Strengthening Early Life Survival of Lake Whitefish for Indigenous Food Systems Under Warming and Nutritional Stress

Lead Applicant: Joanna Bernhardt

Research Priority: Animal Health & Welfare

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2026/2027

Research Centre: Ontario Aquaculture Research Centre

Research Summary: Lake Whitefish are a deeply valued cultural food source for Indigenous communities, carrying ceremonial and spiritual significance. At the same time, they are a cornerstone of commercial fisheries and play a critical ecological role in the Great Lakes. Major recruitment declines have been linked to resource limitation and threaten food system resilience. The Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) is developing hatchery programs to support aquaculture production and restoration efforts, as well as fertilization programs to increase the productivity of their Indigenous food production system. However, the combined effects of warming and food levels on larval survival remain poorly understood, preventing the optimization of hatchery and fertilization programs. This project will determine how resource availability influences the performance of larval lake whitefish under a range of temperatures. Results will directly inform SON’s hatchery and restoration protocols and contribute to Ontario’s sustainable aquaculture capacity—supporting resilient, culturally significant, and environmentally responsible food systems.