EBTJV

Evaluation of Catch-and-Release Regulations on Brook Trout in Pennsylvania Streams: In 2004, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission implemented catch-and-release (CR) regulations on headwater stream systems to determine if eliminating angler harvest would result in an increase in the number of adult (≥100 mm) or large (≥175 mm) Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis. Under the CR regulations, angling was permitted on a year-round basis, no Brook Trout could be harvested at any time, and there were no tackle restrictions. A before-after–control-impact design was used to evaluate the experimental regulations. Brook Trout populations were monitored in 16 treatment (CR regulations) and 7 control streams (statewide regulations) using backpack electrofishing gear periodically for up to 15 years (from 1990 to 2003 or 2004) before the implementation of the CR regulations and over a 7–8-year period (from 2004 or 2005 to 2011) after implementation. We used Poisson mixed models to evaluate whether electrofishing catch per effort (CPE; catch/100 m2) of adult (≥100 mm) or large (≥175 mm) Brook Trout increased in treatment streams as a result of implementing CR regulations. Brook Trout CPE varied among sites and among years, and there was no significant effect (increase or decrease) of CR regulations on the CPE of adult or large Brook Trout. Results of our evaluation suggest that CR regulations were not effective at improving the CPE of adult or large Brook Trout in Pennsylvania streams. Low angler use, high voluntary catch and release, and slow growth rates in infertile headwater streams are likely the primary reasons for the lack of response.
Located in Science and Data / Brook Trout Related Publications
Description of Methods Used to Develop Brook Trout Conservation Priority Scores at the Subwatershed Scale - Hanson et al. 2014: This document describes the methodology used to develop priority scores for Brook Trout conservation at the subwatershed scale.
Located in Science and Data / Brook Trout Related Publications / Chesapeake Bay Brook Trout Management Strategy-References
Ranking Site Vulnerability to Increasing Temperatures in Southern Appalachian Brook Trout Streams in VA: An Exposure-Sensitivity Approach - Trumbo et al. 2014: This publication describes an approach determining habitat vulnerability to climate change based on measures of sensitivity and exposure.
Located in Science and Data / Brook Trout Related Publications / Chesapeake Bay Brook Trout Management Strategy-References
Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, 2014: This document is the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement that was signed in 2014.
Located in Science and Data / Chesapeake Bay Program
2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement: This document describes the framework for the Chesapeake Bay Program.
Located in Science and Data / Chesapeake Bay Program

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