12 record(s) found.

Freshwater Fisheries in Ontario

This study used historic data and climate models to determine the potential impacts of climate change on two economically important sport fish in Ontario. Researchers examined how climate change would affect sustainable yields and angling efforts of walleye, and the northern zoogeographic boundary of smallmouth bass. They found that sustained yield of walleye would generally increase in northern and central Ontario, and decrease in southern Ontario. To adapt to future changes, fisheries managers may look for trade-off options between cold, cool, and warm water fishery components (e.g., shift angling from cold to warm water fish species).

Project Status: Complete

Further Research Information: Link available

Impact of Climate Change on River Water Temperature and Fish Growth

Using 30 years of data, researchers examined the relationships between climate, hydrologic parameters, and the fork length of juvenile salmon in the Miramichi River. Fork length is an indicator of growth, which also affects competition, predation, smoltification, and marine survival of salmon. In association with the warming observed over the time period studied, fork length of juvenile salmon parr was found to have declined significantly. As such, researchers suggest that future climate change will adversely affect the growth of juvenile salmon in the Miramichi freshwater portion of their life cycle, which will increase juvenile mortality rates.

Project Status: Complete

Further Research Information: Link available

Full Report Location:

Link available
Link available

Impacts & adaptation to climate change for fish and marine mammals in Canada´s Beaufort Sea

The purpose of this study is to identify vulnerabilities and potential adaptations to climate change for marine fish and marine mammals in the Canadian Beaufort Sea and the related sustainable harvest of these species. The research will use GIS analysis to examine relationships between climate-related variables such as diminishing ice thickness and cover, changes to the temperature and circulation of the atmosphere and marine waters, changes in nutrients and related impacts of fish and marine mammals, and the introduction of non-traditional freshwater and marine species. Additional analysis will focus on the current and future role of joint management structures and institutions and the capacity to respond to the impacts of climate change.

Project Status: In Progress

Further Research Information: Link available

Impact of Climate Change on Toxic Phytoplankton Blooms and Shellfish Toxicity

To determine the role of climate on the development and intensity of toxic algal blooms, researchers analyzed 10 years of hydrological, biological and meteorological data. They found that the development of blooms was favoured by high run-off from local tributary rivers, combined with prolonged periods of low winds, while more intense algal outbreaks were associated with extreme climate events, such as heavy rainfall. If conditions such as these become more common in the future, we can expect to see an increase in the onset and proliferation of toxic algal blooms in eastern Canada.

Project Status: Complete

Full Report Location: Link available

Extreme Climate Events in the Boreal Shield Lakes

Researchers established a network of aquatic research sites in the Boreal Shield ecozone, and used long-term aquatic databases to investigate how changes in temperature and precipitation impact water temperatures, plankton richness and biomass, phytoplankton communities, and water chemistry (e.g., acidity). The study found that annual patterns in air and water temperature were comparable across regions and that there were subsets of lakes where plankton richness and biomass varied in a similar manner through time. This suggests that there may be regional-level effects of climate on lake biota, although they are probably modified by individual lake characteristics. In addition to their primary results, researchers identified five priorities for future climate research in Boreal Shield lakes.

Project Status: Complete

Full Report Location: Link available

The Effect of Recent Climate Change on the Early Marine Growth Rates of Juvenile Salmon in the Strait of Georgia

The amount and type of food consumed by young fish are known to be particularly important factors that affect their growth rates. Similarly, through its effect on metabolic rates, temperature also plays a key role. This project tested the hypothesis that recent changes in plankton dynamics, coupled with recent increases in water temperature have reduced the growth rates of juvenile salmon in the months following their entry into the Strait of Georgia in British Columbia.

