evidence‐based fisheries management decisions. The data have benefited other provincial initiatives and provided significant contributions to the science of freshwater ecology. Recommendations are provided for other jurisdictions considering the implementation of a standardized broad‐scale monitoring program.

FULL TEXT – Lester et al.

CITATION:

Third L.C., D.R. Browne and N.W.R. Lapointe. 2021. Project Review Under Canada’s 2012 Fisheries Act: Risky Business for Fisheries Protection. Fisheries 46(6)288-297. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10594

ABSTRACT:

Canada’s Fisheries Act provides essential protection for fish and their habitat. To manage thousands of projects a year, Fisheries and Oceans Canada implements a risk‐based framework requiring authorization and offsetting for the highest risk projects. Projects considered lower risk proceed via letters of advice. Following changes to the Act in 2012, there were concerns about transparency and cumulative effects of low‐risk projects. We used access to information requests to obtain documents and reviewed the department’s 2012–2019 risk‐based framework. Projects reviewed in Manitoba in 2016 were examined and the amount of permanent alteration and destruction approved without authorization was quantified (23,881 and 6,768 m², respectively). The risk‐based framework focused reviews and regulatory decisions on project‐by‐project effects, rather than cumulative risks from multiple projects. Harm from lower risk projects was not tracked or offset. New mechanisms are needed to manage such projects to achieve the conservation purpose of the Act.

FULL TEXT – Third et al.

CITATION:

Trahan A.T., A.D. Chhor, M.J. Lawrence, J.W. Brownscombe, D.M. Glassman, C.H. Reid, A.E I. Abrams, A.J. Danylchuk and S.J. Cooke. 2021. Do carbonated beverages reduce bleeding from gill injuries in angled Northern Pike? N. Am. J. Fish. Manag. 41(3):639-649. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10571

ABSTRACT:

The premise of catch‐and‐release recreational angling is that postrelease survival is high. Therefore, it is common for anglers, management agencies, and conservation organizations to share information on handling practices and other strategies that are believed to improve the welfare and survival of fish that are released. A recent surge in popularity has sensationalized the use of carbonated beverages to treat bleeding fish—an intervention that is purported to stop bleeding but has yet to be validated scientifically. We captured Northern Pike Esox lucius via hook and line and experimentally injured their gills in a standardized manner. Gill injuries were treated with Mountain Dew, Coca‐Cola, or carbonated lake water. The duration and intensity of bleeding as well as overall blood loss (using gill color as a proxy) were observed while the fish were held in a lake water bath. As a control, we used a group of experimentally injured fish that did not have liquid poured over their gills before the observation period. All treatments and the control were conducted at two different water temperatures (11–18°C and 24–27°C) to determine whether the effects of pouring carbonated beverages over injured gills are seasonally dependent. When compared to the control, we found that the duration and intensity of bleeding increased regardless of the type of carbonated beverage used in this study, and there was no effect of season. Use of chilled versus ambient‐temperature beverages similarly had no influence on outcomes. As such, there is no scientific evidence to support the use of carbonated beverages for reducing or stopping blood loss in fish that receive gill injuries during recreational angling based on the context studied here. Our study reinforces the need to scientifically test angler anecdotes and theories regarding best practices for catch‐and‐release fishing.

FULL TEXT – Trahan et al.

CITATION:

Dymond J.R., H.H. MacKay, M.E. Burridge, E. Holm, and P.W. Bird. 2019. The history of the Atlantic Salmon in Lake Ontario. Aquat. Ecosyst. Health Manage. 22(3):305–315. https://doi.org/10.1080/14634988.2019.1641044

ABSTRACT:

The history of the Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar), also referred to as Salmon below, in Lake Ontario is an accumulation of authentic published accounts, which were almost completed by J. R. Dymond before his death. H. H. MacKay completed the work on Dymond’s behalf (Dymond and MacKay, unpublished, 1966), but it remained largely unknown. The present authors (MEB, EH, PWB) have sought to present an updated subset of Dymond and MacKay’s work as the history of Lake Ontario Salmon is a crucial story in the history of the Great Lakes and its fisheries. The information provided should add materially to the knowledge of the causes that led to the decline and ultimate extirpation of a fascinating and valuable fish, notwithstanding all the efforts that were made to restore it by artificial means.

FULL TEXT – Dymond et al.

CITATION:

Morrison, B.P. 2019. Chronology of Lake Ontario ecosystem and fisheries. Aquat. Ecosyst. Health Manage. 22(3):294–304. https://doi.org/10.1080/14634988.2019.1669377

ABSTRACT:

The Lake Ontario drainage basin has been considered the most productive of all the deepwater Laurentian Great Lakes for fish production and extremely valuable for its historical commercial fisheries catches. Historical accounts are replete with this productivity, especially when referencing Atlantic Salmon populations. In addition to Atlantic Salmon, Lake Ontario contained a diverse coldwater fish community dominated by Lake Trout, whitefishes (Coregoninae), and Burbot along with rich cool and warmwater fish communities. Lake Ontario also contained marine relict species, such as Harbour Seal, Threespine Stickleback, and possibly Sea Lamprey, Rainbow Smelt and Alewife along with the catadromous American Eel. Following European colonization of the watershed, extensive land-use change, overfishing, dam construction, habitat degradation, pollution, and invasive species all contributed to the decline and extirpation of many native species and shifts in aquatic species communities. This chronology is meant to provide context and inform expectations regarding productivity of Lake Ontario and contributing watersheds for developing more comprehensive resource management plans, guidelines, and policy.

FULL TEXT – Morrison

CITATION:

Castañeda R.A., C.M.M. Burliuk, J.M. Casselman, S.J. Cooke, K.M. Dunmall, L.S. Forbes, C.T. Hasler, K.L. Howland, J.A. Hutchings, G.M. Klein, V.M. Nguyen, M.H.H. Price, A.J. Reid, J.D. Reist, J.D. Reynolds, A. Van Nynatten, and N.E. Mandrak. 2020. A Brief History of Fisheries in Canada. Fisheries 45(6):303–318. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10449

INTRODUCTION:

Having the longest coastlines in the world and some of the largest freshwater ecosystems, Canada has a rich history of exploitation and stewardship of its marine and freshwater fisheries resources. For thousands of years prior to European settlement, Indigenous peoples across what is now Canada utilized and managed marine and freshwater fisheries that underpinned food systems, cultural practices, and pre-colonization economies (Berkes 1990). The earliest exploitation of Canadian fisheries by Europeans was by the Spanish and Portuguese fishing for Atlantic Cod Gadus morhua in the 15th century (Hutchings and Myers 1995). The importance of fisheries in Canada is highlighted by the enactment of the Fisheries Act, one of Canada’s first acts of legislation passed in 1868, one year after Confederation (Fisheries Act 1985). The purpose of the Fisheries Act is to ensure federal management and control of fisheries and the protection and conservation of fishes and fish habitat (Fisheries Act, Section 2.1). In the 1970s, the Fisheries Act was strengthened to protect all fishes and their habitats, and, in 2012, it was weakened to only protect commercial, recreational, or Aboriginal fisheries (Hutchings and Post 2013). Amendments to protect all fishes and fish habitats, strengthening the Fisheries Act once again, were passed in Bill C-68 (2019).

FULL TEXT – Castañeda et al.