In Lake Huron, captivating underwater footage has revealed a zone dubbed “fish city” by a documentary crew for Earth Day due to an apparent abundance of fish. However, the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) disputes this representation, asserting that the area near the warm-water outflow of the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station is more accurately described as a “fish trap.”
The SON highlights the deaths of up to five million gizzard shad in 2025, as documented by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in a regulatory report from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. This mass die-off occurred when an influx of fish into the station’s intake systems led to a shutdown of Bruce A Unit 2.
Additionally, the SON reports incidents of lake sturgeon, a culturally significant and endangered species in Anishnaabe teachings, becoming stranded at the plant. While one sturgeon was rescued by Bruce Power and SON, three remain in the forebay pond.
The dispute over the characterization of “fish city” extends beyond visuals, raising concerns about ecological risk management by Bruce Power. The utility is seeking approval from regulators to raise plant limits and increase reactor output to meet growing electricity demands.
SON contends that the warm water discharge from the nuclear plant acts as a lure for fish, ultimately trapping them within the plant’s systems. Ryan Lauzon, a biologist with SON, describes the site’s operation as having two stages: attraction and entrapment, where fish are drawn in by the warmth and food availability but struggle to exit the plant.
Bruce Power refutes claims that the plant was responsible for the 2025 fish die-off, attributing it to environmental factors such as high fish numbers and harsh winter conditions. The company asserts that it has implemented various measures, including nets and monitoring systems, to prevent fish entrapment.
Despite seeking to increase electricity generation, Bruce Power acknowledges a lack of clear benchmarks for assessing acceptable fish losses due to intake systems. This ambiguity underscores the challenge of balancing operational needs with environmental impact.
The impact of the fish deaths goes beyond ecological concerns, as gizzard shad play a crucial role in the lake ecosystem and are valued culturally by Indigenous communities. The loss of these fish has ripple effects on other species and underscores the cultural significance of fish in Anishnaabe teachings.