A signal we’re out of balance
Fish, though delicious, are rarely lovable, with a few saltwater cartoon exceptions such as Pixar’s popular duo of Nemo and Dory. Sucker fish, especially, don’t have much of a fan club given their bottom-feeding status. But for all they lack in charisma, they are an important mark of an ecosystem’s health.
That is why it is worth taking stock of a winter fish kill at Lake Isle, 80 km west of Edmonton. A story in Saturday’s Journal, accompanied by a video, showed hundreds of fish floating white belly up, already dead, while thousands more fought for oxygen at small openings in the ice-covered lake.
It’s sad to see so many fish crowding together, gasping for air. Even more concerning is the fact that fatal conditions of Lake Isle after this year’s long winter speak to a bigger problem for our prairie lakes to which we ought to pay serious attention.
Alberta Fish and Wildlife scientist Michael Sullivan summed up the issue confronting the province’s already naturally phosphorous-rich lakes: “The problem is land use, the solution is land use.”
Recognizing the problem, many communities have already formed watershed alliances to address the health of their lakes. These are important local organizations doing good work trying to understand specific conditions and encourage changes to local practices, such as leaving wetlands and forest buffers alone and ending the overuse of cosmetic fertilizers. These efforts are reason to hope.
But there is obviously more work to do. Our water bodies, even the shallow prairie lakes, are a vital resource and key to the health of the ecosystem.
Albertans have to ask themselves some questions. What do we care more about: Water quality or cottage view? Water quality or intensive agriculture including cattle ranching or crop harvesting?
Most people probably agree that it should not be an either-or proposition: The fish kill indicates we are out of balance.
The temptation will be to blame the other guy — farmers blame cottage owners, cottage owners blame industry and on it goes. Lake health won’t improve if it becomes a question of finger pointing.
After years of blue-green algae warnings spoiling summer on so many lakes and wreaking havoc on fish populations, this should be the year Alberta takes stock of its actions to fight algae. It is good that communities are working locally. At the provincial level, ministries such as agriculture, environment (including the land use secretariat), health and the treasury board need to collaborate to tackle this significant challenge.
Of course, the buildup of phosphorous through run-off, fertilizers and livestock operations will take time to undo. But it’s worth exploring whether mandatory vegetation buffers are big enough and just how close is too close for agricultural operations.
Sullivan raises an interesting question about the balance farmers face in using all of their land for agriculture due to economic necessity. He asks if it is time to put tax money into allowing farmers to use best practices that are gentler.
If the cost for healthy lakes starts out with a financial incentive, Albertans may be willing to shoulder some of that burden. At the very least, it is worth asking the question.