Holly Isnor is the Marine Campaign Coordinator with the Ecology Action Centre in Nova Scotia, and our  guest on The Blue fish Radio Show. Holly will explain why the 184 fishers in Nova Scotia that hold swordfish harpoon licenses are interested in adding the option of filling their quota using hook-and-line, and bringing along paying customers interested in reeling in swordfish that can reach weights of 500 kilograms. Find out what it’s going to take to open up this new big game recreational fishing opportunity.

Dr. Ussif Rashid Sumaila from the University of British Columbia is widely known and highly regarded as an expert on the ability of offshore commercial fisheries to fish sustainably. His opinions are shaping Canada’s entry into a new WTO agreement on the World’s first international sustainability Treaty. Listen as Dr. Sumaila speaks with Lawrence about the role technology is having on increasing fishing pressure around the world on The Blue Fish Radio Show. 

Two new books are discussed, “In search of the Great Canadian Shark”, and “Thinking Big About Small-Scale Fisheries. Lawrence and Scottie discuss Lawrence’s work with Canon to launch the new tactile printer for the blind. The unknown Arctic fishes and control over the new commercial fishery. The extreme age of Greenland Sharks and traditional techniques to cure their meat. The movement of fish species north into the Arctic Ocean. The bid by recreational fishers in Newfoundland / Labrador to increase personal harvest limits of Northern Cod. What Muskie eat. Good news about Atlantic Salmon on a New Brunswick River thanks to a new fish-friendly bridge. New data on chemical pollutants in the St. Lawrence River stemming from treated sewage waste releases. The success of the “swish and spit” program for preventing invasive aquatic species from entering the Great Lakes. The impact of 70 new species of invasive earth worms brought to North America. A delayed oil spill mitigation effort on the Fraiser River. Methane gas leakage into the atmosphere. Efforts to create a giant garbage incinerator on the banks of the Ottawa river. Numbers of Great Lakes water usage and releases for 2022. 

According to the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, recreational fishers are routinely violating the 400-metre protection buffers around Southern Resident killer whales. The Foundation is now calling for a complete end to recreational salmon fishing in southern B.C. Joining us again on The Blue Fish Radio Show is Chris Bos, Coordinator of a south Vancouver Island Chinook salmon hatchery, President of the South Vancouver Island Anglers Coalition, and Director with the Public Fishery Alliance. Join Chris and I as we discuss the need for science-based precautionary conservation measures in the fight to save these whales and BC’s billion-dollar marine recreational fishery.

Dr. Michael Murray served as a senior biologist with the National Wildlife Federation for over 20 years. His knowledge of Great Lakes fish health and impacts of legacy and emerging toxins is tremendous, as is his experience in how different governments develop and implement fish consumption Advisories. In my role as Chair of the Great Lakes Fish Health Network, getting to meet and know Dr. Murray has been extremely helpful. More collaborations to come, but for now, it’s my honour to have Michael as a guest on this episode of The Blue Fish Radio Show.

Watersheds Canada has taken shoreline restoration to new depths with their new “Fish Habitat Enhancement Toolkit”. The free Fish Habitat Enhancement Toolkit provides grassroots organizations and community groups with project guides, updated protocols, and accompanying videos to identify suitable sites and successfully enhance various types of fish habitat. Project materials include walleye spawning bed enhancement, in-water fish habitat enhancement with woody debris, and cold-water creek enhancement. Melissa Dakers, Habitat and Stewardship Program Manager with Watersheds Canada, discusses how her organization is partnering with groups across Canada to improve unseen natural fish habitat in lakes and rivers on The Blue Fish Radio Show.

