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<channel>
	<title>Ontario Chapter of the American Fisheries Society</title>
	<atom:link href="https://www.afs-oc.org/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>https://www.afs-oc.org</link>
	<description></description>
	<lastBuildDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:16:01 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>AFS-OC Student Subunit Bioblitz of Wilket Creek &#8211; August 1, 2026</title>
		<link>https://www.afs-oc.org/afs-oc-student-subunit-bioblitz-of-wilket-creek-august-1-2026/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Robert]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:11:56 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Events & Workshops]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[What's New]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.afs-oc.org/?p=23722</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[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 [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="font-weight: 400;">The Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Bioblitz is free and will involve wading Wilket Creek of Sunnybrook Park, Toronto and uploading photo observations to an <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">iNaturalist</a> 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.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">If you would like to join us for this event, please <strong><u>fill out the form below by Monday, July 27</u></strong>.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Event Date:</strong> Saturday, August 1, 2026, 10am &#8211; 1pm (Rain check August 2)<br />
<strong>Event Location:</strong> Wilket Creek is located in Sunnybrook Park, Toronto and can be accessed by subway line 5 or car.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Please, register here:</strong> <a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fforms.gle%2FiibjDnxcTQAX67929&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cedina.illyes%40mail.utoronto.ca%7C00b161ab01e54146e6a608dec640809e%7C78aac2262f034b4d9037b46d56c55210%7C0%7C0%7C639166180623193367%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C40000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=TVYAel4Ef0qQYiI1GnxqIHnTzFDB%2F0%2BR9sz2G3KSgQc%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fforms.gle%252FiibjDnxcTQAX67929%26data%3D05%257C02%257Cedina.illyes%2540mail.utoronto.ca%257C00b161ab01e54146e6a608dec640809e%257C78aac2262f034b4d9037b46d56c55210%257C0%257C0%257C639166180623193367%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%253D%253D%257C40000%257C%257C%257C%26sdata%3DTVYAel4Ef0qQYiI1GnxqIHnTzFDB%252F0%252BR9sz2G3KSgQc%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1784160253507000&amp;usg=AOvVaw32wPm7cdFXtbUM-mvv6GBR">https://forms.gle/iibjDnxcTQAX67929</a></p>
<p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-23726 aligncenter" src="https://www.afs-oc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AFS-OC-SSU-Bioblitz.jpg" alt="" width="709" height="675" srcset="https://www.afs-oc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AFS-OC-SSU-Bioblitz.jpg 709w, https://www.afs-oc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AFS-OC-SSU-Bioblitz-300x286.jpg 300w, https://www.afs-oc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AFS-OC-SSU-Bioblitz-80x76.jpg 80w, https://www.afs-oc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AFS-OC-SSU-Bioblitz-705x671.jpg 705w, https://www.afs-oc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AFS-OC-SSU-Bioblitz-450x428.jpg 450w, https://www.afs-oc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AFS-OC-SSU-Bioblitz-250x238.jpg 250w" sizes="(max-width: 709px) 100vw, 709px" /></p>
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		<title>AFS-OC Membership Update</title>
		<link>https://www.afs-oc.org/afs-oc-membership-update/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Robert]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2026 21:14:53 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[What's New]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.afs-oc.org/?p=23711</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[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 [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>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 <a title="Become a Member" href="https://www.afs-oc.org/members/">Become a Member</a> page to find out why you should join. AFS individual members receive free online access to all five American Fisheries Society journals. <a href="https://fisheries.org/membership/join/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Join or renew</a> <strong>TODAY</strong> and don&#8217;t forget to contact the AFS Membership Team at <a href="&#x6d;&#x61;&#x69;&#x6c;&#x74;&#x6f;&#x3a;&#x6d;&#x65;&#x6d;&#x62;&#x65;&#x72;&#x73;&#104;&#105;&#112;&#64;&#102;&#105;&#115;&#104;&#101;&#114;&#105;es&#46;org">&#x6d;e&#x6d;&#98;&#x65;&#114;&#x73;&#x68;i&#x70;&#64;&#x66;&#105;&#x73;&#104;e&#x72;&#105;&#x65;&#115;&#x2e;&#111;r&#x67;</a> to add the <strong>Ontario Chapter </strong>to your membership!</p>
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		<title>NCD-AFS Spring Newsletter</title>
		<link>https://www.afs-oc.org/ncd-afs-spring-newsletter/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Robert]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:37:23 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[What's New]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.afs-oc.org/?p=23697</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The May 2026 Mainstream Newsletter (Volume 42, Issue 1) is now available from the North Central Division website.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The May 2026 <a href="https://ncd.fisheries.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/May_2026_NCD_Newsletter.pdf.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mainstream Newsletter (Volume 42, Issue 1)</a> is now available from the <a href="https://ncd.fisheries.org/newsletters/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">North Central Division</a> website.</p>
