Freshwater is the most precious resource on our planet, without it nothing can survive yet less than 4% of the water on our planet is freshwater yet it holds some of the richest biodiversity in the world. On their timeless journey from source to sea rivers have forever provided the lifeblood of a nation – vital to wildlife and our own well being too. Waterways fascinate us at all ages. Water is a life-force of nature and our history is shaped by rivers: they have shaped our villages, towns, cities and countryside. They give us precious moments and long lasting memories: of summer walks, swimming, boating, fishing. Rivers are areas of healing and they help us unwind and they connect us closer to the natural world, Deep relaxing flows and pools to the fast water rapids and waterfalls which carve out these unique areas.

Freshwater is home to a vast array of wildlife and the aquatic species that live in this alien world come in all shapes and sizes. Reconnecting people back with the freshwater environment through film is the way to ensure part of its survival, with this in mind my 30 minute presentation will be a visual feast for all to see of freshwater fish species based on my last 30 years as an underwater cameraman specializing in freshwater showcasing on film how these amazing creatures live, breed and survive the daily rigors these aquatic creatures face living in freshwater including pollution and the work I do to restore these valuable habitats and the benefits we have seen from various projects with freshwater including our citizen science testing we carry out each year.

A review of the fishery response over time to continuous AIS management in several Michigan lakes, Paul Hausler, Progressive AE

Using data provided by MDNR Fisheries Division as part of their Status and Trends program, provide an evaluation of fishery responses to the implementation of lake-wide aquatic invasive species control programs. Lake-wide control programs were verified using Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) MiWaters database files that had been uploaded for each of the subject lakes. Data were evaluated from a total of 14 lakes that had instituted lake-wide AIS control between the first and second fishery surveys. These data were compared to data collected on 7 lakes where lake-wide AIS control had not been implemented. A description of established sampling protocols are also provided as well as potential sources of error in the data sets.

Learn more about the Michigan Inland Lakes Convention presentations here.