Ever wondered what really lives beneath the surface when human infrastructure meets wild freshwater ecosystems? On Earth Day — Wednesday, 22 April (10:00 AM ET) — audiences will be able to find out live.
For this special edition of Hidden Below LIVE, award-winning filmmakers and freshwater explorers Yvonne Drebert and Zach Melnick (Inspired Planet Productions) will take viewers into the warm, crystal-clear waters surrounding the Bruce Power nuclear generating station on Lake Huron — an underwater environment they describe as a thriving “Fish City”, where more than a dozen species gather in a habitat shaped by human influence.
Using a cinema gradeBoxfish Luna ROV, the livestream will offer rare real time access to a visually mesmerising and seldom-seen freshwater world and a chance for the public to engage directly with the science as it happens.
Showcasing Science in Action
Joining Yvonne Drebert and Zach Melnick will be renowned fish biologist Dr. Nicholas Mandrak and Bruce Power scientist Dr. Cherie‑Lee Fietsch, bringing expert insight into why this near-shore environment supports such dense and diverse life and what it can teach us about freshwater ecosystems in a changing world.
Viewers can expect close encounters with species including:
Ancient bowfin (often described as unchanged since the age of dinosaurs)
Bigmouth buffalo (the Great Lakes’ largest sucker fish, known to live more than a century)
Smallmouth bass (potentially gathering ahead of spawning)
Walleye, freshwater drum, catfish, and rainbow trout
Vast numbers of gizzard shad, drawn to the area’s warm-water outflow
And because it’s live, surprises are always possible, from sea lamprey and salmon to diving birds, invasive carp, or even beaver.
Co-directors Yvonne Drebert and Zach Melnick with “Kiyi”, the Boxfish Luna underwater drone they use to explore the Great Lakes. Photo Credit: Inspired Planet Productions.
Why Watch
“Fish City” is a vivid reminder that the Great Lakes aren’t untouched wilderness, they are living ecosystems intricately intertwined with human activity. By streaming live, this expedition invites the public to see what researchers and local experts have studied for decades, while asking bigger questions about how freshwater habitats respond to human influence.
By streaming live, the project not only contributes to scientific knowledge but also invites the public to engage directly with ongoing research.
This is the first in a series of live events under the new project by Inspired Planet Productions “Hidden Below: The Freshwater World”. Each livestream offers real-time discoveries, connecting science, technology, and public outreach like never before!
How to Join
Date & Time: Earth Day, Wednesday, 22 April, 10:00 AM ET Where: Watch live on YouTube
Don’t miss this chance to explore the waters surrounding one of the world’s largest power plants live and see how Boxfish Luna is powering a new era of underwater exploration.