Atlantic Salmon
Fish Species Management-With another field season around the corner and many stream rehabilitation projects on the horizon across the country, we felt it was timely to re-emphasize TUC’s priorities when it comes to our Fish Species Management policies.
First and foremost, when prioritizing projects, we aim to focus on those that support existing native, naturally reproducing species within their natural habitats and range. Each region of Canada has a unique mix of locally adapted native species and stocks, many of which have been altered, modified, or lost since European settlement. Protecting what is remaining and restoring what has been lost is a major focus for TUC and can be considered one of our contributions to Canada’s native biodiversity.
In Ontario and eastern Canada, our focus tends to be on Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) given they are an existing native coldwater species with immense ecological importance that also acts as a crucial indicator for overall environmental health within a system. TUC also collaborates with partner organizations on the reintroduction of other historically abundant native species, such as the Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) that have been extirpated from Lake Ontario since the 19th century. The Bring Back the Salmon program involves stocking in targeted locations, to help re-introduce these fish to their natural range.
In western Canada, many of the native coldwater species are also listed as threatened. Over the years, TUC has dedicated much of our work on the rehabilitation of aquatic habitat quality and quantity for species such as the Westslope Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi), Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus), Arctic Grayling (Thymallus arcticus). These species are threatened by many of the same habitat-related issues which should be addressed strategically on a regional basis, as often their habitats overlap with each other.
Arctic Grayling
TUC’s secondary management priority includes introduced species where they currently exist as naturalized populations. TUC supports initiatives focussed on naturalized populations where they do not conflict with or threaten the physical, biological or genetic integrity of native fish species. An example of this approach is the Mallard Point project in Calgary, AB. This was a large-scale bioengineering project along a side channel of the Bow River, completed in 2015. The Bow River is a world class Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout fishery. Large woody structures and trees and shrubs were planted to stabilize a slumping and unstable bank, creating habitat and cover for fish, and preventing excess erosion and sedimentation. Despite this stretch being within the historical range of Bull Trout and Westslope Cutthroat Trout, these species no longer inhabit this reach for a variety of reasons. As such, improvements to habitat along the Bow River in Calgary benefit the overall aquatic community which includes native fish species such as Mountain Whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) and Northern Pike (Esox lucius) as well as highly-sought after naturalized species, like the Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) and Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
Lastly, we support the development of new fisheries using non-native or naturalized stocks, where there is evidence no social and/or ecological conflicts exist. Overall, restoring or protecting habitat so that fish can reproduce successfully on their own is the most cost effective and ecologically sound approach to fish community management. A focus on habitat also provides broader values such as clean water and resilient rivers and streams that benefit communities for future generations.
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