Pure Fishing’s General Manager of Canadian Operations, Rob Walton, is the new president of the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association and the Canadian National Sportfishing Foundation. Listen to Rob’s conversation with Lawrence Gunther about the role of industry to support conservation, sponsor anglers, give voice to public fisheries across Canada, and promote the mental and physical health benefits of fishing to the ever-growing number of people learning to fish. Rob also speaks about on-going advocacy and public outreach initiatives on this episode of The Blue Fish Radio Show:

Former Globe&Mail journalist Mark Hume recently penned a 4,000-word opinion piece that appeared in the Globe&Mail on June 12 2021 called “fish are caught in the middle of the catch-and-release debate”. It’s a brilliant examination of the history of angling, and why catch-and-release fishing is a justifiable and essential element of our conservation strategy. Mark is no stranger to exploring and sharing stories about fishing having written five books on nature with a 5th to come out later this fall. I reached out to Mark through a mutual friend, author and previous guest on The Blue Fish Radio Show, Bob Hooton. Link to hear my conversation with Mark as we discuss what prompted him to write the article, what groups are against catch-and-release fishing, and why we fish, on The Blue Fish Radio Show.

MP Bob Zimmer has spent the last year travelling throughout B.C. to meet and speak with public fishers about their access concerns. His videos documenting his consultations have been watched over 450,000 times. Clearly, public fishery access along the B.C. coast is a hot topic, and no wonder given that it generates $1.1 billion of economic activity spread out over numerous coastal communities. Link to hear MP Bob Zimmer speak about what he’s learned on The Blue Fish Radio show.

Brian Tutty spent 38 years as a biologist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the vast majority of which was spent on Canada’s west coast. Brian still consults on public fisheries related matters some 13 years since. I asked Brian if he could give Blue Fish Radio listeners a review of decisions taken or not over the past 50 years that led to where we are today. What I learned was startling, but should not have come as a surprise. Link below to hear Brian Tutty’s reflections on how values about wild fish changed over the years, and why we need to turn to local and indigenous round tables at the local level if wild salmon are to recover on The Blue Fish Radio Show:

Lawrence Gunther asks conservationists and anglers their opinion about the recent federal $647 million Pacific salmon restoration fund. Aaron Hill from Watershed Watch Salmon Society and Tom Davis from the Public Fishery Alliance share their misgivings and expectations. Link below to listen to these back-to-back interviews and hear their many shared and unique concerns on The Blue Fish Radio Show:

Jamie Howard from Howard Films recently released a three-part video series called “Running the Coast”. It took Jamie over four years of filming to document Striped Bass along North America’s east coast, and the people who seasonally celebrate these iconic fish throughout their journey. Filming also led Jamie on his own path of discovery as he came to learn that the future of Striped Bass is not a certainty. Jamie Howard is my guest on this episode of The Blue Fish Radio Show.

Eline Kelsey is the host of Hakai Magazine’s new five-part Sound aquatic Podcast. The series reflects growing interest around the world about how aquatic and marine animals communicate, navigate, hunt and avoid danger using sound. Water is five-times more efficient at transmitting sound, but has many limits on how light is transmitted. Elin is my guest on The Blue Fish Radio Show, and provided the different marine sounds we include in the podcast.

The Blue Fish News Live on Canadian Fishing Network includes a quick overview of the new book, “Thinking Big about Small-Scale Fisheries”. Lawrence and Scottie talk about  the new Inuit Arctic commercial fisheries . A comparison between the consolidation of Canada’s agriculture sector and what is happening with our commercial fisheries. The growth of Canada’s community supported fisheries. Research showing that male bass left alone during the six-week spawning season raise 4-times more fry than bass that are angled, and how seasonal sanctuaries could replicate this result. Where to buy fresh sustainably caught shrimp and other seafood. A huge Chinook fish kill caused by a commercial fishing vessel releasing bycatch off the coast of Vancouver Island. And the award given to Dr. Steven Cook from Carleton University by the International Game Fish Association.   

Blue Fish Radio invites Dave Brown back from the BC Public Fishery Alliance to discuss recent DFO reports related to gillnet fisheries and endangered B.C. steelhead. Newly released internal government documents shed new light on Just how crucial decisions are being made about these fisheries and the future of steelhead. Link Below for details and analysis of the reports and what it all means on The Blue Fish Radio Show:

There are anglers interested in taking their love of recreational fishing to the next level by working with the fishing industry. Whether it’s to secure the support and recognition as a tournament competitor, or to promote their favorite brands to other recreational anglers, the industry is looking for people that can give back to the sport in numerous ways. Thankfully, there are people like Angie Thompson who have transitioned from working directly in the fishing industry, to advising those who are looking to gain the industry’s support. Angie speaks about the epic influences that have radically changed the way fishing is promoted on this episode of The Blue fish Radio Show.

