The Aquatic Invasive Species Identification Booklet presents the principal species that have invaded certain marine environments in Eastern Canada. It provides information on how to recognize these species and what you can do to keep them from spreading and becoming established.
This booklet is the outcome of a collaborative effort involving the four Fisheries and Oceans Canada regions in Eastern Canada (Quebec, Gulf, Maritimes and Newfoundland and Labrador), with coordination provided by the Quebec region. It is part of a broader project to raise public awareness about the importance of taking action to limit the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species, which pose a threat to both ecology and the economy.
The identification booklet, which has been available in paper format for just under a year, aims to inform the principal users of the marine environment to help them rapidly identify any invaders. These users – whether they are fishers, divers, aquaculturers, vacationers, harvesters or sailors – are the eyes of Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the water, and work in close collaboration with biologists in the various maritime areas. This collaboration is essential if we are to protect not only ecosystems but also the fisheries and aquaculture industry.
1.21.2010
1.05.2010
Mountain Lakes and AIS
On Wednesday, April 28, CAISN will host an outreach exhibit event at the Royal BC Museum beginning at noon, starting with a public lecture in the museum's auditorium by Dr. David Schindler, University of Alberta. The exhibit will be displayed in the adjacent museum lobby. All are welcome.
Dr. Schindler, University of Alberta
Restoring Mountain Lakes Damaged by Stocking with Alien Species
In the early and mid-20th century, lakes and streams in Banff National Park were stocked with eastern brook trout, rainbow trout and other species popular with anglers. Later, it became obvious that the stocked fish were causing declines in native bull trout and cutthroat trout. They had also extirpated key species of native invertebrates. Stocking ceased in the mid 1970s, but the alien species persisted in many lakes. The Banff-Bow Valley study of 1996 recommended that Parks Canada should make efforts restore the damaged lakes and streams.
In the past 20 years, we have restored the original communities of two alpine lakes in the Cascade Valley. We have also nearly completed the restoration of two headwater lakes and a several kilometer stretch of the Clearwater River, with Parks Canada as a partner. Dr. Schindler will describe the methods used to restore the systems, the changes in the lakes and river, and speculate about the future of restoring damaged freshwater ecosystems.
Mountain Lakes in BC
Dr. Schindler, University of Alberta
Restoring Mountain Lakes Damaged by Stocking with Alien Species
In the early and mid-20th century, lakes and streams in Banff National Park were stocked with eastern brook trout, rainbow trout and other species popular with anglers. Later, it became obvious that the stocked fish were causing declines in native bull trout and cutthroat trout. They had also extirpated key species of native invertebrates. Stocking ceased in the mid 1970s, but the alien species persisted in many lakes. The Banff-Bow Valley study of 1996 recommended that Parks Canada should make efforts restore the damaged lakes and streams.
In the past 20 years, we have restored the original communities of two alpine lakes in the Cascade Valley. We have also nearly completed the restoration of two headwater lakes and a several kilometer stretch of the Clearwater River, with Parks Canada as a partner. Dr. Schindler will describe the methods used to restore the systems, the changes in the lakes and river, and speculate about the future of restoring damaged freshwater ecosystems.
Mountain Lakes in BC
11.13.2009
Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Day
On November 10, 2009 CAISN hosted an Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Event. In addition to studying aquatic invasive species (AIS), CAISN also conducts various Outreach projects in order to inform the public of what we do and the effects of AIS in Canada. As part of our Outreach initiatives, CAISN showcased the 3rd installment of its Canadian AIS Exhibit at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research in Windsor Ontario, where CAISN administrative offices are located.
The newest AIS exhibit was created with financial assistance from the Government of Canada and The TD Friends of the Environment Fund. The exhibit includes a wide variety of information and photos of AIS, video displays and an interactive video game on how to stop the spread of AIS. The design of the newest installment of this exhibit allows it to be packed into cases and moved to other locations and set up in myriad configurations to fit any space.
