Spiel

....All my fishing trips are a humbling experience.

Invader gobbling up East Coast, Caribbean fish Lionfish spread could become 'most devastating marine invasion in history' Wed., Aug. 13, 2008 / ap.org Doug Kesling / NOAA via AP - These lionfish were seen swimming at a depth of about 130 feet roughly 55 miles off the coast of North Carolina in July 2006. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - A maroon-striped marauder with venomous spikes is rapidly multiplying in the Caribbean's warm waters and even off the East Coast — swallowing native species, stinging divers and generally wreaking havoc on an ecologically delicate region. The red lionfish, a tropical native of the Indian and Pacific oceans that probably escaped from a Florida fish tank, is showing up everywhere — from the coasts of Cuba and Hispaniola to Little Cayman's pristine Bloody Bay Wall, one of the region's prime destinations for divers. Wherever it appears, the adaptable predator corners fish and crustaceans up to half its size with its billowy fins and sucks them down in one violent gulp. Research teams observed one lionfish eating 20 small fish in less than 30 minutes. "This may very well become the most devastating marine invasion in history," said Mark Hixon, an Oregon State University marine ecology expert who compared lionfish to a plague of locusts. "There is probably no way to stop the invasion completely." A white creature with maroon stripes, the red lionfish has the face of an alien and the ribbony look of something that survived a paper shredder — with poisonous spikes along its spine to ward off enemies. Scale of invasion is unique The invasion is similar to that of other aquarium escapees such as walking catfish and caulerpa, a fast-growing form of algae known as "killer seaweed" for its ability to crowd out native plants. The catfish are now common in South Florida, where they threaten smaller fish in wetlands and fish farms. In Africa, the Nile Perch rendered more than 200 fish species extinct when it was introduced into Lake Victoria. The World Conservation Union calls it one of the 100 worst alien species invasions. "Those kinds of things happen repeatedly in fresh water," Hixon said. "But we've not seen such a large predatory invasion in the ocean before." The lionfish so far has been concentrated in the Bahamas, where marine biologists are seeing it in every habitat: in shallow and deep reefs, off piers and beaches, and perhaps most worrisome, in mangrove thickets that are vital habitats for baby fish. Some spots in the Bahamian archipelago between New Providence and the Berry Islands are reporting a tenfold increase in lionfish just during the last year. Mark Albins / Oregon State University via AP - A lionfish swims off Lee Stocking Island in the Bahamas in July 2007. Northern Caribbean islands have sounded the alarm, encouraging fishermen to capture lionfish and divers to report them for eradication. The invasion would be "devastating" to fisheries and recreational diving if it reached Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to Eugenio Pineiro-Soler of the Caribbean Fishery Management Council. "I think at the best they will have a huge impact on reef fish, and at the worst will result in the disappearance of most reef fish," said Bruce Purdy, a veteran dive operator who has helped the marine conservation group REEF with expeditions tracking the invasion.