Angie Scott hosts the Woman Angler & Adventurer podcast to share her passion for fishing and inspire women to pursue outdoor adventures. Having grown up fishing in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.”, she now resides in Nashville living aboard her houseboat on Percy Priest Lake. I asked Angie to be a guest on The Blue Fish Radio Show, in part because we both share a passion for adventuring in our truck campers, but more importantly, to discuss her mission to give voice to others while promoting responsible recreational angling. Link below to hear how Angie Scott has grown a large and loyal audience throughout the US:

Abigale Culberson and her team from the University of New Brunswick recently conducted a series of studies to assess the Muskie population in the Saint John River, and their sustainability based on current and potential fishing pressure. The model they created reveals a 30% annual mortality rate for these non-native fish, a level anticipated to increase as fishing pressure rises. Link below to hear Abigale on The Blue fish Radio speak about the research and her team’s concerns over existing Muskie fishing regulations:

Dr. Alexandra Morton has dedicated her life to researching and understanding B.C.'s complex and interconnected coastal ecosystems. Dr. Morton’s new book “Not On My Watch” chronicles her effort and ultimate fight to get the truth out about the ruinous impacts of open pen salmon farming on wild pacific salmon. Her commitment to conduct science in the face of overwhelming opposition, and to speak truth to those in power bent on silencing her voice, is not only turning the page on an exploitative and destructive industry, but serves as a shining example of what it means to put nature first. Link below to hear Alexandra Morton discuss what she’s sacrificed personally and professionally to protect wild salmon on The Blue Fish Radio Show:

Mr. Todd Sellers is the Executive Director of the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation. Over the past 15 years the Foundation, under Todd’s leadership, has put Lake of the Woods on the map to gain the attention required to document and reverse a number of troubling trends. A lake that crosses international borders, touches two provinces and one State, and measures 100 km in width and 160 km in length, it’s known as the jewel of north-western Ontario. Link below to hear how this remote lake is now the focus of numerous governments, international bodies, and a vocal stakeholder community on The Blue Fish Radio Show:



To register for the April 14 Lake of the Woods workshops with Environment and Climate Change Canada and make your concerns known about water quality and fish health visit:

www.LOWWSF.com

To learn more about what ECCC is doing and to submit your own recommendations before the April 30 deadline visit:
www.placespeak.com/lakeofthewoods

Peter Krahn is a professional chemical/environmental engineer with 38 years experience specializing in forensic criminal environmental investigations. Now retired, Peter is developing a selective fishing technology for sustainably harvesting salmon and Steelhead to replace destructive gill nets. It supports scientific data collection, and supports selective harvesting, the removal of invasive fish species, and the release of wild fish. Listen to Peter Krahn and Dave Brown from the Public Fishery Alliance on The Blue Fish Radio Show talk with host Lawrence Gunther

Kevin Estrada is the owner of Sturgeon Slayers guided fishing in B.C. with a focus on “Catch, record, release”. Kevin leadership on Sturgeon conservation includes his championing the first ever Parliamentary bill on sturgeon that called for transitioning from gill nets to sustainable harvesting. Kevin also leads a citizen science initiative to tag and track juvenal Sturgeon, which now includes high school students. Link below to hear Kevin speak about his passion and work to conserve Fraser River Sturgeon on The Blue Fish Radio Show:

In a recent IJC report, “Assessing Progress: Climate change and algal blooms in Lake Superior”, Dr. Jay Austin, University of Minnesota’s Duluth Large Lakes Observatory, says “Lake Superior is one of the fastest-changing lakes in the world”. Dr. Austin knows this because he and his team have been measuring just how fast summer lake water temperature is warming, the decrease in duration of winter ice cover, and the increase in blue-green algal blooms. And, in 2016, 2017 and 2018, the number and intensity of storms causing erosion and shoreline infrastructure destruction. According to the IJC, “the high resource value of Lake Superior needs to be protected to maintain public trust that important resources can be saved”.

