crab

Saturday September 8, 2018

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday September 8, 2018

Scientists urging people to stop dumping aquarium and market fish into Hamilton Harbour

Harbour scientists say they have been finding some strange new creatures in Hamilton Harbour this summer, suggesting people are dumping aquarium and fish market species into the waters.

June 24, 2015

“We’ve seen some fish that really should not be there and it’s really a sign of people purposefully and irresponsibly and illegally releasing fish into Hamilton Harbour,” said Becky Cudmore, senior science adviser on aquatic invasive species with Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Among the findings are four tilapia fish and a type of aquarium catfish. This is on top of an established population of goldfish, the outcome of untold numbers of people emptying their aquarium fish into the bay and Cootes Paradise.

“What we are seeing with goldfish is something we don’t want to see happening with other species,” she said.

She believes the tilapia, a non-native species originally from the Middle East and Africa, were bought at a fish market and then released into the harbour in a misguided effort to save the fish from being eaten.

“It’s not fair to the fish because they are not meant to be in that water,” said Cudmore. She urged people with unwanted aquarium fish to take the fish to pet rescue centres or back to the store where they bought them.

She expects tilapia in the harbour will die out over the winter because the species prefers tropical environments. But some could survive by using warm water effluent from Hamilton steel mills as an overwintering haven.

Tys Theijsmeijer, the head of natural lands for the Royal Botanical Gardens, says as well as adversely affecting native species, introduced species can bring new diseases to the ecosystem. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) 

 

Wednesday June 24, 2015

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator - Wednesday June 24, 2015 Invasive crab makes strange appearance in Cootes Paradise Scientists at the Royal Botanical Gardens are scratching their heads about the bizarre discovery Monday of a live Asian crab, a creature listed as one of the 100 worst invasive species on Earth. The adult crustacean Ñ with its centre section, carapace, measuring 8 centimetres across Ñ was identified as a Chinese Mitten Crab. It was inadvertently captured at the Cootes Paradise Fishway, a structure designed to keep carp out of Cootes Paradise from Hamilton Harbour, but allow other desirable species of fish to pass through. "I was absolutely amazed how big the crab was and the fact that it was living in fresh water," said Tys Theysmeyer, head of natural lands at the RBG. According to the World Conservation Union, an international environmental group based in Switzerland, the burrowing crab with furry, mittenlike claws "modifies habitats by causing erosion due to its intensive burrowing activity and costs fisheries and aquaculture several hundreds of thousands of dollars per year by consuming bait and trapped fish as well as by damaging gear." But while the Chinese Mitten Crab has caused major problems in Europe, it is not viewed as a threat to the Great Lakes, says Hugh MacIsaac, an invasive species expert from the University of Windsor. The creature, he says, would not be able to reproduce. The crab requires saltwater to bear offspring and that's not something a crab in Hamilton Harbour could reasonably find. The St. Lawrence Seaway does not become salty enough until Quebec City, nearly 900 kilometres away from Hamilton. In other parts of the world where fresh and salt water are closer together, such as the Thames River in England, it's a different story. The crustacean is multiplying rapidly there, destroying fragile riverbanks as it preys on native species. Six years ago, Londoners were told that the crab was sa

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday June 24, 2015

Invasive crab makes strange appearance in Cootes Paradise

Scientists at the Royal Botanical Gardens are scratching their heads about the bizarre discovery Monday of a live Asian crab, a creature listed as one of the 100 worst invasive species on Earth.

The adult crustacean — with its centre section, carapace, measuring 8 centimetres across — was identified as a Chinese Mitten Crab. It was inadvertently captured at the Cootes Paradise Fishway, a structure designed to keep carp out of Cootes Paradise from Hamilton Harbour, but allow other desirable species of fish to pass through.

“I was absolutely amazed how big the crab was and the fact that it was living in fresh water,” said Tys Theysmeyer, head of natural lands at the RBG.

According to the World Conservation Union, an international environmental group based in Switzerland, the burrowing crab with furry, mittenlike claws “modifies habitats by causing erosion due to its intensive burrowing activity and costs fisheries and aquaculture several hundreds of thousands of dollars per year by consuming bait and trapped fish as well as by damaging gear.”

But while the Chinese Mitten Crab has caused major problems in Europe, it is not viewed as a threat to the Great Lakes, says Hugh MacIsaac, an invasive species expert from the University of Windsor. The creature, he says, would not be able to reproduce.

The crab requires saltwater to bear offspring and that’s not something a crab in Hamilton Harbour could reasonably find. The St. Lawrence Seaway does not become salty enough until Quebec City, nearly 900 kilometres away from Hamilton.

In other parts of the world where fresh and salt water are closer together, such as the Thames River in England, it’s a different story. The crustacean is multiplying rapidly there, destroying fragile riverbanks as it preys on native species.

Six years ago, Londoners were told that the crab was safe to eat and to some it has become a food source. But high numbers continue.

There have been occasional discoveries of the crab in the Great Lakes over the years, but Monday’s was the first report in Hamilton Harbour. MacIsaac says the creature probably found its way to the harbour in the ballast water of a ship.

The crab was picked up by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and was being analyzed. A spokesperson was not available for comment. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Wednesday, November 13, 2013By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Integrity commissioner cleared Bratina

The integrity commissioner has cleared Mayor Bob Bratina of threatening city manager Chris Murray during a heated council meeting.

Earl Basse’s report says Bratina’s tone and comments to Murray during the April 24 discussion on light rail transit were “angry” and “not appropriate” but did not contravene council’s code of conduct.

Basse’s finding was based on the fact that Murray told him he did not feel intimidated or threatened by the mayor’s actions, nor felt his professional reputation had been injured.

According to Basse’s report, other senior managers near Murray did not feel “intimidated or harassed” and Bratina’s tone in his exchange with Murray reflected the “fervent” emotion of the meeting.

Basse notes that the mayor also apologized to Murray after the incident.
Bratina says the investigation was “thorough” and “fair” and his apology to Murray stands.

“I think the important part of the report is directed to council,” he said, adding all 16 members of council need to behave appropriately in their relationships with staff.

Bratina believes overall the relationship between councillors and staff is much better than the previous council term.

“Everyone acknowledges that. The decorum is light years better than it was.”

Council unanimously voted to ask Basse to investigate whether Bratina bullied Murray after the mayor left his chair and spoke aggressively to Murray.

Bratina was apparently responding to Murray’s comments that a proposed motion reaffirming council’s preference for LRT didn’t contradict council’s approved rapid transit plan.

Basse notes that during his investigation he learned that senior managers have a positive relationship with council but often “feel intimidated” when making presentations.

This is the second time Bratina has faced an integrity investigation. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)