Conserving our Lakes through Community-Driven Research

Researchers from the Trent Aquatic Research Program (TARP) are setting out to reveal fascinating and previously unseen fish behaviour, information on when and where fish spawn, survival and habitat needs, and the effects of changing water quality through the multi-year Stoney Lake Fish Tracking Project. The goal is to engage the community in thinking about the lake as a living system and contribute to the health and conservation of the Stoney Lake ecosystem.

“The health of our lakes depends on a complex mixture of the organisms, fish, insects, and plants we find in and around them. Fish play a big role in maintaining the living systems in our lakes and contribute to underlying things like water quality,” explains Trent Biology professor and project lead, Dr. Graham Raby. “Healthy and productive fish populations are an indicator of healthy ecosystems.”

This community-driven project is made possible through in-kind support and generous donations by community members to fund TARP, an integrated research program focused on the long-term study of freshwater ecosystems in the Kawarthas. Through the program, Trent researchers are identifying environmental problems in the region by implementing a systematic approach to studying lake ecosystems.

Co-creating knowledge with the community

Professor Raby explains that they are working closely with community members at every stage of the research process, and are continuing to host events and meetings to keep Stoney Lake and surrounding communities informed about the research project and how they can get involved.

“We are trying to involve as many people as we can in various stages of the project, like coming up with the research ideas, collecting the data, interpreting the data, and sharing these findings,” he adds. “Engaging with Indigenous communities is also a priority and we have had several conversations about the project with First Nations communities in the area to see if they're interested in getting involved, give them an opportunity to shape the direction of the project, and hear what their concerns would be.”  

Prof. Raby believes that co-creating knowledge with the broader community is key to building trust and relationships and results in stronger advocacy when it comes to potential policy changes around aspects such as fisheries management and fish habitat conservation.

Environmental stewards, long-time lake residents and avid TARP supporters, Ralph and Carol Ingleton, couldn’t agree more.

“The reason Carol and I support TARP is to try and reveal the secrets of our lakes through long-term aquatic research, to educate our communities and find ways to better the health of our lakes,” says Ralph about their involvement with this Trent initiative. “Ours is now a fast-moving world and with issues like climate change, invasive species, and the like, we must buffer these by better planning at all political levels and with the help of an educated public. Individuals who understand their environment usually want to care for it through actions that maintain it. Good water is the foundation of all life on earth, and we must protect it.”

Hands-on research opportunities for the next generation of freshwater biologists

Both undergraduate and graduate students will have the opportunity to get their feet wet in the research realm, working alongside Prof. Raby and researchers from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and other government agencies and organizations.

The project will involve multiple fish species, with an emphasis on walleye, and will rely on acoustic telemetry to track the movements of fish. Prof. Raby and his students, along with collaborators from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, have been hard at work putting acoustic receivers in the water and implanting acoustic transmitters into fish, adhering to international best practices for fish surgery. The team plans to tag close to 100 fish by the end of the year and will also be monitoring key habitat variables like water temperature, clarity, and dissolved oxygen.

Students will also be involved in data retrieval and analysis, quantifying fish habitat around the different areas of the lake, as well as other important projects like assessing the impacts of invasive species on the fish community, says Prof. Raby.

For environmental stewards, like the Ingletons, it is encouraging to see students out on Stoney Lake and actively participating in the project, and they encourage fellow community members to learn more about TARP and the many opportunities for them to support this initiative.

“Another reason for our support is to assist students of Trent to become involved in aquatic research on a regional basis,” adds Ralph. “Through the Ingleton Aquatic Research Endowment Fund, Trent students will receive assistance to help with their education while at the same time become part of the TARP team.”

CONTACT INFO:

Visit the Trent Aquatic Research Program website to learn more about getting involved with this project.

Posted on July 22, 2022