Link below to hear Dr. Austin discuss his research with editor Lawrence Gunther on The Blue Fish Radio Show, and why Lake Superior serves as an ideal model for measuring climate change impacts

Oceans are warming, fish are moving, so what can Canada’s Ocean Tracking Network tell us? We speak with dr. Frederick Whoriskey of Dalhousie University and the Executive Director of the Ocean Tracking Network. From Atlantic Salmon and Arctic Char, to Greenland and Great White sharks, and more, we find out how Canada’s east coast fish species are faring, and why Striped Bass are on the rise. Link below to hear dr. Whoriskey on The Blue Fish Radio Show:

This past December a new e-book called “Thinking Big about Small-Scale Fisheries in Canada” was released and can be downloaded for free. The book is a project of “Too Big to be Ignored Canada, a new Cross-Canadian research and knowledge sharing hub focused on increasing the visibility, recognition, and enhancement of small-scale fisheries in Canada. Evan J. Andrews, editor of the book, and Kristen Lowitt, co-author of chapter #6, are Lawrence’s guests on The Blue Fish Radio Show. Link to hear Lawrence, Evan and Kristen discuss the book, and the many common challenges facing Canadian and other small-scale fisheries around the world.

One health recognizes that every action taken in nature generates a reaction, that we need to be healthy to fully appreciate nature, and that we are dependent on nature for our physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing.
https://bluefishcanada.ca/blue-fish-news-january-13th-2021/

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters works hard to inform outdoor anglers and hunters about outdoor opportunities and restrictions. Mr. Mark Ryckman, Manager of Policy at the OFAH, speaks with Lawrence Gunther about the challenges in 2020 and this new round of stay-at-home restrictions. It’s not all bad news thanks to strong advocacy by the OFAH to keep Ontario fishing. Link below to hear Mark discuss what was learned in 2020, and how anglers are having to pivot once again:
The OFAH reached out to government officials to seek additional clarity and confirmed that fishing and hunting activities remain permitted, so long as they are consistent with public health guidelines. The OFAH is committed to sharing updates to ensure anglers and hunters are well informed. You can find out more details at www.ofah.org/covid19.

Dr. Steven Cooke and his Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory at Carleton University recently completed a survey called, “Covid-19 restrictions and recreational fisheries in Ontario”. Understanding how people engaged in outdoor activities such as angling during a pandemic is crucial to learning more about the “one-health” relationship people have with nature. Link below to hear Dr. Steven Cooke in conversation with Lawrence Gunther about the take-aways from the survey on this episode of The Blue Fish Radio Show:
https://twitter.com/sjc_fishy/status/1340281204982091778?s=21

Krystyn Tully, co-founder of Swim Drink Fish Canada, is our feature guest on The Blue Fish Radio Show. After nearly 20 years with the organization, Krystyn has decided to transition into the next phase of her career as an environmentalist. Krystyn shares her insights, advice, concerns, and hopes for Canada’s environmental movement. Link below to hear Krystyn Tully in conversation with Lawrence Gunther on The Blue Fish Radio Show:

Much like North America, Africa too has its own Great Lakes. The African Centre for Aquatic Research and Education Collaborates with freshwater experts around the world to address the challenges facing Africa’s Great Lakes. Turns out they too are wrestling with many of the same challenges we are here in North America. Link below to hear ACARE’s CEO Dr. TED Lawrence discuss with Lawrence Gunther Africa’s Great Lakes, ACARE’s knowledge transfer goals, and why an African aquatic safari should be on everyone’s bucket list on this episode of The Blue Fish Radio Show:

