Workshop

Coregonine Aquaculture and Stocking Workshop

Please join us for a workshop focused on strengthening the research and program support needed to advance coregonine aquaculture and stocking programs led by First Nations, Tribal Nations, and government partners.

Coregonines (lake whitefish, cisco, and related forms) are central to Great Lakes restoration and fisheries objectives. Restoration objectives for coregonines can include stocking, but successful aquaculture and stocking programs depend on more than hatchery capacity. This workshop brings together First Nations and Tribal Nations, researchers, and fishery managers to share what is working, identify what is missing, and align on the most urgent priorities that directly support First Nations- and Tribal-led goals, governance, and decision-making.

The session is practical and action-oriented. We aim to leave the room with a clearer picture of priority needs across programs, a shortlist of high-priority research questions, and a proposed structure for ongoing coordination through a working group.

This meeting will be part of the 16th International Symposium on Biology and Management of Coregonid Fishes.

Where and When (Times May Change)

·         Date: Friday, September 25, 2026

·         Time: 11:00-17:00

·         Location: Room TBD (at the conference venue; details will be circulated once confirmed)

·         Meals: Lunch will be provided (dietary needs can be accommodated where possible)

What We Will Cover (Workshop Format)

The workshop will combine short presentations and structured discussion. Anticipated components include:

·         Scene-setting overview of current coregonine aquaculture and stocking efforts and where programs are at (First Nations- and Tribal-led, and government-led)

·         Needs identification: what First Nations and Tribal Nations require to initiate, expand, or sustain programs (infrastructure, training, staffing, funding stability, regulatory pathways, data governance, partnerships, etc.)

·         Research priorities: science and monitoring needed to de-risk decisions and increase success (broodstock sourcing, genetics, disease and health, rearing protocols, release strategies, survival and return monitoring, habitat and food web constraints, etc.)

·         Working group design: what an effective, respectful, and useful working group could look like (membership, roles, cadence, products, and how outputs will be used)

If helpful, time can also be reserved for participants to share brief case studies, lessons learned, and specific barriers that have slowed programs down.

Objectives

·         Establish a working group to improve coordination, information-sharing, and practical collaboration

·         Identify critical First Nations and Tribal needs for developing coregonine aquaculture capacity and sustaining programs over time

·         Identify priority research needs that directly support First Nations and Tribal objectives and program decisions (from hatchery operations to stocking evaluation and outcomes)

Who Should Attend

This workshop is intended for people actively working on, supporting, or planning coregonine culture and stocking programs, including:

·         Researchers at all career stages, especially early career researchers, with interests in aquaculture, genetics, fish health, rearing, stocking effectiveness, and restoration ecology

·         First Nations and Tribal Nations interested in, or currently engaged in, coregonine culture, restoration, and stocking initiatives

·         Fishery managers and biologists involved in aquaculture operations, stocking decisions, monitoring and evaluation, and policy development

·         Program partners and practitioners involved in hatchery operations, field monitoring, and First Nations- and Tribal-led restoration planning

Registration

Please complete both steps by August 10, 2026:

1.       Register for the conference by August 10, 2026. You may register for the full week or for the day of the workshop only.

2.       Confirm your workshop attendance by August 10, 2026 by emailing Ryan Lauzon (nawash.fisheries@gmail.com). Funding may be available to support travel and registration for the workshop for community members. Please indicate that you would be interested in receiving support when you confirm your attendance by emailing Ryan Lauzon (nawash.fisheries@gmail.com).

Confirming attendance helps ensure appropriate room size, catering, and materials.

Questions?

Please contact Ryan Lauzon (nawash.fisheries@gmail.com). Jordane Robichaud (nawashfisheries.coordinator@gmail.com), or Justin Ritchie (justin.ritchie@saugeen.org).