Open Forum Discussion: The Future of Walleye Research and Needs for Management

Walleye is one of the most widely-distributed freshwater fish species in North America, and is sought as a tasty food, both commercially and recreationally, consequently generating huge economic benefits across the U.S. and Canada. As a result, there has been a prolific amount of scientific and popular articles written about walleye. Despite the vast amount of information we have on walleye, there is a need to expand research in some areas, and also look for new topics that need to be addressed. In an open forum at the end of the symposium, we hope to stimulate some discussion on future research needs for this valuable species. In particular, some possible topics for discussion are:

• Developing criteria for certifying walleye fisheries as sustainable, along the lines of the Marine Stewardship Council, coffee producers, etc. This can clearly have economic and biological benefits.
• Better understanding of community dynamics in walleye communities, or, using one of Peter Colby’s favourite sayings “who’s doing what to whom?” Energy flow can be quite different depending on the complexity of the species composition. The ability of a species to compensate and respond to biotic and abiotic changes can be quite different in a simple versus complex community.
• Should we be looking more at impacts to the endocrine system? The widespread and increasing use of manufactured chemicals both at home and industry results in long-term and insidious impacts on the aquatic ecosystem. What are the dangers and potential impacts on walleye?
• Are we happy with the parameters we use to characterize angling fisheries and their impacts? Are CUE and HUE adequate? Are we matching regulations to the ecosystem’s ability to compensate and sustain management objectives? Are regulations an effective tool for managing populations?
• Considering climate change and other potential long-term impacts, should we be making better use of such metrics as Growing Degree Days and Accumulated Growing Degree Days? How do we measure long-term climatic changes?