As Robert J. Pye noted in his blog “The Outdoors Journey,” there are many researchers, organizations and associations actively committed to maintaining the health and sustainability of our waterways and ecosystems. Conservationism is an intentional act, rooted in our connection to the lakes we fish, the animals we hunt, and the other natural resources we use and consume. But the efforts we make to ensure long-term sustainability must be supported by sound scientific research. This interrelation between compassionate devotion and scientific objectivity is crucial to our ongoing success as conservationists.
Dr. Steven Cooke’s team at Carleton University helps protect and manage fisheries and aquatic ecosystems through a variety of ongoing research projects. Their lab takes a special interest in Conservation Physiology, a discipline which examines how fish and other organisms respond to changes in their environments — whether as a result of human interaction or natural occurrences. They use a number of methods to acquire their data, including tagging.
The Cooke Lab is currently focusing some of their efforts on the Rideau Watershed, where they are tagging, tracking and monitoring small and large-mouth bass using acoustic receivers and micro acoustic transmitters. To complete this important task, they are asking for help in two ways:
- Providing information about your personal experiences fishing the Rideau Watershed. Have you ever fished for bass on Big Rideau Lake? Take this 10-minute survey to tell their research team about your experiences.
- Fund a fish! Donate to their Rideau Watershed project and help be an active part of the scientific process. Donors will receive personalized information on the fish they’ve “funded,” including where it was tagged, where it swam, and ultimately, how the data the fish provided will improve fisheries management in the area.
If you would like to learn more about the Cooke Lab at Carleton University, visit www.fecpl.ca.
Keep Canada Fishing is the national voice of Canada’s anglers, and we lead the effort to preserve your right to sustainably fish on our lakes, oceans, rivers and streams. By informing anglers of current and potential issues and threats affecting recreational fishing and access to public waters, our goal is to motivate anglers to take action on matters of importance to the future of fishing and conservation. We’re also your voice on Parliament Hill. If you would like to contribute to our efforts to “Keep Canada Fishing,” you can donate now via PayPal.