The day’s event was sponsored by the TD Friends of the Environment Fund (TD FEF), a foundation that primarily focuses on projects that preserve the environment by assisting young Canadians in understanding and participating in environmental activities. A representative from TD FEF, Giovanni Chimienti, was in attendance.
CAISN researchers contributed to the exhibit’s scientific content and enjoyed the opportunity to showcase their current research to the public including many young Canadians.
In addition to the exhibit opening, CAISN graduate Johanna Bradie, gave a slide-show presentation on AIS, and risk assessment of various pathways of AIS introduction. Bradie’s cleaver graphics showed the audience that introducing new species to an environment could disrupt the natural balance and can even cause extinction of native species if the conditions are right. In addition, she explained how scientists assess which invaders are most likely to come and how.
Grade 7 and 8 students from St. Francis elementary school, participated in the event by submitting and presenting posters on various AIS topics. Dr. Hugh MacIsaac, CAISN Director, and Elizabeta Briski, a current CAISN student, judged the posters giving top awards to a group of five students that covered the invasive Green Crab. All students expressed how they enjoyed working on the project and that they knew little, if anything, about aquatic invaders before participating in the contest.
It’s exactly for that reason that CAISN has a public outreach program and puts a lot of effort into educating people in the community about issues surrounding AIS.
Students play the STOP THE INVADERS video game
The Aquatic Invasive Species exhibit
Poster contest winners with Hugh and Elizabeta
CBC TV interviews students on what they learned
For more coverage of the day's event follow this link.
The newest AIS exhibit was created with financial assistance from the Government of Canada and The TD Friends of the Environment Fund. The exhibit includes a wide variety of information and photos of AIS, video displays and an interactive video game on how to stop the spread of AIS. The design of the newest installment of this exhibit allows it to be packed into cases and moved to other locations and set up in myriad configurations to fit any space.
The day’s event was sponsored by the TD Friends of the Environment Fund (TD FEF), a foundation that primarily focuses on projects that preserve the environment by assisting young Canadians in understanding and participating in environmental activities. A representative from TD FEF, Giovanni Chimienti, was in attendance.
CAISN researchers contributed to the exhibit’s scientific content and enjoyed the opportunity to showcase their current research to the public including many young Canadians.
In addition to the exhibit opening, CAISN graduate Johanna Bradie, gave a slide-show presentation on AIS, and risk assessment of various pathways of AIS introduction. Bradie’s cleaver graphics showed the audience that introducing new species to an environment could disrupt the natural balance and can even cause extinction of native species if the conditions are right. In addition, she explained how scientists assess which invaders are most likely to come and how.
Grade 7 and 8 students from St. Francis elementary school, participated in the event by submitting and presenting posters on various AIS topics. Dr. Hugh MacIsaac, CAISN Director, and Elizabeta Briski, a current CAISN student, judged the posters giving top awards to a group of five students that covered the invasive Green Crab. All students expressed how they enjoyed working on the project and that they knew little, if anything, about aquatic invaders before participating in the contest.
It’s exactly for that reason that CAISN has a public outreach program and puts a lot of effort into educating people in the community about issues surrounding AIS.
Students play the STOP THE INVADERS video game
The Aquatic Invasive Species exhibit
Poster contest winners with Hugh and Elizabeta
CBC TV interviews students on what they learned
For more coverage of the day's event follow this link.
10.07.2009
Spiny Water Flea: A Model Invader
Dr. Norman Yan, CAISN member and York University Professor, arranged and led the Dorset Bytotrephes Conference 2009 that took place October 1st and 2nd, 2009 at the Leslie Frost Centre south of Dorset, ON. The Centre is a Ministry of Environment site that was established in 1976, and today has partnerships with many Universities (York, Trent, Laurentian, Queen's University, to name a few) and other organizations (such as the district of Muskoka, and federation of Ontario Cottagers' Association). This is the site where CAISN researchers held their first meetings to discuss CAISN’s lake sampling efforts 6 years ago. Aside from having all of the needed amenities for the conference, it is situated on the shores of the beautiful Lake St. Nora and participants, during their down time, were able to take in the newly turning colours of autumn while on hikes and canoe trips.