No one reason for lower lake levels August 13, 2008 SCOTT DUNN / owensoundsuntimes.com Changes to the St. Clair River bed are responsible for a 13-centimetre drop in lakes Huron and Michigan and in Georgian Bay, according to preliminary finding of an extensive binational scientific examination. The preliminary results were discussed Tuesday night at a public meeting attended by some 75 people at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre and hosted by the International Upper Great Lakes Study group's public interest advisory committee. Several local politicians, including Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MP Larry Miller, Bruce County Warden Milt McIver and Owen Sound Mayor Ruth Lovell attended. Those in the audience raised dozens of concerns, including the loss of pike and lake trout spawning areas due to dropping lake levels and a suggestion that hot water from the nuclear plant near Kincardine may be increasing the temperature and evaporation rate of Lake Huron. One man asked what lowering Lake Superior by one inch would do to the levels of the other Great Lakes, while another raised the notion of diverting rivers in northern Ontario away from James Bay and into Superior. A Lion's Head boater complained he can't get his sailboat to his dock now and a Mallory Beach homeowner said the shoreline has widened by 40 feet over the last 10 years. Paradoxically, this summer's unusually wet weather has resulted in Lake Huron and Lake Michigan levels 22 centimetres higher than a year ago, the meeting was told. Huron, however, is still 36 centimetres below its 1918- 2007 average for early July. Ted Yuzykj, the Canadian co-chair of the study group, suggested at the meeting it doesn't appear the dredging of the northerly mouth of the St. Clair River is the main concern as some suspected. "There is something going on there," he said. "Almost 90 per cent" of the area responsible for increased flow is at the south end of the river, he said. Exactly what is responsible for the five per cent increase in the river flow -- which occurred sometime between 1972 and 2000, the two dates when data are available -- remains to be studied, he said. But scientists are considering whether any of the 12 ships which sank in the river changed the flow and affected the riverbed. He also said the riverbed has stabilized. Yuzyk said there appears not to be "one smoking gun" but rather a number of possible causes which have combined to reduce the levels of the upper Great Lakes. A key one appears to be increased evaporation, largely due to the increasingly infrequent ice cover on the lakes in winter when most of lake evaporation occurs, said Jim Bruce, a noted Canadian meteorologist and study advisor. He's a founding member of the International Panel on Climate Change, which shared the Nobel Prize with former U. S. vice-president Al Gore last December. The study's preliminary findings also suggest less precipitation has fallen in the upper Great Lakes than the lower lakes and glacial rebound, or tilt of the lakebeds, which is viewed as a relatively minor factor, are all factors at play. The International Upper Great Lakes Study, which began in March 2007, is looking into whether dredging in the St. Clair River in 1962 is contributing to low levels in the upper Great Lakes today. It's also examining whether regulation of outflows from Lake Superior might be improved to take into consideration climate change, interests of property owners, ecosystems, local governments, the shipping sector, hydro power and the recreation/ tourism industry. While the overall project has a five-year timeline, a final report regarding the St. Clair River is due in June 2009. If the International Upper Great Lakes Study confirms more water is escaping the upper Great Lakes because of dredging and erosion of the river, the study will look at solutions, possibly underwater walls to slow the flow or a submerged turbine which would generate power while slowing the flow, the meeting learned. The Georgian Bay Association cottager group has organized to focus attention on the role it believes dredging of the St. Clair River has had on declining water levels in the bay. It paid for a $250,000 study by Baird & Associates Coastal Engineers in 2004 which, along with other voices, led to inclusion of the St. Clair River issue in the overall study and moved it to the top of the agenda. That study found that dredging a shipping channel in the river in 1962 "effectively opened a bigger drain hole in the Great Lakes," the association's president said when the study results were announced.

Burwell harbour study a possibility for Bayham August 12, 2008 Jeff Helsdon / tillsonburgnews.com An entirely new solution to Port Burwell Harbour’s woes might be at hand. At Thursday’s council meeting, Mayor Lynn Acre told council she had been asked by Elgin-Middlesex-London MP Joe Preston to come up with ideas for infrastructure projects in the municipality. When polling councillors, Deputy Mayor Cliff Evanitski suggested a hydrological study of the mouth of the Big Otter Creek could find answers to many long-unanswered questions. It is known the Big Otter is the largest source of sediment on the north shore of Lake Erie. But, when dredging has taken place in the past, the harbour has filled in as the result of storms, not sedimentation from the creek. Past suggestions have included punching holes in the rock pier to allow the natural flow along the shoreline and narrowing the channel. “Until we have someone look at it, we can sit and talk about it until we’re blue in the face,” Evanitski said, adding the study results would help with future planning. Coun. Wayne Casier agreed, saying if the harbour were more user-friendly, people would come.

