I see what you are saying, but I don’t feel like you really read Karl’s response. Even if they aren’t increasing the population, they are learning more about trout. And sure mother nature will balance things out, but she may not have had a chance to account for population explosions at the coast and tons of boats equipped with new gear and electronics. Those things happen on a scale of decades, not the thousands of years (or more) that are often necessary for a species to evolve. That’s why I don’t have any problem with forward thinking management (as opposed to shutdowns).
I understood all that from Karl’s post. I have no problem with the program as is. The issue was originally stocking for enhancement because of recent decline. As Karl stated that’s not what is going on.
I still don’t think the answer to the extra stress on fish populations you mentioned, is a stocking program. Historically, that degrades into a put and take fishery.
To me, the only truly successful stocking program would be one that quickly renders itself no longer necessary.
wow Karl, What a thorough answer. thanks for again taking the time to answer my question. I am going to give you a call sometime soon as i would love to come check things out.
I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
What a great thread!
So, to answer your question Islander, yes I have considered “… the decline caused by 2 cold winters will have balanced out naturally”, but I doubt those populations would be back to what they were 10 or 20 years ago. I do agree with this though, “truly successful stocking program would be one that quickly renders itself no longer necessary”. That’s cause to celebrate!
Then you say these kinds of things “Historically, that degrades into a put and take fishery” after you supposedly understood what Karl said, and I lose all hope in mankind all over again. You didn’t understand, my friend. Sorry.
I don’t disagree with you about a successful stocking program rendering itself unnecessary to supplement the population. Just pointing out that we aren’t talking about stocking programs here, but stock enhancement research programs. I think we are in agreement that a stock enhancement research program is a good tool to learn more about the fishery. Red drum certainly haven’t degraded into a put and take fishery and they’ve been stocked for 10+ years.
We are definitely in agreement . Enhancement meaning long term knowledge and direction, not immediate numbers of fish. I am sure we agree that the causes of a declining fish population (over fishing, loss of habitat and water quality, etc.) have to be addressed and corrected for a fishery to recover. That’s where I think the greatest efforts should be focused. Short term fluctuations in numbers, like those caused by a couple of cold winters, are natural and have negligible effect if the fishery is otherwise healthy.
The SCDNR has no control over development or water quality issues that arise from the growing human populations along the coast. All we can do is try to provide those who do have control of these things with the best information available about the impacts on wildlife populations. And don’t underestimate the damage that can be caused to a population by winter kills, especially if we happen to get a few in a row. It can lead to a loss of genetic diversity that may make it difficult for the species to adapt to other environmental challenges. While the fluctuations with trout may be cyclical, what we’re seeing is a smaller and smaller peak over time.
While I agree with your basic sentiments, Islander, I think different situations require different levels of stock enhancement. For example the striped bass fishery in South Carolina’s lakes is put and take. It brings in millions of dollars to the state economy every year. It’s one of the oldest and most respected stocking programs in the country. I don’t think it’s wise to make blanket statements about how these programs should or shouldn’t be used. Each species is different. Each estuary is different. When problems arise, the more tools that managers have in their toolbox to deal with it, the better the outcomes are likely to be.
No problem, it’s good conversation. You guys are all savvy enough to ask the right questions and it gives me a chance to do some public outreach and update you on our programs. Check out the SCDNR site on Facebook for updates.