Could climate change affect your day fishing? Ontario researcher presents findings in Washington D.C.

Superior Morning6:41Mr. Hunt Goes To Washington

A Thunder Bay scientist with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is just back from briefing Senate staff on Capitol Hill.. Len Hunt was sharing his research on climate change and its potential affect on recreational fishing and the industry

A Thunder Bay researcher with Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestryhas just returned from briefing Senate staff in Washington, D.C. on the potential impacts of climate change on North America's recreational fishery.

The invitation to speak on Capitol Hill came from the United States Geological Survey, following his participation in a number of conferences and workshops on the issue, says Len Hunt, who holds aPhD in geography and environmental studies from Wilfrid Laurier University.

His presentation focused on three main areas:

• The Fish

Fish are affected by changing water temperatures said Hunt, citing examples of warmer water leading to changes in their immune and reproductive systems, and in the makeup of fish communities.

For instance, in Ontario, people are noticing more smallmouth bass than in previous years, said Hunt.

As well, he pointed to research done at northwestern Ontario's Experiemental Lakes Area.

"There are concerns that some of the species that like colder water, like lake trout, that there have been some negative consequences associated with increased water temperatures on the growth rate for those fish."

• The Environment

Fishing is an outdoor activity and it requires certain conditions, said Hunt.

In Ontario, about 11 per cent of fishing is conducted through the ice, "and if you're an ice fisher you need the ice," said Hunt.

Water levels are also a concern "with an expectation of increased drought and flood events with climate change," said Hunt.

• Government Policy Changes

Governments are bringing in policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and slow climate change, and some of those initiatives have the potential to impact recreational fishing.

Hunt gave the example of increasing the price of gasoline as part of a carbon tax or a cap-and-trade system.

Research in northwestern Ontario suggests a 10-cent increase in the cost at the pumps causes anglers to reduce their trips to the lake by about four to seven per cent, said Hunt.

"An unintended consequence of having higher costs at the pump would be that fishing activity could be curtailed or could be concentrated closer to urban communities thereby increasing stress on already stressed fish populations."

It's encouraging to see governments on both sides of the border starting to take an interest in issue, said Hunt.

"We're in this together and we need to rely on a wide range of expertise from individuals from very diverse backgrounds, very different areas to try to communicate and to understand what those impacts of climate change could be on something like fish."

The research conducted by Hunt, and his colleagues will be available in a special July online edition of the journal Fisheries, from the American FisheriesSociety.