The new book, “Days of Rivers Past” is loaded with stories and photos chronicling the glory days of Steelhead fishing along B.C.’s coast. The author Robert Hooton is a now-retired 37-year career biologist with the B.C. government and avid Steelhead angler and is the featured guest on The Blue Fish Radio Show. Bob explains how the start of his career was tempered with a cautionary tail by the fishing sage Roderick Haig Brown, and how it led to Bob’s carefully chronicling his angling experiences over the past 45 years. Bob shares his passion, concern and collective wisdom that every angler needs to hear to ensure the future of fish and fishing. Link below to Listen to Robert Hooton in conversation with Lawrence Gunther:

Dr. John Dettmers with the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission Recently published an article about sport fish in the Great Lakes called “Whether to Manage for Economics or the Ecosystem?”. I reached out to Dr. Dettmers to be a guest on The Blue Fish Radio Show as it was clear he held another important piece of the Great Lakes fisheries puzzle. In short, what is the role, history, status and future of prey fish , mainly Alewife, Smelt and Cisco, and what does this mean for the salmon and other sportfish? Link below to hear Dr. John Dettmers on this episode of Blue Fish Radio:

Dennis Zimmermann of Big Fish Little Fish Consultants located in White Horse YT speaks with Lawrence Gunther about community interests and values, and catch and release fishing in the Yukon Territories. Denis also reveals his favorite Yukon fish species to pursue and fishing locations. Link below to hear Denis Zimmerman week on Blue Fish Radio:

Iron Maiden from the UK, formed in 1975, is one of the world’s most epic heavy metal rock groups having over 100 million record sales. Adrian Smith, Iron Maiden's lead guitarist and self professed Compulsive Angler has been keeping busy over the past year writing a book about his fishing adventures around the world, including numerous stories about his 30-year career with Iron Maiden, called Monsters of River and Rock. Link below to hear Adrian Smith speak with Lawrence Gunther about his new book on this episode of Blue Fish Radio:

Dr. Chris Somers is the scientist / angler behind the Saskatchewan Sportfish Research Group that focusses on what fish do after we let them go. Dr. Somers tags and tracks Walleye, Northern Pike, Burbot and Common Carp year-round. Dr. Somers discusses fish behavior and welfare, and his favorite outdoor fishing spots in Saskatchewan this week on Blue Fish Radio.

Scottie and Lawrence discuss the Ottawa Boat and Outdoor Show, boat prices, Striped Bass predation of salmon Smoltz, new Indigenous Conserved and Protected Area in Manitoba, leaving local communities out of marine protection talks, and offshore wind power and what it means for fishing.

For every Great Lake except Lake Erie, there is an observed decrease in the fish populations caught in offshore waters. A new report from the International Joint Commission (IJC) looks at the decline in fish populations in the offshore regions of Lakes Huron, Michigan, Ontario and Superior.
Link below to hear senior IJC scientist Dr. Joseph DePinto explain to Lawrence Gunther why the IJC is calling for water quality and fish health agencies to form a Multi-agency cooperative ecosystem monitoring and modeling advisory committee to address the potential collapse of great lakes fish stocks:
Link below to read the IJC report
https://ijc.org/en/sab/understanding-declining-productivity-offshore-regions-great-lakes?utm_source=All+Contacts+and+Stakeholders&utm_campaign=afb399fbbf-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_07_30_04_10_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_12843f1e16-afb399fbrt, “Understanding Declining Productivity in the Offshore Regions of the Great Lakes” in which they describe how the problem started with invasive zebra and quaga muscles:bf-1223860975&mc_cid=afb399fbbf&mc_eid=cf58f5b8bc

In 1975 while paddling the Fraser River Mark Angelo imagined a world that included paying respect to rivers and the life they represent. Over many years and with the assistance of countless others, Mark’s dream eventually lead to the United Nations declaring World Rivers Day – one Canadian’s dream now celebrated in over 100 countries. Link below to hear Mark Angelo in conversation with Lawrence Gunther on the importance of the relationship anglers, paddlers and so many others have with their favorite rivers, which Canadian rivers need to be on your bucket list, tips on selecting the right river adventure equipment, and how people of all interests and backgrounds have come together to celebrate and give back to the rivers that meant so much to generations of people over the centuries on this episode of Blue Fish Radio:
Link below to view the trailer to Mark Angelo’s new documentary “Last Paddle” due to start its international film festival run in January 2021
http://lastpaddle.com/ ).

