A community-level approach to assessing fish movements and habitat restoration in the Toronto Harbour

THFHA

June 2010 - June 2020

Great Lakes coastal embayments provide critical habitats for warmwater fishes, yet many have experienced severe habitat degradation. Millions of dollars are being spent on habitat restoration, yet biotic responses are poorly understood. An acoustic telemetry study is currently underway in Toronto Harbour, examining responses to habitat restoration by key warmwater (Largemouth Bass) and coolwater (Northern Pike, Walleye) predators, invasive species (Common Carp), and other members of the fish community (Yellow Perch, White Sucker, Brown Bullhead). This study monitors broad-scale movements throughout the harbour and will collect fine-scale positioning data in key habitats in all seasons, including winter. By monitoring habitat changes associated with rehabilitation efforts and habitat selection over time, we will improve understanding of recovery lag times and the effectiveness of different habitat modifications, which can inform future habitat rehabilitation decisions.

• Confirm residency of yellow perch and brown bullhead in Toronto Harbour Identify key macrohabitats where study species congregate in each season, as potential sites for placement of fine-scale positioning arrays Determine the effects of implanting and a
• Identify key macrohabitats where study species congregate in each season, as potential sites for placement of fine-scale positioning arrays
• Determine the effects of implanting and attaching acoustic transmitters to Pumpkinseed
• Evaluate fish movements in relation to carp gates to ascertain their effectiveness at passing native fishes and excluding Common Carp from restored habitats.
• Assess fish-community response to habitat creation and rehabilitation projects, and examine ontogenic and temporal shifts in fish-community habitat needs

• The information obtained from this project will allow managers to:
• Identify the timing of seasonal transitions between habitats, and the degree of seasonal macrohabitat partitioning among species
• Identify habitats used by most or all species in a given season as potential sites for future fine-scale positioning studies
• Protect and enhance native-fish populations
• Evaluate the efficacy of carp gates to protect restored wetlands

• Jon Midwood (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) - jon.midwood@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
• Steven Cooke (Carleton University)
• Susan Doka (Fisheries And Oceans Canada)
• Silviya Ivanova (University Of Windsor - Great Lakes Institute For Environmental Research)
• Sarah Larocque (University Of Windsor - Great Lakes Institute For Environmental Research)
• Jacob Brownscombe (Fisheries And Oceans Canada)
• Morgan Piczak (Fisheries And Oceans Canada)
• Melanie Croft-White (Fisheries And Oceans Canada)

• Carleton University
• Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
• Aquatic Habitat Toronto
• University of Toronto

• Great Lakes Sustainability Fund
• Toronto Region Remedial Action Plan
• Great Lakes Fishery Commission
• Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation
• Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
• Great Lakes Action Plan

• Peat, T.B., L.F.G. Gutowsky, S.E. Doka, J.D. Midwood, N.W.R. Lapointe, B. Hlevca, M.G. Wells, R. Portiss, and S.J. Cooke. 2016. Comparative thermal biology and depth distribution of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and northern pike (Esox lucius) in an urban harbour of the Laurentian Great Lakes. Canadian Journal of Zoology 94: 767-776.
• Veilleux, M.A.N., J.D. Midwood, C.M. Boston, N.W.R Lapointe, R. Portiss, M.G. Wells, S.E. Doka, and S.J. Cooke. In Press. Assessing occupancy of freshwater fishes in urban boat slips of Toronto Harbour. Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management 00: 000-000.
• Rous, A.M., J.D. Midwood, L.F.G. Gutowsky, N.W.R. Lapointe, R. Portiss, T. Sciscione, M.G. Wells, S.E. Doka, and S.J. Cooke. 2017. Telemetry-determined habitat use informs multi-species habitat management in an urban harbour. Environmental Management 59: 118-128.