Quote:
Originally Posted by EZM
Lots of opinions here - and very little pragmatic thought ....... my comments are intended not to single out or target anyone who has contributed, but rather to provide some food for thought.
1) You cannot apply a "general walleye" limit or slot size or any harvest plan across an entire province like Alberta where the amount of water is limited. As a result the pressure is high here in Alberta. Comparing it to another jurisdiction is flawed. Apples to Oranges.
2) Any management (harvest, C&R, slot size) limits must be specific to the watershed as one lakes population and health are not necessarily indicative of the lake 30km down the road. A one size shoe fits all strategy does not work.
3) You need more BIOs to be able to properly and thoroughly study a specific watershed so they can apply a specific strategy to that same, and distinct, watershed. Because these BIO's are underfunded and overworked they cannot dedicate the time or attention to doing a good job with everything they are supposed to get done in a season. Try building a fence with scotch tape and a staple gun and see how that turns out for you. To insinuate these individuals are to blame, or perhaps that they are stupid isn't fair.
If we really want change, we should use the AFGA as a resource to present a resolution to the SRD which would effectively focus on providing greater support for our BIO's (money, manpower, etc..) - it is likely to be paid for from somewhere, so we should be prepared to pay up or shut up ..... which means a potential increase to our license costs OR the re-allocation of funds from another program (related or not).
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Gee EZM,
How about the ONE THING DIFFERENT that I mentioned. Conservation Closures during the Spawning period that the Recreational Anglers have to abide by? This COULD be imposed Province Wide, as the Walleye still spawn in the spring throughout the Province.
No need to get more bios studying that proposal, its basic knowledge.
However, you and huntsfurfish gloss over that ONE simple proposal, that would make a world of difference to each and every waterbody in Alberta which has a spawning walleye population.
So you two, tell me why Fisheries CANNOT act like professionals and make a difference for once by imposing this simple solution with the tool of Conservation Closures, that in fact allows control over the non regulated user groups when the walleye resource is its most vulnerable.
Drewski