Rocky Creek Trail Rrosion
Province of Alberta backs out of angling closures.
Trout Unlimited Canada has been supportive of Alberta Environment and Parks’ (AEP) increased efforts towards native trout recovery along Alberta’s Eastern Slopes region. For too long, native, coldwater species have been declining in numbers and range. Westslope Cutthroat Trout are federally listed as Threatened under the Species at Risk Act and both Bull Trout and Athabasca Rainbow Trout are scheduled for listing as Threatened and Endangered, respectively. While biologists have been working on recovery efforts off the corner of their desks for years, only recently has native salmonid recovery become a higher priority.
One of these recovery programs that has received a lot of attention lately is the North Central Native Trout (NCNT) recovery program. Actions proposed under the NCNT program include:
Habitat remediation and/or fishing closures
Mitigation of sediment and phosphorous runoff to improve water quality
Suppression of non-native fish and other aquatic invasive species
While declines in native species have been caused by an array of threats over several decades, it is simply not feasible or realistic to reverse all of the damage all at once. As a result, specific actions were chosen based on available data and cumulative effects analysis, and would be applied on specific waterbodies in the North Saskatchewan, Peace, and Athabasca river basins. Not only does this help focus recovery actions, but provides a unique opportunity to learn whether these actions can make a difference.
A bold but contentious part of the NCNT program, provincial fishery managers proposed temporary angling closures for selected streams. Recently, the Minister of Environment and Parks announced that the proposed angling closures would not take place this year. TUC was surprised by this decision as closing angling where populations of native fish are considered critically imperilled is in line with the precautionary principle and does not diminish or negate the immediate need for action to address other issues.
TUC understands that the existing closure on the upper Pembina River will be maintained and we are supportive of this decision. The upper Pembina River has already been closed to angling for two seasons to help recover Arctic Grayling populations. Since 2011, TUC’s Northern Lights Fly Fishers chapter has invested significant time and funding in partnership with Fisheries Management on understanding and recovering Arctic Grayling in this system. TUC has asked AEP to commit to monitoring and reporting on the results of the closure following the fifth year of the closure.
In her announcement, Minister Phillips also announced that the provincial government will work towards repairing damaged streambanks, improving fish passage, and establishing a citizen science program to engage citizens in monitoring. TUC will continue to work with AEP on these initiatives, such as planned rehabilitation work on Rocky Creek (tributary of the Clearwater River) and Dismal Creek (tributary of the Pembina River).
Despite this recent change to the NCNT program, Trout Unlimited Canada will continue to work with AEP and other conservation partners to conserve and protect these species and the sensitive habitats they inhabit.
For more information or to learn more about upcoming volunteer opportunities contact Lesley Peterson.
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