Great Lakes Echo (https://greatlakesecho.org/tag/catch-of-the-day/page/104/)
Urban farmers in Flint, Mich., have run into a problem – finding water for their crops. The challenge stems from zoning laws, unwilling neighbors and chemicals.
Filmed and produced by Michigan State University’s School of Journalism and by the Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies, and Media. Featured image: Velo Steve (Flickr)
Scientists are still unsure about what impact bloody-red shrimp have on Great Lakes ecosystems, but the tiny invaders seem to be a popular snack for some hungry fish. New research suggests bloody-red shrimp may become a new food source for Great Lakes fish, easing concerns that the invader would negatively impact food webs. Researchers from Queen’s University in Ontario looked in some fish bellies to see what they’re eating. They also measured the carbon and nitrogen in their muscle tissue to see if it matches the carbon and nitrogen in areas with a lot of bloody-red shrimp. And several species — the round goby, yellow perch and alewife — are dining on bloody red cocktails.
Make your yard a sanctuary for migrating birds with help from the Wisconsin Stopover Initiative. The initiative, a partnership of government agencies, private organizations, businesses and bird lovers, helps identify and protect the places migratory birds visit as they travel north and south. These in between habitats are called stopover sites. Protecting stopover sites at home is easy with these tips listed by the initiative. Remove invasive plants (the ones not native to your area) and preserve native trees and shrubs on your property.
For years there was great disagreement about the presence of cougars in Michigan, and now one photogenic cat keeps dismissing the naysayers by strutting in front of trail cameras in the Upper Peninsula. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources confirmed a radio-collared cougar on Nov. 17 caught on camera in northern Houghton County. They consider it to be the same one caught on camera twice before. “This is the third time this animal has been captured on trail cameras in the Upper Peninsula,” said Adam Bump in a prepared statement.
Great Lakes photographers have the opportunity to have their work displayed in the 2012-2013 Wisconsin’s Great Lakes Calendar published by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The Great Lakes Photo Contest has four entry categories: natural features and wildlife, people enjoying Wisconsin’s Great Lakes, historic and cultural features and lake protection activities. Contestants can submit up to three photos. The contest is open through Feb. 1, 2012.
As an angler and mandolin player, I’ve often wondered what it is about the two seemingly disparate hobbies that draws me to them. And I’m not alone. Most anglers I know have an acoustic lying around somewhere, and most guitar pickers I know have some pretty good trout stories. Well, that’s research for another day. But Bret Shaw, an environmental communication specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Extension, is looking to tap into this connection to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes region.
Recent Changes in Great Lakes Fisheries
University of Wisconsin Sea Grant fisheries expert Phil Moy explains how the Great Lakes fisheries have changed in the last 25 years. With more invasive species and less phosphorus pollution, Great Lakes fish species face new challenges. With the incoming carp invasion, they’ll face even more. (Featured image: EPA)
What Will Round Gobies Do to Great Lakes Streams? The invasive round goby are making their way from the Great Lakes into some Wisconsin streams. The University of Wisconsin Sea Grant takes a look at which streams the fish will invade, how they’ll affect stream ecosystems and what you can do to stop their spread. (Featured image: USGS Great Lakes Science Center)
Ardella Lee sells her chow chow relish – made from an old family recipe – at the Flint Farmer’s Market in Flint, Mich. Watch the video below to hear her talk about the chemical-free relish and how she remains spry at 84 years old. This video was filmed and edited by Alyssa Firth
(Feature photo: sarrazak6881 via Flickr)