Great Lakes 'at tipping point' says fishery commission adviser
Deb Shewfelt wants to be clear when it comes to the Great Lakes. “There is no border.”
Shewfelt, Goderich’s former mayor, is one of Canada’s advisers to the bilateral Great Lakes Fishery Commission.
Because the Great Lakes are the responsibility of both the U.S. and Canada, he and his fellow advisers have passed a resolution recommending moving management of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission away from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and back to Global Affairs Canada.
“I think we’re at a tipping point. We can either go back or go ahead. I think the feeling amongst the advisers, on both sides of the border, is we need to do certain things to improve and spend more time and money on the issues on the Great Lakes because it is a fantastic resource,” says Shewfelt.
While the commission’s focus is on fisheries, Great Lakes water quality is king. Shewfelt says the shoreline is changing drastically, impacting what’s happening under the water.
“Basically the critters (insects) at shore are dying. Where normally they’d get out and act as fodder for the fish. So they see there are problems,” says Shewfelt.
Another big issue is the imminent removal of hundreds of recreational dams in rivers in both the U.S. and Canada, that feed into the Great Lakes, and their impact on invasive sea lampreys that kill thousands of native fish.
“The sea lamprey now has a free ride to go up the river, lay their eggs, and multiply by the millions. It’s imperative we find structures to contain the sea lampreys before they get into the Great Lakes,” he says.
“They are opportunistic,” says Marc Gaden of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. “If you let control down for a short amount of time they will spring back, out of control, and wreak havoc on the ecosystem."
Shewfelt is hopeful the advisers' recommendations will be implemented by the commission, and the federal government, as soon as possible.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Iran fires at suspected Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones, which were suspected to be part of an Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
In his new book 'As Long as You Need', hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.