The Blue Fish Radio Show

Having fished the B1 Bass tournament series on many occasions, I was curious to learn more about Ben Woo’s expansion plans. One of the largest Bass tournaments in Canada is growing exponentially with events now planned for three locations across Quebec and Ontario. Live from the 2017 Toronto Sportsman Show, Ben Woo and his Conservation Director, Jason Barnucz, discuss what it takes to ensure the h...

Proposed 97% White-house budget cuts to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and 25% cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency have 125 mayors of cities along the shores of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence up in arms. Mr. David A. Ullrich, Executive Director of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative speaks about the important work undertaken to date to restore one of the world’s la...

This week on Blue Fish Radio we seek evidence of the mystical scale journalists use to balance economic interests with environmental sustainability. Part two of our conversation with Lorne Johnson explores how Canadian business leaders are moving away from balancing such interests, and instead, adopting an ecological approach to business. We discuss the rise of electric cars, and just why the medi...

The Atlantic Salmon Federation wants to know why Newfoundland’s Environment Minister took a pass on conducting an environmental review of the largest-ever salmon farm being proposed for Placentia Bay. More than 19 rivers that lead to the Bay are utilized by wild Atlantic Salmon – a species in this region already in trouble. The Federation would like a study conducted to determine the potential imp...

In part one of this 2-part series, we hear from Lorne Johnson, one of Canada’s leading consultants serving private foundations. Lorne offers insights on the role forestry managers now play in ensuring the sustainable management of Canada’s largest renewable resource. We then discuss the role of environmental groups and their challenge in engaging the public to address climate change, and why such...

Brockville is one of North America's newest entries into the world of super-sized hands-on public Aquatariums. In this episode of Blue Fish Radio, Thomas Harder, The Aquatarium's Director of Animal Husbandry, takes us for a hands-on tour of the facility and reflects about it's origins and future.

Rick McGowan has taken his 30-year fight with a wealthy BC Ranch owner all the way to the BC Supreme Court. It's about exercising the public's right to access public water using public roads, but that's not how property owner of the 250,000 hector ranch sees it. The Nicola Valley Fish and Game Club does though, and so do many others who are lining up behind Rick and his Club to see this fight thro...

Oceana Canada's Director of Science, Dr. Robert Rangeley, is a marine biologist with extensive field experience on and in the waters. His research includes predatory behaviour and habitat use, and he’s one of the brains behind Oceana Canada's new marine life encyclopedia. Listen and learn why understanding the amazing species that call Canada’s three oceans home is all part of Oceana’s philosophy...

With a quarter century of fishing and diving experience in Cuban waters, Capt. Phil Thompson has launched a new guide service called Fish Cuba Now. He offers angling and diving adventures throughout Cuba, a new frontier regarded by many as possessing some of the most pristine marine habitats on Earth. Listen to how Thompson is also making sure the resource will be managed sustainably on this week’...

World respected environmental trail blazer, Larry McDermott, a member of Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation, and Executive Director of Plenty Canada, an organization dedicated to environmental protection and healthy communities, and co-chair of the Canadian Environmental Network Biodiversity Caucus, speaks with Blue Fish on reconciliation, friendship, and the need to respect both indigenous knowledge...

Ensuring our seafood is harvested in a sustainable way is up to us all. In this episode of Blue fish Radio Lawrence Gunther walks us through the roles of the many different stakeholders and players that are working hard to improve the sustainability of our seafood fisheries, and offers guidance on what each of us can do to play a part in realizing the goal of sustainable wild fish stocks in our oc...

Taking a big picture approach is exactly what Christopher Bos and the Anglers Coalition is doing with their plans for introducing millions of Chinook salmon into the Pacific. Tired of watching their ecosystem slowly deteriorate due to a host of documented pressures, this group of concerned citizens is taking action. Their goal, to introduce enough salmon into the Pacific Ocean off the south end of...

