The Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO) will be conducting fish monitoring activities in collaboration with the River Institute (RI) and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA). A team of 10 staff members will carry out seine netting in Tekakwitha Bay on Wednesday, September 17th.
The data collected will contribute to two ongoing initiatives: the Fish Identification Nearshore Survey (FINS), led by RI and MCA, and KEPO’s Aquatic Stewardship Program.
FINS has been active since 2015 and has operated in Kahnawà:ke since 2021. Its goal is to assess fish biodiversity in nearshore habitats of the upper Saint Lawrence River. All native fish captured during the monitoring will be released unharmed. Collaborators will be accompanied by KEPO staff at all times to ensure proper handling and community engagement.
KEPO encourages community members to stop by, observe the process, and speak with staff about the work being done.
For more information on the FINS program, please visit: https://riverinstitute.ca/research-projects/nearshore-ecosystem-survey/
For questions, comments, or concerns, please contact KEPO at 450-635-0600 or EnvironmentProtection@mck.ca.