Episode 15: Drones, science communication, and changing roles with Auston Chhor

For the finale of this season “More than a fish”, we’re switching it up! The roles are reversed – host Auston Chhor is interviewed by our podcast producer, Sofia Osborne, and is put in the hot seat to ponder some of the complex questions he’s thrown at guests throughout the previous episodes. 

Auston is a Salmon Habitat Biologist for Raincoast’s wild salmon program, and a Registered Professional Biologist. He received a BSc in Biology from Queen’s University and went on to complete a Master’s of Science at Carleton University under Dr. Steven Cooke, where he studied how catch-and-release angling impacts the behaviour of fish – basically, what happens to fish when you catch them and let them go, and what fishers can do to minimize their impacts when doing this. Spoiler alert: fish don’t like being out of water! 

Sofia asks what brought Auston to Raincoast; we learn how he actually applied for his colleague’s position, which he was drastically underqualified for (his words). He didn’t get the job, but things worked out in a different way for the better.

Recently at Raincoast, a lot of Auston’s work has involved flying 30-pound drones, snorkeling, and bush-wacking, all with the goal to improve habitat conditions for salmon. Historically, Raincoast’s salmon program has worked primarily in the Lower Fraser, from Hope to YVR, but Auston was interested in seeing what the issues were like further upstream, where salmon go to spawn. 

So, he found himself in the Nicola watershed, examining how climate change is affecting freshwater habitat and how habitat can be improved to increase resilience for fish. Another spoiler alert: salmon need air conditioning, just like we do! Groundwater = their version of AC.

Finally, and this will likely not come as a huge shocker as he’s been such a fabulous host this season, but Auston is a talented science communicator. As a freelance writer, he’s had work featured in The Tyee and Canada’s National Observer. Sofia asks about the transition between scientific, technical writing versus creative, and how Auston got started, as well as what future he sees for science communication.

Additional resources

• Auston’s notes from the field working in the Nicola
• See how they fly the drone and snorkel survey the Coldwater River
• Learn more about Raincoast’s salmon program
• Keep up with Raincoast’s events calendar to see when Auston or others host meet-ups
• Subscribe to Raincoast’s newsletter