FOR RELEASE: September 11, 2007

 

For More Information: Stephen Wittman, UW Sea Grant, swittman@aqua.wisc.edu, (608) 263-5371

EXPERT TO DISCUSS RISKS TO GREAT LAKES FISHERY OF REGIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE

MANITOWOC—Overfishing, pollution, exotic species and habitat destruction caused major changes in Great Lakes sport and commercial fisheries in the 20th century. Now climate change is likely to cause more significant changes to these fisheries in the century ahead.

Brian Shuter, a research scientist in the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, will discuss “Effects of Climate Change on the Fish and Fisheries of the Great Lakes Basin,” at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24, at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, 75 Maritime Drive, in downtown Manitowoc.

Shuter’s talk will be followed by a presentation by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Chief Michael Staggs on the recent outbreak of VHS disease (viral hemorrhagic septicemia) in Wisconsin fishes.

Shuter, also an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto, says that freshwater fish of the Great Lakes Basin are expected to be significantly affected by climate change. He will present evidence for recent and future changes in the aquatic “climates” of the Great Lakes, based on historical analyses of data from Lake Erie and other Great Lakes. These results suggest that essential habitats for some native fish populations will shrink significantly, while habitats for other native and some nonnative species will expand. Shuter will also discuss the mechanisms underlying these ecological changes and review policy options for mitigating their effects.

Shuter’s lecture is sponsored by the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute and the Wisconsin Maritime Museum. His lecture is part of the 2007 seminar series “Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region: Starting a Public Discussion” funded by the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. For details, updates and additional information, visit the UW Sea Grant Climate Change Web site (www.seagrant.wisc.edu/climatechange).

# # # #

Conceived in 1966, Sea Grant is a national network of 30 university-based programs of research, outreach, and education for enhancing the practical use and conservation of coastal, ocean and Great Lakes resources to create a sustainable economy and environment. The National Sea Grant Network is a partnership of participating coastal states, private industry, and the National Sea Grant College Program, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

© University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute
all audio, images and video used with permission