Research scientist Leigh McGaughey from the St. Lawrence Institute for Environmental Science is our guest today on Blue Fish Radio. Two years ago we first heard from Leighwhen she launched the Great River Rapport initiative with the goal of collecting data and local knowledge about the health of the St. Lawrence River. Leigh is joining us again to let us know how the project is unfolding, and the crucial roles anglers, indigenous fishers, conservationists and scientists have in creating this remarkably comprehensive collection of historic and current data and knowledge. Link below to hear Leigh in conversation with Lawrence on Blue Fish Radio.
For more about the Great River Rapport visit:
https://www.riverinstitute.ca/riverrapport/
For more information and how to register for the free River Symposium visit:
https://symposium.riverinstitute.ca/
September 27th is World River's Day. Join people in Canada and around the world as we celebrate our life-giving rivers. Organize an event in your community or attend one!

Think you know everything you need to know about carp? Curious to learn what the status is regarding invasive carp and the Great Lakes? Can you tell the difference between a Grass Carp and a Common Carp? Our guest on Blue Fish Radio has all the answers and so much more! He’s Brook Schryer, Aquatic Program Specialist with the Invading Species Awareness Program. Link below to get informed about the latest news every angler should know and why, on this episode of Blue Fish Radio:
For more about the Invading Species Program or their on-line reporting and tracking map database visit
www.invadingspecies.com as well as www.EDDMapS.org/Ontario

Dr. Sean Landsman is with the Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science at Carleton University, and is a serious Muskie angler. Sean is our guest on Blue Fish Radio for a two part series where we discuss the linkage between fish health, and dams and their fish passage systems. In this 2nd and final installment Dr. Landsman explains the different fish passage systems adopted to move fish around dams, their strengths and weaknesses, and why alternative solutions may be preferable such as removal of dams when possible.

Link below to hear Dr. Landsman speak with Lawrence Gunther on Blue Fish Radio:

Sean Landsman is also a professional photographer. His work focuses on science communications, and general nature imagery, with a special interest in underwater storytelling. He’s passionate about using still photography as a visual communication tool to educate the public about nature, and is especially interested in teaching people about the aquatic world and helping foster greater care and appreciation for life beneath the water's surface. For more about Sean and access his photos visit:
www.seanlandsmanphotography.com

Dr. Sean Landsman teaches at the Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science at Carleton University, and is a serious Muskie angler. Sean is our guest on Blue Fish Radio for a two part series where we discuss the linkage between fish health, and dams and their fish passage systems. IN part one of this two part series Dr. Landsman discusses with Lawrence Gunther hydro and legacy dams, the movement of fish past dams in both directions, and why it makes sense to remove most smaller legacy dams. Link below for part one on Blue Fish Radio:
Sean Landsman is also a professional photographer. His work focuses on science communications, and general nature imagery, with a special interest in underwater storytelling. He’s passionate about using still photography as a visual communication tool to educate the public about nature, and is especially interested in teaching people about the aquatic world and helping foster greater care and appreciation for life beneath the water's surface. For more about Sean and to access his photos visit:
www.seanlandsmanphotography.com

Mr. Mike Schenk is the 2020 recipient of lifetime achievement awards from both the Ontario Conservation Officer Association and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Blue Fish Radio host Lawrence Gunther speaks with Schenk about his career, what attracted him to the profession, and what he says to young people considering a career in the outdoors. Mike and Lawrence also reflect on their shared fishing and hunting experiences growing up together in Georgetown Ontario.

IN Part I with Greg Taylor from Fish First Consulting we spoke about DFO’s absence of fisheries research and their inability to manage to make sure both enough salmon reach spawning grounds, and keeping fishers on the water informed to ensure sustainable fishing is taking place. In Part II Blue Fish Radio presents Taylor’s strategy for moving forward with stakeholders to assume greater responsibility for setting fisheries related decisions and to identify gaps in research. Link below to learn more about the proposed B.C. salmon fisheries management strategy to be released this fall.

