Non-lethal sampling methods for assessing environmental impacts using a small-bodies sentinel fish species

摘要

Under the Canadian Fisheries Act, pulp and paper mills and metal mines must conduct a cyclical monitoring program for potential environmental effects that includes a fish survey. Study designs for the fish survey have been evolving over the past few years, and there has been increased emphasis on the use of small-bodies fish species. In creasing concerns about the potential impacts of sampling programs on the fish populations in smaller receiving waters have led us to develop non-lethal sampling methodologies that will satisfy the informa- tion requirements for the environmental effects monitoring program.