We were able to produce 52 new Blue fish Radio episodes in 2016, and are planning another 52 for 2017. This season closer is a collection of sage advice provided by some of the greatest anglers I’ve had the privilege of knowing. It’s advice we all need to reflect on as its not normally what you read or hear on TV. It makes sense though.

SeaChoice is a completely independently funded sustainable sea food consumption advisory program designed to help retailers and consumers to make smart choices when purchasing seafood. Their economic independence means no added cost or beholding to producers, processors or retailers, and a free service for everyone involved with seafood from ship to plate. Listen as Kurtis Hayne, the Sustainable S...

The goal is to return to sustainability of wild-capture fisheries so we can harvest wild grown food now and in the future. Knowing that we are getting what we buy also means ocean to plate traceability. Well, the Marine Stewardship Council says Canada is 2/3 of the way there. When you buy a product with the blue MSC label, you’re helping to protect the productivity and health of our oceans, and th...

Description: The Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto couldn't be more centrally located and it’s just steps away from Lake Ontario. Out of respect for their regional fish, the exhibits start with a full complement of amazing fish specimens that call the Great Lakes home. Further along an things just get more exciting with glass tubes that pass under the marine exhibit holding all manner of marine animals...

Journalist Christopher Pollon and photographer Ben Nelms recently canoed the 93 km stretch of the Peace River soon to be submerged should British Columbia’s proposed Site C dam be built. Christopher speaks to Blue Fish Radio about the magnificent Bull Trout fishing, unique habitat, the people who live along its banks, and the economic and political drivers spurring on the dam’s construction. The o...

Anastasia Lintner was hired by 50 water activist organizations to draft recommended amendments to Canada’s Fisheries Act as part of the Department of Ocean and Fisheries consultation process. Lawrence and Anastasia discuss the importance of using protection zones prudently, the need to include both native and local voices and knowledge at decision making tables, why ministerial discretion needs to...

Luc Girard is one of those amazing committed anglers who spends just as much time engaged in stewarding the St-Lawrence River as he does chasing their elusive monster Musky. He recently caught a 56-inch Musky and many expert Musky anglers believe the river will eventually turn up the next world record.

Reno Viola co-founded and hosted both the Fish'n Canada TV and Outdoor Journal Radio shows. He was inducted along with his brother Angelo into the Canadian Sport fishing Hall of Fame in 2010, and has recently founded WRVO Network One, a 24-7 web streaming outdoor radio show. Reno speaks to Lawrence about the importance of being real, honest, and ready to take on the role of teacher when it comes t...

As the Executive Director of Oceana Canada, Josh Laugrehn has a lot to say about the state of Canada's commercial Fisheries, and it's not that much different than what was recently reported by the WWF. With the longest coastline in the world and a responsibility that includes 2.67 million square kilometers of ocean, this is serious business. We use to be the 7th greatest commercial fish harvester...

Turns out Mohawk fishers shared in common with non-native fishers the challenge of learning to use prudently modern fish harvesting technologies. Following sound advice from scientists and practicing traditional harvesting techniques is a lesson we can all learn from, and Lawrence does just that as he catches his personal best Smallmouth Bass.

The St. Lawrence River, which the Mohawks call Kaniatarowanenneh or the "big waterway,", has a rich heritage of aboriginal life and habitation that includes fishing and traveling on the River that dates back nearly 10,000 years. Norman Peters has been tasked to share his knowledge and expertise with a entirely new generation of Mohawks who grew up disconnected from the river. Norman came aboard La...

Delve into the culture of Mohawks of Akwesasne. Living on the St. Lawrence River, these people were impacted by industrialization along its shores and the pollution that resulted. They have since led the charge to clean up the River including a law suit against several large polluters that took 20 years to settle. With the clean-up of the River underway, compensation to nearby communities for thei...

Local champions come in all forms, but I think you will agree that Ian Stevens from the Water Wealth Project is a shining example of one of the truest. His personal life decisions and commitment to being a water advocate lends him credibility that’s remarkable. We could all take a lesson from Ian’s play book.