You're in Native Trout Country! Native Trout Recovery in Alberta ► by Ariana Tourneur
Healthy native trout populations signify several things we should all care about: clean water, wilderness, healthy ecosystems, and good recreational opportunities. Unfortunately, Alberta’s native trout are in trouble, and have been for a while. That’s where the Native Trout Recovery Program comes in. It focuses on Alberta’s eastern slopes and is working to protect our province’s native fish populations. The main threats aren’t small issues: habitat damage and loss, poaching, improper fish handling during catch and release, and hybridization and competition with non-native trout. To address these complex challenges, Alberta Environment and Parks has teamed up with partner organizations that have expertise in fish habitat protection and restoration, as well as watershed planning.
These partner organizations include: • • • •
Alberta Conservation Association Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society Cows and Fish Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) • Foothills Research Institute • Trout Unlimited Canada • Watershed planning and advisory councils The organizations all work together to maintain and improve natural watershed functions to support native trout species. For more information, search “native trout” on www.alberta.ca.
Watch for signs like this to let you know when you're in sensitive fish habitat.
photo: Ryan Witteman
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CONSERVATION MAGAZINE
SPRING SUMMER 2021
