O.F.A.H. Announces Launch of Invading Species Watch 2004

The Invading Species Watch is a volunteer-based lake monitoring program for aquatic invasive species, that is part of the larger Invading Species Awareness Program run by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (O.M.N.R.). This summer, O.F.A.H. staff will be working with more than 100 volunteer community groups to monitor Ontario lakes for invaders like spiny water flea and zebra mussels.

“Several years ago, the O.F.A.H. recognized the need for information on the distribution and spread of aquatic invasive species in Ontario lakes, and initiated the Invading Species Watch,” said Francine MacDonald, O.F.A.H. Invasive Species/Aquatics Biologist. “The objective of the program is to track the spread of zebra mussels and other invasive species in Ontario’s inland waters. This information will allow us to provide boaters and anglers with accurate distribution information to prevent the spread of invasive species to other water bodies. The information will also be used to update an international data base tracking the spread of aquatic invasive species in North America.”

The Invading Species Watch offers shoreline residents and cottage owners a chance to participate in the program. Using a monitoring kit provided by the O.F.A.H., volunteers take water samples using plankton tow nets, and send the samples to the O.F.A.H. for analysis to detect the presence or absence of larval forms of aquatic invasive species.

Many other organizations recognize the importance of this program and contribute to its success. The University of Guelph and York University contribute essential technical support, training and equipment. The Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (F.O.C.A.) plays an invaluable role by promoting the program in their mailings and newsletters to members, and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment’s Dorset Environmental Science Centre helps by providing the sample bottles in monitoring kits. The Human Resources Development Canada Summer Career Placement Program has also provided assistance for students working on the program in Pembroke, Ottawa, Haliburton and Cornwall.

“With the addition of fifteen new plankton tow nets, the development of new community partnerships like the Watershed Watch Program at the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, and the help of dedicated volunteers across Ontario, we will be able to monitor over one hundred lakes by the end of August,” said Ms. MacDonald.

Volunteers are still needed in the Pembroke, Rideau and Haliburton areas. To register, or to become involved in the program, contact the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711, or e-mail Cherish Gamble at cherish_gamble@ofah.org.