wheels out of water: Keep out!

listen to ‘wheels out of water: Keep out!’ on Audioboo

Awareness ad to remind OHV'ers to stay out of creeks, rivers, streams, muskegs and other sensitive fish habitats.

Culverts: Big Problem, Simple Solution

Culverts: Big Problem, Simple Solution

by Chad Shmukler, Hatch Magazine

Dam removal is receiving a great deal of attention lately, and deservedly so. On many of the nations rivers, especially larger ones, dams have become outdated, costly and inefficient. Dams have also long blocked fish passage, disrupted habitat, and damaged or destroyed wild fish populations...

... Orvis and Trout Unlimited have joined forces in their ongoing 1,000 mile project, which seeks to reconnect -- you guessed it -- 1,000 miles of rivers and streams currently blocked by culverts...

Read more here: http://bit.ly/1qrAiSa

Pollution from British Columbia coal mining threatens fish habitat in Canada, Montana

Teck’s Greenhills mine with Fording River in background © Garth Lenz – iLCP

Pollution from British Columbia coal mining threatens fish habitat in Canada, Montana

By The Associated Press/Tristan Scott, The Missoulian, March 25, 2013

WHITEFISH, Mont. — A study by University of Montana researchers shows that pollutants leeching into the heavily mined Elk River drainage in southeastern British Columbia have reached alarming levels, particularly as a metal-like element called selenium threatens critical fish habitat in Canada, as well as downstream in Montana.

The Missoulian reports the study was commissioned by Glacier National Park and carried out by Ric Hauer, a professor of limnology, and Erin Sexton, a research scientist, both at the Flathead Lake Biological Station of the University of Montana.

Read more here: http://bit.ly/ZQ7FAa

Ottawa set to cut 130 positions from fish habitat programs (text only)

"Trout Unlimited Canada CEO Jeff Surtees and others comment briefly on the closure of DFO offices across Canada in this CBC news piece." - TUC

Text only. Please see previous post for CBC TV News clip. 

Ottawa set to cut 130 positions from fish habitat programs

Changes a result of new direction caused by changes in the Fisheries Act

CBC News

Posted: Jul 24, 2012

Federal habitat management programs will soon be closed around the country, says the union representing Department of Fisheries and Oceans workers.

Ottawa is set to trim the number of habitat management programs across Canada from 63 to 15, eliminating more than 130 jobs, representatives of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) told CBC News.

On Tuesday, the department responded with a written response to CBC News confirming that 130 positions will be lost.

"This does not necessarily mean that they will lose their job; they may be asked to relocate or be redeployed within the department or government," Kevin Hill, director of communications said, adding that no fisheries officers will lose their jobs.

Hill also said there has been no final decision on office closures.

But Marianne Hladun, who speaks for PSAC, said the only offices remaining in the Prairie region will be in Edmonton and Winnipeg.

“It’s going to be too late. By the time this government realizes they've made a mistake, they could seriously damage the environment, the ecosystem, to a point of no return,” Hladun said.

The programs were established to protect fish habitat and monitor industrial development on or near water.

Ottawa set to cut 130 positions from fish habitat programs

TUC Fish Habitat Photo Collection

From TUC:

"This is fish habitat (Volcanoe Creek, Sheep River country Alberta). Send us a photo of your favorite fish habitat and we will create the most beautiful album ever. Send them to jsurtees@tucanada.org. Be sure to tell us where it is. (Province and general area . . . . we don't expect you to give up your secret spots!)"

Fish Habitat Protection Endangered

Reforms to the Fisheries Act that would end federal oversight over much of the country's fresh water are proving difficult for some provinces to swallow. (Canadian Press)

This topic has received very little coverage in the Calgary media.

We think it’s an important issue deserving of more attention. We hope you agree.

Otto Langer, a retired federal fisheries biologist, released two weeks ago a leaked internal information spelling out planned changes to the Fisheries Act.

A section that went into force in 1986, prohibiting any activities that could harm fish habitat, would be replaced by a ban on anything causing an "adverse effect" on "fish of economic, cultural or ecological value."

The Harper government had planned to slip these significant changes to the Fisheries Act into its Budget Omnibus Bill, which is set to be delivered on March 29.

Mr. Langer has since responded to the Fisheries Minister's defence of the plan that many are saying would gut the fisheries act.

There has been growing opposition to this proposed move.

Trout Unlimited Canada’s CEO Jeff Surtees wrote a letter to Keith Ashfield, Minister of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

Jeff Surtees was also interviewed on Lets Go Outdoors radio regarding this topic.

Two former Progressive Conservative cabinet ministers (both also former Fisheries Ministers), Thomas Siddon and John Fraser, have spoken out very strongly against the proposed changes.

A group of 625 scientists, including David Schindler (U of A), sent a letter urging the government to abandon any changes.

The Canadian Society For Ecology and Evolution, representing 1,000 ecologists and evolutionary biologists, in a letter to Ashfield from president Jeffrey Hutchings, said "In the interests of transparency and accountability, and in the interests of Canadian society, we respectfully request that the science advice received in this regard be made publicly available without delay.”

In addition to the links provided above, two more very informative articles have appeared: Fish habitat: Why rock the boat? and Federal budget may rile environmentalists.

If you are concerned about these proposed changes, there are several options available to make your views known.

You can sign a petition that has been making the rounds of the fly fishing community.

You can personalize, and send, an electronic message via the Sierra Club,

However, your most effective course of action (in our opinion) would be to write to your MP, Minister Keith Ashfield and Prime Minister Harper at your earliest convenience.

Or perhaps best of all, follow up with all three!

And do it today. The clock is ticking.

TUC Responds Regarding Leaked DFO Document

Photo: Copyright Bow River Shuttles 2012

Lesley Petersen (Biologist) & Jeff Surtees (CEO)

Trout Unlimited Canada

TUC Responds Regarding Leaked DFO Document

In response to concerns of Trout Unlimited Canada members and supporters across Canada regarding potential changes to the fish habitat provisions of the federal Fisheries Act, CEO Jeff Surtees wrote to The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

A press release by a former Department of Fisheries and Oceans biologist, Otto Langer has been widely reported in the media. That press release stated that Mr. Langer had been provided with a leaked government document which says that Cabinet is planning to water down the habitat protection provisions of the Canada Fisheries Act by deleting the habitat protection provisions of section 35 of the Act and replacing it with a new section which does not mention or protect habitat.

The story, as reported by CBC News, can be seen here

TUC’s letter of concern to Minister Ashfield can be viewed here

TUC CEO Talks to Lets Go Outdoors

Trout Unlimited Canada CEO Jeff Surtees talks to Lets Go Outdoors radio regarding potential changes to the fish habitat provisions on the federal Fisheries Act.

Please visit the Lets Go Outdoors website to listen to this interesting interview.

VIA: TUC Newsroom