Proceedings 2017/027

Proceedings of the regional peer review of impacts of agricultural drain maintenance in Beaver Creek on Grass Pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus), a fish species at risk; October 4–5, 2016

Chairperson: Lynn Bouvier
Editor: Maja Cvetkovic

Summary

A regional science peer review meeting was held on 4 and 5 October 2016 in Burlington, Ontario. The purpose of the meeting was to provide advice on the effects of drain maintenance on Grass Pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus), a fish species at risk.

Participants of this meeting included Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), the University of Toronto, Portt and Associates, AHYDTECH Geomorphic, UEM Consulting, and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).

Beaver Creek is classified as a municipal drain and is located in the Niagara region in southern Ontario. The creek is characterized by low-gradient, temporally flooded riparian zones with low flow and dense aquatic vegetation, which represents optimal habitat for Grass Pickerel. In the fall of 2011 the western branch of Beaver Creek underwent drain maintenance and natural channel reconstruction. Due to concerns for the large resident Grass Pickerel population, multiple studies were conducted by DFO before, during, and after drain maintenance.

Three working papers were reviewed during the meeting, and included: fish and habitat surveys in the Beaver Creek area pre and post-construction; an age and growth assessment of Grass Pickerel; and a Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) study on the effects of drain maintenance on Grass Pickerel in Beaver Creek. Two projects underway, genetic analysis of population structure and population modelling of the species at risk, were presented and discussed, as well as the findings from a graduate thesis focused on the movement ecology of Grass Pickerel. An existing mitigation guide for Grass Pickerel and its habitat was provided as a background document and updated with content from the recent findings. The working papers presented at the meeting will be published as Research Documents and the updated mitigation guide will be published as a Canadian Manuscript report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.

The Science Advisory Report from the meeting provides information on the effects of drain maintenance and reconstruction activities on Grass Pickerel and its habitat, and recommendations on monitoring techniques and sampling protocols for the species. Updated mitigation strategies for Grass Pickerel and its habitat and potential alternatives for agricultural drain issues will also be incorporated.

This proceedings report summarizes the relevant discussions from the meeting and presents recommended revisions for the associated research documents. The Science Advisory Report, Proceedings and Research Documents will be published on the DFO Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat website as they become available.

Complete document (PDF, 405 KB)

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