School Life

For the sixth year in a row, Mme. Valerie Vien's environmental biology class participated in the Biosphere's Freshwater Fish Ecowatch Network. The data gathered during this project provides Environment Canada with information about the health of freshwater fish in the St. Lawrence River.

Students go into the St. Lawrence with giant nets called seines and collect as many fish as we can. We then conduct tests on the fish to verify length and to check if any of them are blind, if they have parasites, if there is any fin erosion, etc. After testing, the fish are released back into the river. The results are compiled in a report that is available on the Biosphere's website and is used by many prominent scientists and researchers to determine trends in the St. Lawrence fish population.

Thankfully, the weather was fantastic on the days we went, and the fish were plentiful and diverse. We caught catfish, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, rock bass, white sucker, northern pike, sauger and the rare mooneye. Examining the fish was a unique and unforgettable experience. This course differs from the rest because, as opposed to using books, we use our hands to examine fish, do field and lab work. All of us have gained a better understanding of what it is like to be a real biologist! Fish out!

Experiential education is part of West Island College