Structural improvement in fish habitat for sport fisheries - problems and approaches

Abstract

Habitat manipulation is not new to fisheries science since it forms the basis of commercial fish farming. The widespread application of habitat manipulation techniques to wild fish populations under natural conditions is relatively new to North America. The current emphasis of habitat improvement for purposes of providing the habitat of fish stocks preferred by man in a location amenable to his use will not change in the foreseeable future. Alberta's BUCK FOR WILDLIFE program currently stresses this approach. The revenues to support the program are derived from fishing licence fees and support a number of projects oriented to the publics participation in the protection or alteration of existing fish habitats or the development of new ones. Revenue expenditures and program benefits are extended by using services freely provided by other agencies or groups beside the tax deduction benefits of donations to the WILDLIFE HABITAT TRUST FUND. The program is not without its problems but the challenge which confronts habitat improvement programs is maintenance of public involvement at the same time as endeavoring to stimulate non-funded work by program example. The basic needs of wildlife are essentially the same as those of man. Most. species of wildlife are products of a clean, fertile, and productive environment. They must have adequate food, clean water and protection from the elements to survive. So must man. Wildlife needs variety in its HABITAT in order to exist. So too, does man, but perhaps on a larger scale. The lands and waters that produce these commodities also harbor the bulk of our wildlife, and their capacity to support fish, birds and mammals is a good indicator of their capacity for meeting the basic needs of man. (Wildlife: The Environmental Barometer, Wildlife Management Institute). © 1982 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.