Feds fork over clean up funds August 11, 2008 04:11 PM John Slykhuis / yorkregion.com Georgina: The ailing Maskinonge River in Georgina and East Gwillimbury got a $48,800 grant today as part of the federal government's Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund. York-Simcoe MP Peter Van Loan made the cheque presentation to representatives from the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, Ministry of Natural Resources, York Environmental Stewardship and Friends of the Maskinonge. The money is almost two thirds of the $77,000 total cost and is also supported by the towns of Georgina and East Gwillimbury and York Region. "The Maskinonge is an important part of Lake Simcoe's watershed," said Virginia Hackson, chairperson of the conservation authority, expressing her thanks. "Community concern about the Maskinonge River's health has been increasing," Mr. Van Loan said. "Today's announcement is a first step on working to reverse the decline of a river under environmental stress." The conservation authority will also be receiving $17,150 to reduce phosphorus and soil erosion by planting riparian areas along the East Holland River and $13,000 to the Roches Point Eco Park project. These projects are part of the federal government's $30 million program over five years to preserve and protect Lake Simcoe.

Junction Creek remediation celebrated Aug. 12, 2008 BY BILL BRADLEY / northernlife.ca Local dignitaries including Mayor Rodriguez, Coun. Joe Cimino, Coun. Joscelyne Landry-Altmann and Laurentian University professor Jorge Virchez release fish into Junction Creek off of Webbwood Drive. The stream bed was contaminated with creosote from Domtar operations in the past. Photo by Bill Bradley. Contaminated sites can be cleaned up and returned to a more natural state if people have the will to find a solution, said participants at a special Junction Creek celebration Monday. A section of Junction Creek contaminated with creosote from Domtar's historic railway tie operations was the subject of an intense remediation process in 2007. On Monday, the end of the major ecological restoration process was celebrated by local politicians, city staff, non-profit activists and community members. “I grew up across the street from here,” said Ward 1 Coun. Joe Cimino. “We kids played here whether we were allowed to or not. Today this creek is more alive than when I was a kid and that fact makes me proud to be here as the councillor representing this part of my ward,” said Cimino. The clean-up involved the removal of 14,000 tonnes of contaminated soil (almost 31 million pounds), $3.3 million in funding from Canadian Pacific Railway, Domtar and City of Greater of Sudbury and community partnerships to make it happen. Most of the work was undertaken last year. Even the creek bed itself was re-engineered to add ripples which mimic natural conditions. Today almost a dozen species of fish dwell in the waters. But it was not always so. In 1999 volunteers with the Junction Creek Stewardship Committee discovered black patches of what turned out to be creosote residue oozing from the creek bank. The area had been contaminated by a creosote plant which operated on the north shore of the creek from the 1920's to the 1960's in the vicinity of Webbwood Drive. The community organization which was involved in cleaning up sections of the creek all along its length contacted city staff. They in turn immediately brought in officials from the Ontario Ministry of Environment and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans to determine the best course of action. A detailed soil analysis found there was no risk to human health, but that aquatic life could be threatened. Cimino praised city staff for taking the lead on the project. “Greg Clausen, general manager of infrastructure services for the city, was key because he was the one who forged the (financial) partnership between the private sector landowners and the city,” said Cimino. “Kevin Shaw, director of engineering services, spent countless hours seeing to it that all the technical details of this project were carried through.” Jorge Virchez, co-chair of the Junction Creek Stewardship Committee, said the work was successfully completed because all parts of the community pulled together. “Sometimes it is easy to lay blame on those who caused the problem. In this case collaboration prevailed - the private sector, government and the community stepped up to get this work done. We need to clap and celebrate this triumph.”

