Quote:
Originally Posted by Slamaha
Count me as one who also suggests that before action is taken a far more in depth study of the Bow River fish population needs to occur.
It has been suggested that angling is the primary factor in population reduction/harm.
However, many of us have observed that over the past 20 or more years the increasing large populations of fish eating predatory birds (some that weren't seen here prior, such as the pelicans) that have moved into the region and hunt the bow every day, 365 days a year. Pelicans and Cormorants eat alot of fish and there are alot of Pelicans and Cormorants to sustain these days.
Efforts to reduce angling pressure could have little effect without addressing the Pelican, Cormorant, Eagle, and other bird pressure along the river.
It's been widely recognized from Ontario to Lac La Biche in Walleye repopulation efforst that preditory bird population control, particularly Cormorants, is a critical part of sustaining healthy sport fish populations.
The Bow River fishery is no different.
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There’s soo many factors at play here, again, to have fishermen take the blame is disingenuous.
What about invasive species competition, ex carp? Did they study that? What about the impact of the 2013 floods?
The issue is that they’ll shut it down and never re-open/ or re-open on a extremely limited basis (again, history repeating itself). It’s a matter of time before the NSR, or SSR is next.
Why not stock and see what happens over 5 years? I’m not supportive of a full shutdown (for any river or waterbody in ab) unless every stone is turned and examined in detail with a timeline/plan & criteria to rerun to “normal”.
The timing of this “discussion” seemed a bit too convenient in my view. Once it’s shut down, kiss it goodbye. Not coming back in the same form. Every shutdown needs to come with a “path to recovery” strategy for it to be a transparent process.