2 www.georgianbay.ca GBA UPDATE Fall 2023 Continued from page 1 Fishing Like the aquaculture file, warming waters could impact both recreational and commercial fishing activities in Georgian Bay. Habitat for cold-water fish such as whitefish could be lost, while habitat for warm-water species such as walleye and smallmouth bass could increase. The Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) is actively studying the decline in whitefish populations, a culturally and economically important species for SON communities. They are using a two-eyed seeing approach to apply traditional knowledge and Western scientific methods to investigate this issue. Lands and Forests This committee is primarily concerned with both invasive species and species at risk – both of which are negatively affected by climate change. As the temperatures increase, invasive species that previously found our environment too harsh are increasingly able to thrive. Blacklegged or deer ticks, the main vector for Lyme disease, is one particularly clear example. The range of these ticks, once restricted to Long Point in southern Ontario, has been moving about 46 kilometres north every year, and they can now be found in the Georgian Bay area. While habitat destruction is the main threat to the well-being of the many species of reptiles, amphibians, birds, insects, and plants that are currently at risk in Ontario, the changing environment is making it harder for our native species to adapt. Loss of habitat may be further precipitated by the possibility of increased variability in water levels and more frequent extreme high and low water levels. Water Last, but certainly not least, our beautiful Georgian Bay water will likely be greatly affected by our warming planet. Water quality will be directly impacted by more intense storm surges and extreme weather events that can lead to flooding, erosion, and an increase in runoff full of pollutants, sediment, or sewage. Winter access to our cottages may become more difficult, given the predictions for reduced ice cover. What Can You and GBA Do? You are probably already aware of many of the things you can do to combat climate change at the individual level. Our partners at Georgian Bay Biosphere have a great list on page 21 of their new State of the Bay (bit.ly/Sotb2023). These actions include pushing for new policies, driving less where possible, choosing cleaner energy sources for your home and car, using energy more efficintly overall, eating less meat (especially beef), reducing waste and composting, and planting trees. However individual action alone is not enough: we also need solutions at governmental, institutional, and corporate levels. That’s where GBA can help, by focusing the 30,000+ voices we represent and pointing them at those entities to make sure they are listening. We know that when it comes to climate change it can feel like there is only ever bad news. However, there are good news stories starting to emerge as well; concrete actions are being taken and are having tangible effects. There is positive momentum underway and GBA plans on helping to ensure that the movement continues to pick up speed. Ixodes scapularis on a blade of grass. Whitefish catch.
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