In accordance with public health guidelines, the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup (DRCC) office remains closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, we have cancelled all in person DRCC events until September 30, 2020. Should you need to reach out to the DRCC, we can be reached via e-mail or telephone (519) 982-3722.

Detroit River Canadian Cleanup (DRCC) representatives will be out on the river over the next few months conducting in-person interviews with Detroit River anglers. We are collecting valuable information to help guide future research, education and outreach, and monitoring and remediation efforts in the Detroit River. The DRCC wants to know which fish people consume, how they consume them, and who they consume the fish with. The survey is anonymous, participation is voluntary, and it does not ask whether anglers have a license or other law or enforcement related questions. While supplies last, participants will receive a gift card for their response.

All in-person surveys will be conducted in strict accordance with public health guidelines. The interviewer will be wearing a mask, continuously washing and sanitizing their hands, and will maintain physical distancing of at least two metres at all times during the interview.

The survey is also being offered in an online format.

The Friends of the Detroit River (FDR) hosted a virtual public meeting on their upcoming Hennepin Marsh project. FDR is planning a large scale habitat project on the U.S. side of the river at Hennepin Marsh, located west of Grosse Ille. Approximately 3,700 linear feet of habitat shoals/islands will be constructed in the Detroit River along Gross Ile and native plantings will occur on a variety of the shoals. In addition, approximately 6,00 square feet of fish spawning habitat will be constructed as a result of this project. We look forward to following along as this project progresses.

Artist rendering of Hennepin Marsh project

Shallow Lake Erie must stick to its strict diet to starve its problematic algal blooms, but the four deeper Great Lakes face a tricky dilemma balancing their nutrient needs, according to a new report by the International Joint Commission’s (IJC) Great Lakes Science Advisory Board. Understanding Declining Productivity in the Offshore Regions of the Great Lakes looks at the decline in fish populations in the offshore regions of Lakes Huron, Michigan, Ontario and Superior. In the report, the Science Advisory Board (SAB) recommends a cooperative approach to ecosystem forecasting science.