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		<title>Volume XXIV, Issue I &#8211; The Lateral Line</title>
		<link>https://www.afs-oc.org/volume-xxiv-issue-i-the-lateral-line/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Robert]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 08 May 2026 21:53:44 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Newsletters]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[What's New]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.afs-oc.org/?p=23642</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[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]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">HIGHLIGHTS:</span></p>
<p>2026 AFS-OC AGM &amp; Conference Summary<br />
Student Subunit Update<br />
President&#8217;s Message &#8211; Connor Reid<br />
Aquatic Invaders &#8211; New Invasive Crayfish in Ontario &#8211; Gabriela Carew<br />
Life in Retirement &#8211; William Gardner<br />
Jumping Non-jumping Fish &#8211; Kathryn Peiman<br />
Book Review &#8211; The Whole Fish Cookbook: New Ways to Cook, Eat, and Think. By Josh Niland &#8211; Connor Reid<br />
Fish Focus &#8211; Lake Whitefish &#8211; Siobhan Ewert<br />
New Books &#8211; The Functional Ecology of Freshwater Mussels, Crayfish, Crawfish, Crawdad: The Biology and Conservation of North America&#8217;s Favorite Crustaceans<br />
Recipe &#8211; Crappie Fish Tacos<br />
2026 AFS-OC AGM Sponsors</p>
<p><a href="https://www.afs-oc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AFS-OC-Vol-XXIV-No-I.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Download</a></p>
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		<title>New Eastern and GTA Regional Reps</title>
		<link>https://www.afs-oc.org/new-eastern-and-gta-regional-reps/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Robert]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:30:09 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[What's New]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.afs-oc.org/?p=23620</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[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.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Mitchell Shorgan and Jon Clayton have joined the <a href="https://www.afs-oc.org/executive-committee/">AFS-OC Executive Committee</a> as Eastern Ontario and Greater Toronto Area Regional Representatives, respectively. Welcome Mitchell and Jon.</p>
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		<title>Ontario Streams Backpack Electrofishing Training</title>
		<link>https://www.afs-oc.org/ontario-streams-backpack-electrofishing-training/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Robert]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:01:18 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Events & Workshops]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[What's New]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.afs-oc.org/?p=22803</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[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 [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://www.ontariostreams.on.ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ontario Streams</a> 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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>See current <a href="https://www.ontariostreams.on.ca/electrofishing-course" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Backpack Electrofishing Crew Lead Training Course</a> for more information and to register.</p>
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		<title>News &#8211; DFO Releases 3 New Interim Standards for the Protection of Fish and Fish Habitat</title>
		<link>https://www.afs-oc.org/news-dfo-releases-3-new-interim-standards-for-the-protection-of-fish-and-fish-habitat/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Robert]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 22:03:25 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[What's New]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.afs-oc.org/?p=23567</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[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 [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>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 <u><a href="https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pnw-ppe/standards-normes-eng.html" data-auth="NotApplicable">Projects near water website</a></u>:</p>
<ul>
<li>Interim standard: fish capture and relocation</li>
<li>Interim standard: planning for land-based erosion and sediment control</li>
<li>Interim standard: water intake end-of-pipe fish screens</li>
</ul>
<p>Although these are interim documents, proponents are encouraged to start using them by referencing  them in <u><a href="https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pnw-ppe/reviews-revues/request-review-demande-d-examen-001-eng.html" data-auth="NotApplicable">requests for review</a></u> and <u><a href="https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pnw-ppe/reviews-revues/applicants-guide-candidats-eng.html" data-auth="NotApplicable">applications for authorization</a></u>.</p>
<p>Input from Indigenous Peoples has been and will continue to be sought with funding through the <u><a href="https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ecosystems/ihpp-ppha/index-eng.html" data-auth="NotApplicable">Indigenous Habitat Participation Program</a></u>.</p>
<p>Additional feedback on the Standards is welcome. Please send any comments or questions to the Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program <u><a href="&#x6d;&#x61;&#105;&#108;t&#x6f;&#x3a;&#x44;&#70;&#79;&#46;&#x46;&#x46;&#x48;&#80;&#80;-&#x50;&#x50;&#x50;&#72;&#46;M&#x50;&#x4f;&#x40;&#100;fo&#x2d;&#x6d;&#x70;&#111;&#46;g&#x63;&#x2e;&#99;&#97;">inbox</a></u>. Comments received by <strong>March 31, 2026</strong> will be considered for incorporation into a final version.</p>
