Fish are excellent indicators of stream health because they are sensitive to changes in their environment.
What Are We Monitoring?
FISHERIES MONITORING IN STREAMS AND RIVERS
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) surveys fish communities and their aquatic habitats as part of the Regional Watershed Monitoring Program (RWMP). The sampling occurs on a three-year cycle, with three watersheds sampled each year.
In 2022, TRCA sampled the Rouge River, Duffins Creek, and Carruthers Creek watersheds. This is the seventh time the RWMP has completed sampling in these watersheds.
Monitoring follows the Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol (OSAP) and uses back-pack electrofishing methodology.
Each fish is identified to species, measured for length and weight, and released back into the water. More than 9,000 individual fish records were collected in 2022.
Aquatic habitat conditions are also assessed. This includes measurements for stream width and depth, water temperature, and sediment type.
Visit TRCA’s Open Data Portal to view the most recent fish data collected in the Toronto region’s nine watersheds.
VIEW FISHERIES MONITORING DATA
FISHERIES MONITORING ON THE WATERFRONT
TRCA actively surveys fish communities along the regional waterfront each year. Fish survey methods include boat electrofishing, nets, and underwater photography.
These surveys are used to track the success of restoration projects and Remedial Action Plan (RAP) measures for the Toronto and Region Area of Concern.
Nearshore fisheries surveys have been underway in the Toronto Harbour since 1989. More than 50,000 individual fish records from approximately 500 sites have been collected over the last three decades.
Inland and lake fish and habitat assessments, as well as fish rescues, are also carried out within the Toronto region in support of various habitat restoration projects, environmental assessments, and research studies.
Read About Fish Communities on the Toronto Waterfront
TRCA also coordinates Aquatic Habitat Toronto (AHT).
AHT is a group of agencies – municipal, provincial, and federal – sharing a common interest in improving the aquatic habitat along the Toronto Waterfront. AHT focuses on fulfilling the goals of the Toronto Waterfront Aquatic Habitat Restoration Strategy (TWAHRS).
Read About Fish Habitat Restoration
You can view an interactive storymap to learn more about the TWAHRS techniques used in waterfront aquatic habitat restoration.
Select the image below to open the storymap.
What Are The Data Telling Us?
TRCA’s fisheries and aquatic habitat data provide a picture of the health and condition of the region’s aquatic ecosystem and how it responds to changes in land use and climate.
The decades of scientific data that TRCA has collected help to inform:
- Watershed-based planning
- Decisions related to land use changes
- Restoration opportunities
- Various development permit requirements
- Legislation or policy change initiatives
TRCA shares the data with regional municipalities, consultants, research institutions, and other organizations at the federal and provincial levels.
Current Conditions: STREAMS
Based on current data, the health of fish communities in streams are considered in “fair condition” in seven of TRCA’s watersheds, and in “poor condition” in three watersheds. This is determined using the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI).
Select the image below to view the Fish Communities in Streams dashboard.
Current Conditions: WATERFRONT
TRCA uses the percent piscivore biomass (PPB) to assess fish community health in the Lake Ontario nearshore. Piscivores are defined as fish-eating fish.
Data from 2014-2018 show that resident piscivores account for an average of 25% of biomass in sheltered embayments on the waterfront. This meets the target set by RAP for the Toronto and Region Area of Concern (AOC).
Select the image below to view the Nearshore Fish Communities dashboard.
Continued aquatic habitat restoration efforts by TRCA and its partners — including those in support of the Don Mouth Naturalization and Port Lands Flood Protection Project — will continue to improve habitat conditions for local fish communities.
Visit TRCA’s Watershed & Ecosystems Reporting Hub
Contact
TRCA Watershed Planning and Ecosystem Science: wpes@trca.ca