Filmmakers Document Rare Great Lakes Whitefish Spawning Event
Zach Melnick and Yvonne Drebert capture unique footage of whitefish spawning, shedding light on the Great Lakes ecosystem’s changes
Great Lakes, Whitefish, Filmmakers, Zach Melnick, Yvonne Drebert, Saugeen Ojibway Nations, Ecosystem
Victoria: Filmmakers Zach Melnick and Yvonne Drebert have made a splash by being the first to film lake whitefish spawning in the Great Lakes. This isn’t just a win for them; it’s a big deal for fisheries and indigenous communities affected by changes in the freshwater ecosystem.
To get this rare footage, they braved the cold, heading out in their boat during the dark days of late fall. They spent weeks trying to capture the action, and it wasn’t easy.
It took them about 20 days of filming to finally get the shots they needed. They faced snowy conditions, but with a high-tech underwater drone, they managed to pull it off.
This footage is part of their documentary series, All Too Clear, which is featured by TVO. The series focuses on the changing Great Lakes ecosystem and is done in partnership with the Saugeen Ojibway Nations and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.
Melnick pointed out that the lake whitefish is crucial for both commercial fishers and indigenous communities in the upper Great Lakes. He noted that the ecosystem has seen significant changes, including the decline of this important fish species.
Drebert added that most fish science usually involves studying fish after they’ve been caught and died. Their work allows them to show fish in their natural habitat, which is pretty cool.
This rare footage is helping scientists understand whitefish behavior better, and they hope it can contribute to conservation efforts.