[Sundancefisher]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

Too funny. You are all for creating fish farms but the purist in you is against fishing for genetically enhanced fish.

Are illegally introduced perch genetically enhanced?

Illegal Stocking of Fish
Alberta regulations prohibit the transfer of live game fish or live bait fish or crayfish from one water body to another. The placing of any live fish or fish eggs into any waters of the province other than those from which they were taken is also prohibited. Report anyone you observe relocating live fish or using live fish for bait to the nearest Fish and Wildlife Division office, or call Report A Poacher toll-free, 1-800-642-3800. The fishery resource that you are protecting is your own.

http://www.albertaregulations.ca/fishingregs/

Davey...here are some triploid facts to ease your fears...

Triploid Trout FaQ Sheet

What is a triploid trout?
When fish spawn, the female eggs possess two sets of chromosomes, and the male sperm possess one set. After the eggs are fertilized, the chromosomes recombine, and each egg inherits one set of chromosomes from the female and another set from the male – similar to humans. The third set is then kicked out of the egg. By exposing trout eggs to pressure or by placing eggs in a warm water bath shortly after fertilization, the ability to kick out that third set of chromosomes is inhibited and the third set of chromosomes is retained, creating a triploid trout.

What are the advantages of triploid trout over diploid trout?

Triploid fish look, swim, jump and taste like normal fish, except they never develop normal eggs or sperm and are unable to reproduce.

Researchers have also found that while triploid fish have a slightly slower growth rate than normal trout, they can reach a larger size. This can be explained by the fact that triploid trout do not develop sex organs and continue to grow at the same rate while normal trout spend a lot of their energy in the production of eggs and sperm. In many Salmonids, sterility means that fish will live longer, resulting in some trophy individuals.
Do triploid trout develop sexual characteristics?
Yes. Males may have reduced gonadal growth and go through colour changes, develop hooked jaws and may try to spawn with female trout during the spawning season even though they are infertile. Triploid female trout do not develop any secondary sexual characteristics and do not participate in spawning.

Do triploid trout survive better than normal trout?
Fish culturists have observed a slight increase in mortality of triploid trout during incubation and early life stages. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that the survival of stocked triploid trout may be higher than stocked diploid trout due to the fact that they are not exposed to the stressors associated with spawning activity.

Why stock triploid trout in Alberta?
Triploid fish are stocked in Alberta for:
Conservation Stockings in areas where there is a probability of stocked fish escapement and the risk of negative impact on native fish populations is anticipated. Many of Alberta’s native fish populations are considered to be “Sensitive” and populations are managed using restrictive regulations. Stocking diploids can result in unwanted hybridization, predation, or competition with native species. Triploid stockings eliminate the potential for hybridization and by stopping stockings, other concerns can be eliminated within one life cycle.

“Quality Fisheries” or stocked fisheries whose main objective is to have the capability to produce 50 cm plus trout within a minimum of four years of stocking.

“Put-Grow-Take” fisheries generally involve stocking small fish, which need to grow in the wild before they are ready to be harvested. Typically these are productive waters that can sustain fish populations throughout the year, but have limited or no spawning habitat for the stocked fish.

Are triploid fish safe to eat?
Yes. Triploid fish are not considered genetically modified organisms because there is no introduction of genetic material from other organisms. Triploid fish have been produced for sport fishing and commercial use for over 20 years. Triploid production is common not only in fish, but also many other foods such as bananas and seedless watermelon.

http://www.albertaregulations.ca/fishingregs/