By Sarah Walton, M.Sc. candidate, Carleton University I am an MSc candidate co-supervised by Dr. Steven Cooke in the Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory at Carleton University and Dr. John Farrell from the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF). My research investigates spatiotemporal and behavioural ecology of age zero esocids – Muskellunge (Esox masquinogy) and Northern Pike (Esox lucius) – in the St. Lawrence River. Exploring the spatiotemporal ecology of fish is necessary to elucidate life history strategies, delineate and conserve core habitats, and appropriately manage populations. While nursery habitat requirements for age zero esocids in the St. Lawrence River are well […]
Larkin Award Runner-up (PhD) – Michael Lawrence
By Michael Lawrence My current body of work looks to address the role of the stress axis in mediating predator-prey interactions in wild fishes. My research primarily focuses on the biology of pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) in the Rideau Lakes region. Specifically, I’m looking to characterize the physiological consequences of sustained cortisol elevation on the metabolic operation of pumpkinseed and to link these alterations with behavioural parameters that are indicative of anti-predator capacity and/or risk aversion. During my research, I will also be quantifying the influence of cortisol on altering predation rate in a mesocosm setting thereby linking physiological, behavioural and ecological scale processes together to thoroughly address the question of […]
Larkin Award Recipient (PhD) – Andrea Reid
Ultimate Fate of Pacific Salmon in the Pacific Northwest Written by Andrea Reid I am currently a PhD student cosupervised by Dr. Steven Cooke in the Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory at Carleton University and Dr. Scott Hinch in the Pacific Salmon Ecology and Conservation Laboratory at the University of British Columbia. My research investigates the impacts of fisheries interactions for the fate of Pacific salmon (genus Oncorhynchus) in British Columbia’s most salmon-bearing rivers: the Nass, Skeena and Fraser Rivers (see map). I integrate methods from multiple disciplines – movement ecology, ecophysiology and socio-ecology – to understand how different fisheries-related stressors are shaping Pacific salmon migrations and their future. As […]
Larkin Award Recipient (MSc) – William Twardek
By William Twardek, MSc. Candidate, Carleton University, Little is known about the biological consequences of recreational fisheries for steelhead trout, despite steelhead being one of the most highly coveted species to anglers around the world. It is particularly important to account for the impact that recreational fisheries have on steelhead given that there are only a few wild populations left in the world distributed throughout the Pacific Northwest and Russia. In most, if not all recreational fisheries, anglers are required to release steelhead following capture under the premise that released fish suffer minimal fitness consequences. Although commercial fisheries for steelhead have indicated significant by-catch mortality of steelhead, few studies have […]
Karen Murchie
KAREN MURCHIE Chair of the Larkin Award – since 2010 Occupation: Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, College of The Bahamas, Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas Expertise: My research interests are focused around the biology and ecophysiology of marine and freshwater fishes at both the basic and applied level. In particular I’m interested in energy dynamics at various ecological levels, the spatial ecology of individuals, and stress physiology in response to human activities and environmental changes. My aim is to undertake a research and conservation approach that embraces the complexity of our environment and the human dimension to further understand fisheries. Credentials and Affiliations: Ph.D. in Biology, Carleton University, 2010; M.Sc. in Biology, […]