Media Highlights -
April 2002 Edition

WELCOME to the third edition of Wavelengths, a compendium of recent media stories about Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Across the country, we look beyond the headlines of the day to bring you some of the success stories written about the department. 

Enjoy Wavelengths and as always, we welcome your opinions, feedback and story suggestions. Contact our editor at dundassh@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

The early bird gets…$4 million

he lowly worm became big news in February, with the announcement that you will need a licence to dig for marine worms in the Scotia Fundy Region. It seems the slimy morsels, more commonly known as bloodworms, are a lucrative export to the US and Europe as bait for sports fishermen. The estimated landed value for marine worms in 2001 was $4 million.

The Shelburne Coast Guard reported a total of 15 licences will be issued to commercial worm harvesters who apply be the end of 2002. (February 12, 2002). The Yarmouth Vanguard said the licensed diggers will help gather data for DFO scientists who want to know more about these wriggling gems. (February 12, 2002)

Now it looks like New Brunswick wants to dig into the worm business as well. In an interview with CBC Radio in Saint John, DFO’s Gary Weber explained how the worms are harvested by hand in the flats of intertidal zones. He said the industry may spread to New Brunswick…if there’s enough interest and enough worms.

Weber explained that even recreational fishers will have to get a $10 recreational licence to dig up worms for weekend fishing. It seems so many people want to dig up so many worms that DFO had to step in and control the fishery…or perhaps wormery.

The last of their kind

n February, CBC Radio, CBC TV and Newsworld reported extensively on the plight of the Atlantic Whitefish, an endangered species found  only in three landlocked lakes near Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.  Only a few thousand of the species are left in the world…and DFO scientists have managed to breed the first Atlantic Whitefish in captivity.

Reporter Cynthia Kent travelled to the labs and lakes to tell the story of the accomplishments of Rod Bradford, a Species at Risk Biologist, and John Whitelaw who supervises the hatchery.

CBC TV, Newsworld and CBC Radio carried her reports about the scientists’ commitment to this last-ditch effort to save the species.

The report outlined John Whitelaw’s painstaking monitoring of the hatchery where he hopes to turn 14 adults into about 7,000 or 8,000 fish.

The Atlantic Whitefish is an ancestral form of the lake whitefish, more commonly found and not endangered. The reports referred to them as an ‘old branch on the tree of life’. There’s no question that these DFO scientists are excited about the possible success of their mission, while feeling a great responsibility.

As is always the case, the final word goes to the reporter.

First Nations business savvy

n mid-February, CBC Radio did an expansive report on the economic spin-offs of the Marshall decision among First Nations in the Maritimes. Business reporter Jennifer Henderson reported on the various business projects launched by Native Communities affected by the decision. The communities have signed fisheries agreements with DFO and have received vessels, gear and training to help them earn a livelihood within the Atlantic fishery.

The report focused on the thriving business partnerships established by Membertou First Nation near Sydney, Nova Scotia. The Chief Executive Officer of the Band, Bernd Christmas, says his community can’t sit and wait for job offers to come in. He feels the community has to offer a partnership with established industries and hope for the best.

The report outlined Membertou’s achievements, including 70 jobs at one of Clearwater’s processing plants and a profit-sharing agreement for snow crab.

CBC also interviewed the manager of a native-owned bank that has just opened in Fredericton. He said the financial implications of the government’s response to the Marshall decision have only begun to have an impact.

The report outlined several successes among Bands such as Millbrook, Eel Ground, St Mary’s, and Eel River Bar of New Brunswick, who are establishing a $6 million Aboriginal healing garden.

Mad at H.A.D.D. in Manitoba

t may not be a page-turner, authored by the likes of John Grisham or Stephen King…but the Dauphin Herald did a remarkable job of explaining DFO’s role in protection of Manitoba’s fish habitats. The story hinged on an interview with the department’s district manager, David Fraser. He outlined the role DFO plays, the legislative framework that enables habitat protection, and the need for more public awareness of the issues.

Pressure on habitats has led to declining stocks and Fraser pointed out this is critical to the province’s fishing industry.

A key concept of the government’s guidelines is HADD: the prevention of Harmful Alteration, Disruption or Destruction of Fish Habitat. The report outlined the sections of the Fisheries Act that provide for the protection of habitat, water flows, and even the use of explosives. It also explained the many considerations involved when DFO is asked to approve any project near a fish habitat. Mr. Fraser pointed out DFO tries to cooperate with all levels of government and all stakeholders. Not an easy task.

SAR WARS and (charitable) Enterprise

n a  chilly Saturday morning, several search and rescue teams took part in the Annual SAR WARS near White Rock, British Columbia. Teams are made up of members of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, a dedicated group of volunteers who are the eyes and ears of the Coast Guard whenever called upon on Canada’s coasts.

The competition involves a simulated rescue, and tests the teams’ search, medical and navigational skills. It also selects the teams to represent Vancouver in national and international search and rescue competitions. The competition drew a lot of media interest.

Clear across the country, there was more good news about the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Atlantic Canada. The Telegram, in St. John’s, reported that Exxon Mobil Canada presented the Auxiliary with a cheque for $100,000 to further enhance its training programs and purchase necessary equipment.

On February 11, CBC RADIO featured an interview with Harry Strong, the recipient of the first Exemplary Service Medal to be awarded by the Coast Guard. Mr. Strong has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Coast Guard Auxiliary for more than a decade.

Fast Facts:

Today’s Coast Guard Auxiliary features:

• more than 5,000 volunteers,
• about 1,500 vessels,
• upwards of 1,700 Search and Rescue events, and
• saving an average of 200 lives in Canada annually

Harry Strong has donated more than 25,000 hours of his time since joining the Auxiliary in 1979.

SOS – Sleuthing Out the Salmon

Scientists at DFO’s Pacific Biological Station (PBS) in Nanaimo, BC, have provided fish managers with a speedy method to analyse the DNA of spawning salmon. The information helps managers decide when to open and close the prized salmon runs and make sure each species has enough stock to ensure a successful spawning.

"PBS can nail down the fresh water home of a fish in as little as 30 hours", reported the Victoria Times Colonist. The report by Carla Wilson tracked the development of the DNA discovery and outlined the importance of the method’s speed and accuracy.

Listening to the music of the seafloor

n the Québec region, DFO’s announcement of a $150K grant for four years of research into applied marine acoustics drew lots of media attention. The research will be based at University of Québec at Rimouski. DFO’s Yvan Simard from L’Institut Maurice Lamontage (IML) will chair the working group.

Several radio and television stations reported on the growing field of marine acoustics that allows researchers to see up to 1,000 metres in depth to the ocean floor, estimate fish populations and map their distribution in three dimensions.

Media stories outlined how underwater microphones allow scientists to hear whale songs, ship noises and even the sounds of an earthquake.