Lakes treated like a 'toilet' August 05, 2008 Shawn Jeffords, Sarnia Observer The practice of freighters dumping waste cargo on the U.S. side of the Great Lakes is causing lasting harm and has to stop, environmentalists and local politicians say. Though the practice of “cargo sweeping” is against the law, it is not enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard and hasn’t been for 70 years. As a result, 550 tons of coal, limestone, iron ore and taconite are dumped into the lakes every year by cargo ships, a coalition of environmental groups say. “I don’t think people living on the Great Lakes think we need weaker environmental laws,” said Mark Mattson, president of Lake Ontario Waterkeeper. “This is a real threat to our lakes.” The U.S. Coast Guard has called for feedback on its current policy of not enforcing the law, and the environmental groups plan to respond by September. The group includes the National Wildlife Federation, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, Great Lakes United and Alliance for the Great Lakes, Mattson said cargo sweeping is so widespread that a “highway” of debris now litters the bottom of Lake Ontario. Some deposits are coal and iron ore, which in turn contain mercury. Shipping companies must take responsibility for the waste they create, he said. “We can’t go back any further despite the fact that business might find this to be a cheap alternative to doing this onshore, where they probably have to dispose of this stuff properly.” Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley said the coalition should be encouraged. “Why we allow the Great Lakes to be treated like a toilet bowl I don’t know,” he said. The shipping industry has fallen on hard times and keeping its health and the environment in balance must be a priority, the mayor added. “Defending the Great Lakes is like being in a constant war. The more pro-active things we do, the better.” Sarnia-Lambton MP Pat Davidson said the practice risks the introduction of more invasive species like zebra mussels. The Harper government has spent a “great deal” of money on Great Lakes clean up and it doesn’t want to see setbacks, she said. “I can’t imagine that we would not be in support of banning this. It’s illegal to do in Canada and I think it should be illegal in the States as well.”

Water Forum to focus on major issues facing watershed www.grandriver.ca The major issues confronting the Grand River watershed, from population growth to climate change, will be the subject of presentations at the Eighth Annual Grand River Watershed Water Forum on Sept. 19 in Cambridge. The annual event, which attracts about 400 participants, takes place at the head office of the Grand River Conservation Authority, 400 Clyde Rd. from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration is open to the public and details about the program, speakers and registration (including an online registration process), can be found in the Water Forum section of the GRCA website. The registration fee of $90, or $55 for students and seniors, includes lunch. The theme for the forum is "Reflecting Change – Mirrored in the Water" and addresses the impact that human activities have on water quality and water supplies. The nationally- and internationally-known speakers will address current water issues and show how research and applied science can help bring about improvements. Keynote speakers at the event include: - Isobel Heathcote, professor of environmental science and environmental engineering at the University of Guelph. "Population Growth, Land Use Change and Watershed Management" - James P. Bruce, Canadian Policy Representative, Soil and Water Conservation Society. "Climate Change and Water" - Rob de Loë, Canada Research Chair in Water Management, University of Guelph. "Water Policy and Governance – Getting it Right" - Paul Emerson, CAO of the Grand River Conservation Authority. "Sixth Annual Grand River Watershed Report" - Mark Servos, Canada Research Chair in Water Quality Protection, University of Waterloo. "Linking Research to Practical Solutions – The Grand River Science Dialogue" - Eva G. Abal, Scientific Co-ordinator, South East Queensland Healthy Waterways Partnership in Brisbane, Australia. "Translating Science into Knowledge" - Gord Miller, environmental commissioner of Ontario, who will provide a wrap-up of the day’s presentations. The forum will also include a panel discussion entitled "Thinking Beyond the Status Quo" with panelists Gerry Wheeler of the City of Guelph, Oliver M. Brandes of the POLIS Project on Ecological Governance at the University of Victoria, Jim Brickman of the Brick Brewing Company and Don Lewis of the Ontario Centres of Excellence. In addition to the presentations and panels, there will be displays and exhibits highlighting innovative water technologies and services, as well as the environmental programs of business, government agencies and environmental organizations. ----------------------------------------- Further information: Dave Schultz, GRCA Manager of Communications Phone: (519) 621-2763, Ext. 2273 Fax: (519) 621-4844 E-mail: Dave Schultz

