August 10, 2005
Yellowknife - The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Western Arctic area, is hosting the second North American Lake Trout Symposium August 16-19 in Yellowknife, NWT. Over 130 participants - subsistence, recreational and commercial fishers, scientists, managers and co-managers, regulators, and representatives from the natural resource industries - have already registered and it is anticipated that there will be more registering at the door. This will make for a very large, diverse group of stakeholders all interested in the conservation of Lake Trout and its habitat; and promises some lively discussions.
There are four program themes to the 2005 Symposium: 1) effects of development on lake trout and their habitats; 2) co-management and lake trout harvesting; 3) stock and habitat assessment; and 4) lake trout biology, ecology and habitat preferences.
Lois Harwood, DFO's Symposium Coordinator is excited about the upcoming event. "Lake trout are extremely important to the people of NWT", she says, "the Area Office of DFO decided to host this symposium to bring together interested parties to discuss and exchange information on lake trout fishing, research and habitat issues. We are all positioned to do a better job at conserving lake trout and their habitats if we share our information and ideas, and solve problems together". Features of this year's Symposium include six renowned plenary speakers addressing the specific program themes, 33 spoken talks, 16 poster presentations, three panel presentation including our special 'Fishers Panel, a trade show and several networking events. The Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Minister of State, Northern Development, will be there on behalf of DFO Minister Geoff Regan to welcome participants.
Participants are coming from as far away as New York State and all Canadian provinces and territories will be well-represented. "We would like to extend a special thank you to our 15 sponsorship partners for their generous and committed contributions to the Symposium", said Ms. Harwood, "without their help we would not have been able to host it."
Our website at www.laketroutsymposium2005.ca/conference.htm
provides more details on what is happening and when.
- 30 -
For more information:
Robbi Jordan
Regional Communications Manager
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Central and Arctic Region
(905) 336-4974