Greg Taylor from Fish First Consulting is our guest this week and next on Blue Fish Radio. In part I Greg talks to us about the state of salmon stocks and research along Canada’s west coast, and why DFO seems to be grasping at straws when it comes to managing Fraser River salmon fisheries. Listen to Greg talk about why DFO needs to adopt salmon recovery initiatives and to respect recreational fishing interests on this episode of Blue Fish Radio

Bob Cole is part of (and a founding member) of the west coast’s most successful fisheries round table. The Port Alberni and Area 23 round table involves all fishery stakeholders. Their collective decision taking model has meant sustainable salmon numbers and equitable access to stocks for all concerned. Listen as Bob speaks with Lawrence Gunther about the successes and challenges of the round table, and how it can serve as a management model for the rest of B.C. on this episode of Blue Fish Radio.

Port Alberni salmon stakeholders include local and area First Nations, two of the three commercial sectors ( Area B Seine and Area gillnetters), plus the Somass bands Economic Opportunity fishers, the West Coast Aquatic Stewardship Association, processors, environmental groups, and DFO and their Robertson Creek hatchery (the largest DFO production hatchery on the West Coast). The cooperative model has developed tables and parameters that include environmental conditions, Fish fecundity, social and economic benefits as well as managing water levels with the local dams for the benefit of fish migration. It’s meant fish stock abundance and open fisheries. The round table meets 2-3 times for full day sessions in the off season, and meets weekly to take Fishery management decisions in season.

Lawrence and Scottie discuss the evolution of outdoor shows, Blue Fish Canada’s mandate, one health, next generation anglers, and what constitutes sustainable fishing.

Jeff Wilson, the man behind the Miramichi River Striper Cup, is now championing a new fishing tournament, the Atlantic Angler Challenge. Jeff has teamed up with professor Trevor Avery from Acadia University and CEO Sean Simmons from Angler Atlas to make this tournament both a competitive event with great prizes, and a citizen science project designed to advance fisheries management. Listen as Jeff explains to Lawrence Gunther how he’s recruiting anglers and sponsors to be part of a revolutionary recreational fishing event taking place throughout all four Atlantic Canadian provinces.

Professor Trevor Avery teaches and conducts fisheries research out of Acadia University in Nova Scotia. More recently he’s teamed up with Jeff Wilson of the Striper Cup and Sean Simmons of Anglers Atlas to form a ground-breaking recreational fisheries research initiative called the Atlantic Anglers Challenge. The initiative rewards anglers to download and use the MyCatch app to track and report their angling pressure and success. Listen as professor Avery shares with Lawrence Gunther his rationale and expectations for the research that is now taking place across all four Atlantic provinces on this episode of Blue Fish Radio.
Link here:
Trevor Avery is an Associate Professor, Biology and Mathematics & Statistics, at Acadia University. The Atlantic Anglers Challenge is a multi-species, multi-season tournament and Covid-19 fundraiser. It uses MyCatch to record anglers catches including fish size, location, and time fishing. Anglers are introduced to Angler's Atlas, an online database for their fishing days, and the data is used by researchers to answer questions on fish biology and fisheries science. Fish biology questions might be where species are found, including discovery of invasive species, color patterns, and sizes. Fisheries science questions might include estimating relative catches based on effort fishing (known as catch-per-unit-effort) and size distribution. In all cases, a tournament designed partly with fish diversity in mind, such as all species and all sizes count, instead of just the largest or most fish provides much more data to researchers to investigate fish. Link below for more information about the research.

David Brown received the highest honor Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans can bestow to a recreational angler for his work on restoring West Coast salmon. Now Dave has taken it to the next level with his formation of the Public Fishery Alliance and a protest in front of DFO’s Vancouver office. Link below to hear David in Conversation with Lawrence Gunther immediately following the protest on Blue Fish Radio: