Freshwater Fisheries in Canada: Past, Present and Future

Surrounded by three oceans and home to more freshwater than any other country in the world, it is not surprising that fish and fisheries are an important component of Canadian culture, economy and society.  The recreational, commercial and aboriginal fisheries sectors all generate substantial benefits, but their management, particularly when fisheries overlap, can be quite complex.  Canada has traditionally been a key player in the development of fisheries science as a discipline with many pioneers.  Of late, Canada continues to be a leader in freshwater fisheries science, although the management of fisheries is not without its failures.  Since the Pearse report (1991), there have been no attempts to synthesize the status of Canadian fisheries (in different regions) or explore the many issues and challenges that face fish, fisheries, and aquatic ecosystems today (e.g., climate change, forestry, invasive species).  This symposium will celebrate the history of fisheries science and management as well as a horizon scanning with an eye to the future.