Dr. Christopher Somers is a Professor of Biology at the University of Regina. Chris is an applied ecologist who works on critters of all kinds, but has a special interest in fish. His research program uses science to try and understand interactions between humans and animals. Given the huge interest in recreational angling worldwide, there is really no better example of people interacting with animals than fishing! To better address fisheries conservation and management issues in central Canada, Chris started the Saskatchewan Sportfish Research Group at the University of Regina in 2017. Students and staff in this group take on a variety of research topics on fish, and attempt to involve anglers in a data collection in a variety of ways.
Perhaps best known is the long-term fish tagging program in Saskatchewan, in which 6 different species are tagged after being caught, and anglers report subsequent recaptures. Ultimately, Chris aims to help improve knowledge of fish ecology and response to angling to ensure that fishing remains a sustainable pursuit for generations to come.
https://www.facebook.com/SaskSportfishResearch/
Julee Stewart is a Master of Science student at the University of Regina. She is studying the effects of catch and release ice angling on northern pike in southern Saskatchewan. Currently, there is little known about fish feeding behaviour in the winter and how they respond to catch and release. Julee aims at filling this gap of knowledge by completing standardized field trials using unattended tip-ups with four commonly used hook styles (circle hook, single treble, double treble, and triple treble). She will be analyzing field data, sonar outputs, and underwater video footage to determine relationships between hook styles, fish behaviour, and injury rates.