Combination of warmer water, chemical exposure intensifies harmful effects in a coastal fish

Warmer water temperatures, combined with exposure to chemicals already known to be harmful to aquatic life, could threaten organisms that have temperature-sensitive sex determination. Researchers found that inland silversides (Menidia beryllina) exposed to endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) exhibited altered sex ratios, lower fertility rates and deformities. Further, the effects were more acute in the fish …

Emergency assessment launched for B.C.’s steelhead

A dismal return for steelhead in British Columbia's Interior Fraser River system has prompted an emergency assessment of the species. A long, long overdue step taken by Canadian officials and scientists, and unless emergency actions are taken in the commercial and First Nation fisheries in the Fraser River, it may be too late. Read the …

What to do if you catch an escaped Atlantic Salmon around Puget Sound

What Atlantic salmon from a net pen look like – note large dark spots on gill plate   What to do if an Atlantic salmon is caught:  1) kill it; take it home; freeze it for later possible pickup for examination (if not shortly contacted you dispose of it as you may wish) 2) if …

Website to monitor Puget Sound net-pen failure

Washington State regulators have suspended their salmon aquaculture rule-making process as multiple agencies work on the clean up and investigation in the aftermath of the massive Atlantic salmon net-pen failure in Puget Sound.  This new website contains a massive amount of information about the spill. The Conservation Angler and wild salmon organizations will remain aggressive …

Illusions

Read the full article from Bob Hooton in Steelhead Voices. The news of the conservation status of Thompson River steelhead is obviously well disseminated through the community of those who know about these remarkable fish. Even the Department of Fisheries and Oceans appears to have agreed they needed to “do something”. And, what might that …