Fish Identification Nearshore Survey (FINS)
Nearshore Ecosystem Survey
The Fish Identification Nearshore Survey (FINS) project is a collaborative project co-led by the River Institute and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Environment Program. Since its launch in 2015, FINS has created one of the largest datasets for nearshore ecosystems and fish populations in the St. Lawrence River. In collaboration with a variety of partners, the FINS project contributes to research on invasive species, species-at-risk, muskellunge, and the use of environmental DNA and drones in environmental survey work. The project is helping to fill important knowledge gaps, informing policy and management strategies, and serving as a platform for research partnerships and capacity building.
Quick Links:
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StoryMap: Fish Identification Nearshore Survey
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StoryMap: FINS Project: Fish Highlights
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StoryMap: Pugnose Shiner
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StoryMap: The Use of Drones in Freshwater Research
Contact
mwindle[at]riverinstitute.ca
Objectives
- Address important data gaps for nearshore ecosystem health
- Better understand the status, distribution and habitat associations of small fish populations
- Monitor the status of aquatic invasive species
- Support habitat restoration activities
- Raise awareness about the importance of small fish and nearshore ecosystems
- Provide research training and capacity building
Partners & Collaborators
Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Environment Program, Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office, Maitland Tower, McGill University, Ministère de la Faune, Forêts et des Parcs, Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs, Muskies Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Parks Canada, Queen’s University, St. Lawrence Parks Commission, Tench Binational St. Lawrence River Working Group, Université du Québec à Montréal, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, University of Toronto, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Water Rangers
Funders
- Canada Water Agency
- Career Launcher, Colleges and Institutes Canada
- Employment and Social Development Canada
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada
- ECO Canada
- Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Muskies Canada Inc.
- Ocean Wise
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
- Ontario Power Generation
- Natural Resources Canada
- Trottier Family Foundation
- WWF Canada
Publications
PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLE
Enhancing metabarcoding of freshwater biotic communities: A new online tool for primer selection and exploring data from 14 primer pairs
PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLE
Nearshore fish diversity changes with sampling method and human disturbance: comparing eDNA metabarcoding and seine netting along the Upper St. Lawrence River
PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLE
Two decades since first invasion: Revisiting round goby impacts on nearshore aquatic communities in the Upper St. Lawrence River
PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLE
Different refuge types dampen exotic invasion and enhance diversity at the whole ecosystem scale in a heterogeneous river system
PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLE
Environmental determinants of round goby invasion refuges at a river scale: implications for conservation of native biodiversity
PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLE
Proximity to Riparian Wetlands Increases Mercury Burden in Fish in the Upper St. Lawrence River
PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLE
Range expansion of the western tubenose goby (Proterorhinus semilunaris Heckel, 1837) in eastern Lake Ontario and the upper St. Lawrence River
YouTube
How the River Institute is helping to conserve Muskellunge in the St. Lawrence River
The FINS Project: Little Fish, BIG River
Ever Wonder how we Study Fish & Their Habitat?
Ever Wonder how we Study Fish & Their Habitat?
Photo Gallery