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		<title>2026 Al Dextrase Award Winner &#8211; Emma Geffros, Trent University</title>
		<link>https://www.afs-oc.org/2026-al-dextrase-award-winner-emma-geffros-trent-university/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Robert]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 08 Feb 2026 21:35:13 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[What's New]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.afs-oc.org/?p=23509</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[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 &#8220;Insights from Ontario’s Broad-scale Monitoring program: Trends in sport fish abundance&#8221; and the abstract is [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The winner of the <a href="https://www.afs-oc.org/ontario-chapter-awards/al-dextrase-award/">Al Dextrase Award</a> for Best Student Poster Presentation at the <a href="https://www.afs-oc.org/about-us/2026-afs-oc-annual-meeting/">2026 AFS-OC Annual Meeting</a> was Emma Geffros from Trent University. Emma (right) received her award from Ontario Chapter President Connor Reid (left). Her poster was titled &#8220;Insights from Ontario’s Broad-scale Monitoring program: Trends in sport fish abundance&#8221; and the abstract is available in the <a href="https://www.afs-oc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AFS-OC-2026-Conference-AGM-Programme.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2026 AFS-OC Conference Program</a>.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-23528 size-full aligncenter" src="https://www.afs-oc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AD_Award_2026.png" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://www.afs-oc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AD_Award_2026.png 300w, https://www.afs-oc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AD_Award_2026-80x60.png 80w, https://www.afs-oc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AD_Award_2026-250x188.png 250w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
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		<title>2026 E.J. Crossman Award Winner &#8211; Katie Watkins, Carleton University</title>
		<link>https://www.afs-oc.org/2026-e-j-crossman-award-winner-katie-watkins-carleton-university/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Robert]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 08 Feb 2026 21:16:26 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[What's New]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.afs-oc.org/?p=23510</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[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 &#8220;Spatial behaviour and habitat use of Bowfin (Amia ocellicauda) in Lake Ontario&#8221; and the abstract is available in [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The recipient of the <a title="E.J. Crossman Award" href="https://www.afs-oc.org/outstanding-chapter-award/e-j-crossman-award/">E.J. Crossman Award</a> for Best Student Oral Presentation at the <a href="https://www.afs-oc.org/about-us/2026-afs-oc-annual-meeting/">2026 AFS-OC Annual Meeting</a> was Katie Watkins from Carleton University. Katie (right) received her award from Ontario Chapter President Connor Reid (left). Her presentation was titled &#8220;Spatial behaviour and habitat use of Bowfin (<em>Amia ocellicauda</em>) in Lake Ontario&#8221; and the abstract is available in the <a href="https://www.afs-oc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AFS-OC-2026-Conference-AGM-Programme.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2026 AFS-OC Conference Program</a>.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-23523 size-full aligncenter" src="https://www.afs-oc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/EJC_Award_2026.png" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://www.afs-oc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/EJC_Award_2026.png 300w, https://www.afs-oc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/EJC_Award_2026-80x60.png 80w, https://www.afs-oc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/EJC_Award_2026-250x188.png 250w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
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		<title>2026 Outstanding Mentor Award Winner &#8211; William Gardner, DFO (Retired)</title>
		<link>https://www.afs-oc.org/2026-outstanding-mentor-award-winner-william-gardner-dfo-retired/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Robert]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 08 Feb 2026 18:50:43 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[What's New]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.afs-oc.org/?p=23511</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[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.]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The 2026 recipient of the Ontario Chapter Student Subunit <a title="Outstanding Mentor Award" href="https://www.afs-oc.org/awards/outstanding-mentor/">Outstanding Mentor Award</a> was William (Bill) Gardner, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Retired). The award was presented by mentee and AFS-OC President-Elect Raegan Davis at the <a href="https://www.afs-oc.org/about-us/2026-afs-oc-annual-meeting/">2026 AFS-OC Annual Meeting</a>.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-23513 aligncenter" src="https://www.afs-oc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/OM_Award_2026.png" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://www.afs-oc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/OM_Award_2026.png 300w, https://www.afs-oc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/OM_Award_2026-80x60.png 80w, https://www.afs-oc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/OM_Award_2026-250x188.png 250w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
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