Case Studies in Fisheries Conservation and Management: Applied Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Case 32: Effects of Freshwater Fish Translocations and Stocking Programs, Including the Role of State and Provincial Natural Resource Agencies

doi: https://doi.org/10.47886/9781934874189.ch32

The newspaper headline screams: “Biologists stock the wrong subspecies of cutthroat trout into recovery area!” We suspect that none of you would like to wear the shoes of such a biologist. However, this is a real headline that appeared a few years ago in a wide range of newspapers and magazines. The topic of fish stocking can be a hotbed of contention!

For the purposes of this case study, think broadly of fish stocking as:

• fish translocations to water bodies where they are not native;
• fish stocking programs, often for recreational fishing purposes and
often with native fish; and
• the use of hatcheries for recovery of endangered fishes.

Your instructor will create several teams and then assign specific readings to each team. The teams will develop at least some expertise in several topic areas.