Emerald Shiner Conservation and Restoration Study in the Upper Niagara River

Emerald shiners are small fish that constitute the base of the food web that supports many sport fish and fishing birds in the Niagara River. They are particularly important in the diet of the common tern, a threatened species in this area, and contribute significantly to their chick-rearing success. We know very little about the migration of the emerald shiners in and out of the river into Lake Erie. However, observational accounts report that while the adults move into the river in the spawning season, juveniles and larvae swim upstream back into Lake Erie. Unfortunately, the river shoreline has suffered multiple transformations; riprap and bulkheads dominate most of the areas that in a natural river would have slower currents. The concern is that the emerald shiners, and especially their juveniles, may have a difficult time completing their annual migration cycles. A collapse in this species would have negative repercussions to their predators, sport fish and birds that depend on this resource. The impact would be felt by the public as well, sport fishermen and bird-watchers, nature-lovers and river users. This project will provide the tools to improve habitat and migration bottlenecks for emerald shiners and thus contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the sport fish and bids in the upper Niagara River.