Project Status: Complete

Impacts of climate change and adaptation of a management strategy for the Lake Winnipeg Fishery

Temperature changes of the extent predicted by global circulation models may directly influence the development and success of aquatic organisms. Climate also appears to be the single most important factor controlling biodiversity in Canadian lakes and strongly influences the distribution of aquatic organisms on broad geographic scales. The complex interactions with local environmental disturbance factors must be taken into account when studying the effects of global warming on fish. The researchers will develop a report describing the potential responses of the Lake Winnipeg fishery to scenarios of future climate change. This information is important to the reformulation of fishery management strategies as an adaptation to global climate change.

Project Status: In Progress

Further Research Information: Link available

The Impact of Climate Change on the Thermal Structure of Boreal Forest Lakes and its Potential Impact on Important Fish Communities

Using data from the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) in northwestern Ontario, researchers modelled the impact of different climate change scenarios on the thermal regime of lakes in the region. They found that climate warming would affect the timing and characteristics of lake stratification and ice cover, with resultant consequences for fish thermal habitat. Spatial and temporal shifts in thermal niche space are expected to affect the feeding patterns, productivity and reproduction of fish such as yellow perch and lake trout.

Project Status: Complete

Further Research Information: Link available

Effects of a Warmer Ocean Climate Under a Doubled CO2 – Atmosphere on the Reproduction and Distribution of Snow Crab in Eastern Canada

Researchers found that small changes in temperature could have significant impacts on snow crab reproduction, development and distribution in Eastern Canada. This is especially true for snow crab populations located on the Eastern Scotian Shelf and the Grand Bank of Newfoundland. Changes in water temperature were found to impact the survivorship and long-term growth of juveniles, influence the distribution of different age-classes of snow crab, and affect the amount of time that females incubate their eggs.

Project Status: Complete

Full Report Location:

Link available
Link available

Impacts on Ringed Seal Distribution

This project set out to investigate the potential impacts of climate change on key ringed seal habitat variables by comparing latitudinal and longitudinal gradients throughout the ringed seals' range, and linking these with pup production and survival. Small changes in climate, such as the timing of snowfall, can influence, when ice forms, how long the ice stays and the amount and duration of snow cover; all of which directly affect the biology of ringed seals. Calm or stormy weather during freeze up, is also important to the quality of seal habitat. Many of these variables are expected to change with climate warming.

Project Status: Complete

Climate change and thermal sensitivity of commercial marine species

Climate changes have the potential to affect coastal and marine ecosystems with impacts on the spatial distribution of species important to commercial fisheries. The waters of Atlantic Canada include the northern or southern limit of many species and observations of temporary northward shifts of southern species have been reported during short-term periods of climate warming in the last century. This study will compile information on the thermal sensitivities for various life stages and pathogens of a selection of economically important marine species and identify critical thresholds in their life stages and survival. The information will be synthesized to demonstrate the most vulnerable characteristics of each species in terms of thermal parameters. The focus will be on near-shore waters of eastern Canada, including species with their southern or northern limit in or near Canadian waters. The investigators have developed a list of 33 species to study that includes invertebrate and vertebrate fauna, as well as seaweeds that are harvested.

Project Status: In Progress

Further Research Information: Link available

Climate change impacts on run-timing of Atlantic salmon in eastern Canada and adaptation of in-season models and management to improve resource access opportunities

This study focuses on the Miramichi River, NB, which has the largest Atlantic salmon run in Eastern North America. Its goal is to provide a scientific basis for the Miramichi Watershed Management Committee to evaluate and develop management strategies for adapting fisheries activities to protect and enhance the resource. Minimum water flow in the Miramichi River has significantly declined over the last three decades, and future climate change could adversely affect Atlantic salmon by modifying their time of return to rivers as well as accessibility to headwater spawning areas. This project will addresses a gap in our understanding of the vulnerability and sensitivity of marine fisheries to climate variability and change, in this case specifically related to the future run-timing and abundance of Atlantic salmon and the fisheries management strategies occurring within the Mirimichi River system.

Project Status: Complete

Further Research Information: Link available

Full Report Location: Link available