Elite fishermen share Lake Erie tactics August 10, 2008 Rod Watson / buffalonews.com Local anglers might regard Lake Erie as a structure fisherman’s paradise because of steep breaklines in areas such as Seneca Shoal, Waverly Shoal and Meyers Reef. But the pros who scorched the smallmouth during last weekend’s Bassmaster Elite Series tournament call Erie a “dishpan” and found their big fish in the relatively flat areas most weekend anglers ignore. “A lot of people think it’s got to be like a 10-foot drop,” said former Bassmaster Classic champ Michael Iaconelli, who finished fifth while fishing not far outside the Small Boat Harbor. “What holds these fish is just a tiny break, 1 to 3 feet.” Pro Brian Snowden, for instance, found fish in an area that dropped from 30 to 34 feet — but was so flat that he had to cover nearly 100 feet of water just to get that 4-foot change in depth. So how do the pros find these barely perceptible spots? “Use a good graph and locate the bait fish on the humps,” was winner Kotaro Kiriyama’s succinct advice. But it’s not quite that easy. “I drive around a lot looking at my electronics,” said first-day leader Matt Reed. He runs back and forth over an area at slow speed “looking for the depth changes, rocks and that sort of stuff.” “We spend a lot more time idling around looking for things than we do fishing,” said Snowden, who finished 15th in the field of 106. In a 12- hour practice day, he said, the pros might spend only three to four hours with a lure in the water and the rest of that time motoring around. One key in that tedious search is to use the graph’s “zoom” function, which a lot of weekend anglers never utilize. It zeroes in on the portion of the water column near the bottom, accentuating the small contour changes. Todd Faircloth, for example, fished an area that dropped from 28 to 32 feet. “It’s really hard to see that if you don’t have your zoom chart on,” said Faircloth, who temporarily moved into first place in the Bassmaster Angler of the Year race with his sixth-place finish here. While looking for those little contour changes, the pros also look for fish, which are easy to spot — along with your lure — on today’s sophisticated fish-finders. In fact, on Erie the fish are deep enough that they aren’t scared off by the boat. That allows what’s been dubbed “video game fishing.” You fish a drop-shot — a small plastic worm or minnow on a hook tied 12 inches or so above the sinker, with a swivel to prevent line twist — directly under the boat. You can actually see the swivel, worm and sinker on the graph as they descend — and then watch the bass come and take the bait. “I’m pretty much seeing [on the graph] all the fish I’m catching this week,” Faircloth said during the tournament. The other thing to look for are the gobies, the tiny invaders that are welcomed by bass and the anglers who chase them. The bass feed on the gobies, said Iaconelli, who fished his drop-shots with tungsten weights because “tungsten is super hard, so you can feel everything on the bottom.” Feel for the spot when the sinker starts hitting rubble instead of smooth bottom, and feel for the tap, tap, tap of the gobies. The key on Lake Erie? That’s simple, according to Iaconelli: Find the rubble and the gobies in the same spot. “You know you’re going to get bit when that happens,” he said.

...Ah man this sucks. I feel for you Ron, for you and your family. God bless .

....Wonderful, a lovely report Cliff and kudos to Big Cliff and Sue for getting yous all back together.

....Yikes I'd have pooped myself......twice. Glad you made shore safely and without injury Ric.

....Got it, looks good as usual.

....Good job Steve, congrats to you both. Dalrymple is one of me favourite little lakes, always been good to me for bass and eyes. I hope I can fit a few days in up there before the summer's over.

....A fine family outing inded.

....Though I've never been I'd definitely look into a day on the Bow River, perhaps a guided trip.

....Thanks Bushart, definitely some tips there for us outdoor and BBQ'ing folk.

....I may very well take you up on that someday Ric, thank you much.

....Those is some damn fine "eyes" Marty, yep damn fine! Good to see y'all had a great trip. To bad bout the muskies and the hook on that Double Cowgirl, fortunately it can be replaced and you'll heal (big baby ). So you gonna make the Lakair weekend in September?

....Man oh man I've always wanted to fish stripers and Lord willing someday I will. Good to see you're hooking up Ric.

....I guess you won't have a boat in tow Bill?

....Oh yea, the train.

*spews coffee on keyboard* Thanks!

....Great report Tom. Almost made it there 2 summers ago with TEP but ended up staying in Vermillion Bay due to the algae bloom on LOTW. Stayed at an old motel a few blocks behind Bobby's (got the shirt ) actually right between the tavern and the public launch. I'd go back in heart beat and would definitely take more coin for Bobby's.

....Good stuff Terry. I haven't been up in that area for a number of years now and posts like this have me asking myself, why?