Burbot: Ecology, Management, and Culture

Foreword

doi: https://doi.org/10.47886/9781888569988.fmatter

Burbot Lota lota are circumpolar in distribution and found in the northern tier of states and Canada. Recent research suggests that there are two subspecies: Lota lota lota found in Eurasia and Alaska and Lota lota maculosa found in North America south of Great Slave Lake. Unfortunately, burbot populations are threatened or have been extirpated in many waters in their southern range in North America, and in many states, they are a species of special concern. The status of burbot is in question in some European countries, or they have been extirpated in others. In North America, burbot are despised in some waters, especially when competing with walleye Sander vitreus or lake trout Salvelinus namaycush, and held in high esteem in others. Management of burbot stocks as sport or commercial fisheries is poorly understood. In a survey of western states and provinces I did several years ago, most managers and researchers felt that management regulations were not supported by science and regulations were by “the seat of their pants.” Interest in burbot has in my opinion improved in the last half decade, perhaps because of the First International Burbot Symposium. Through publication of the Second International Burbot Symposium, we hope to further promote research, development of burbot management, and restoration throughout their range. One of the intents of the American Fisheries Society is to promote research and management development of fishes and stimulate the imagination of researchers and managers.