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Alison Colotelo is currently a M.Sc. student
in the Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology
Lab at Carleton University under the supervision
of Dr. Steven Cooke.
Past Education:
B.Sc. Honours Forensic Science - Laurentian
University
Thesis Title: Condition and fate of fish released
after capture by recreational and commercial fisheries:
validation and application of novel integrative
techniques for evaluating fish condition
Any fish that is captured by humans or interacts
with anthropogenic infrastructure (e.g., dams,
turbines, fishways, fishing gear) is potentially
subjected to multiple stressors and opportunities
for injury which may cause an alteration in their
condition and health. Through these interactions,
immediate mortality can result. For fish that
do not die, there is still opportunity for sublethal
disturbances such as physical injury, physiological
stress, and behavioural impairments. Solely, or
more likely in combination with one another, these
sublethal changes in condition can lead to delayed
mortality of the individual.
My M.Sc. research is focusing on examining injury,
physiological changes and behavioural impairments
associated with the capture and handling of fish
from recreational and commercial fisheries.
Evaluation of Common Sources of Physical Injury
to Popular Sport Fish during Recreational Angling
Events
It is estimated that 2/3rds of all fish captured
through recreational angling are released. The
handling associated with hook removal and return
of the fish to their natural environment can cause
physical damage to the epidermal layer of the
fish which may lead to infection (e.g., Saprolegnia
spp.) which compromises the health, condition,
and potentially survival of released fish. I am
using fluorescein, a non-toxic dye, to identify
and quantify latent injury associated with several
different handling methods used commonly in recreational
angling for two popular sport fish species, largemouth
bass (Micropterus salmoides) and northern pike
(Esox lucius).
Condition and Fate of Discarded Bycatch Associated
with an Inland Commercial Fishery
One of the main concerns associated with commercial
fisheries is the potential mortality and sub-lethal
consequences on discarded bycatch. Bycatch refers
to organisms that are undersized, non-targeted
species or under harvest restrictions and can
include fish, turtles, mammals and birds. Investigation
into fisheries bycatch reduction and survival
has primarily focused on marine systems, but with
increasing interest in expanding inland commercial
fisheries and understanding and mitigating their
potential impacts, there is need for scientific
information to aid in fisheries management and
conservation. I am currently monitoring bycatch
and investigating the condition of fish which
are discarded from inland commercial fisheries
by measuring injury, physiological disturbance
and behavioural impairment (reflexes).
This project is a collaboration between Carleton
University, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources,
Ontario Commercial Fisheries Association and Fisheries
and Oceans Canada.
Other Interests:
In May 2008 I instructed a week long course for
local elementary and high school students through
the Enrichment Mini-Course Program at Carleton
University. This course covered general information
relating to fish ecology and life history, as
well as human impacts on fisheries and conservation.
Publications:
Colotelo AH, Cooke SJ, Smokorowski K.
In Press. Application of forensic techniques to
enhance fish conservation and management: Injury
detection using presumptive tests for blood. Endangered
Species Research (Special Issue: Forensic Methods
in Conservation Research). 00:000-000.
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