The 2-day workshop in the woods included presentations by international researchers, CAISN students and Principal Investigators. As well, a meeting took place to finalize plans for all CAISN lake sampling efforts and Bythotrephes projects. Attendees were invited to visit to the nearby Ministry of the Environment FLAMES laboratory to see a live demonstration of Bythotrephes experiments. The FLAMES lab is the Field Laboratory for the Assessment of Multiple Ecological Stressors where research is done on introduced species, as well as on recovery from metal contamination and acid rain, and climate change.
As a direct result of the workshop, Dr. Yan has been able to organize a special collection of papers to cover CAISN results on Bythotrephes.
40 participants gather to hear the latest in Bythotrephes research
CAISN PIs and HQP discuss modeling techniques for Bythotrephes
The group enjoyed the outdoor scenery as well
The 2-day workshop in the woods included presentations by international researchers, CAISN students and Principal Investigators. As well, a meeting took place to finalize plans for all CAISN lake sampling efforts and Bythotrephes projects. Attendees were invited to visit to the nearby Ministry of the Environment FLAMES laboratory to see a live demonstration of Bythotrephes experiments. The FLAMES lab is the Field Laboratory for the Assessment of Multiple Ecological Stressors where research is done on introduced species, as well as on recovery from metal contamination and acid rain, and climate change.
As a direct result of the workshop, Dr. Yan has been able to organize a special collection of papers to cover CAISN results on Bythotrephes.
40 participants gather to hear the latest in Bythotrephes research
CAISN PIs and HQP discuss modeling techniques for Bythotrephes
The group enjoyed the outdoor scenery as well
8.26.2009
Mark your calendars!
The next CAISN Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place from April 26 to 28, 2010 in Victoria, BC.
The city of Victoria is British Columbia’s capital city and boasts a youthful energy that mingles with the elegance of time-honoured traditions. Its spectacular scenery includes harbour views, historic buildings and glorious gardens. The climate is moderate year-round with averages of 13°C (55°F) in the month of April.
The AGM will also schedule time around a visit to the Royal BC Museum to see CAISN’s 4th and final installment of the national Aquatic Invasive Species exhibit. A lecture will introduce the exhibit to the public. More details will be posted as the event approaches.
For more information on the city of Victoria visit their tourism site here.
7.17.2009
Red dye experiment Nº 2
Red dye (Rhodamine WT) and tracer particles will be released into the St. Clair River system near Sarnia, Ontario several times during July and August 2009, under a joint Canada-U.S. research project, led by the Canadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network (CAISN) and the Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS). Sarah Bailey, CAISN researcher and DFO scientist, is the lead Canadian scientist for the project.
The experiment will study the rate of dilution and dispersal of the dye and particles; results will be used to validate pollution/spill response and search and rescue models for the area as well as evaluate the potential for new species introductions by ballast water.
The experiment does not pose any threat to public or environmental health and has received the required approvals from both Canadian and American authorities. These dye/tracer products are routinely used by environmental and health professionals to check the integrity of water supply and sewage systems.
The results will improve the ability of both countries to manage and protect the St. Clair River system against aquatic invasive species, pollution/spills and to assist with search and rescue.
The experiment will study the rate of dilution and dispersal of the dye and particles; results will be used to validate pollution/spill response and search and rescue models for the area as well as evaluate the potential for new species introductions by ballast water.
The experiment does not pose any threat to public or environmental health and has received the required approvals from both Canadian and American authorities. These dye/tracer products are routinely used by environmental and health professionals to check the integrity of water supply and sewage systems.
The results will improve the ability of both countries to manage and protect the St. Clair River system against aquatic invasive species, pollution/spills and to assist with search and rescue.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
