Beyond the Bashing: Building Constraints in Hatchery-Based Recreational Fisheries, Considering Fish Health and Genetic Impact

For decades, hatchery-reared fish have been introduced to ecosystems.  While this was often done with good intentions driven by angler and stakeholder interest, it was also done in the absence of critical biological and ecological understanding. Introductions rarely considered impacts of fish health or genetic introgression, largely because these impacts were not well known.  In order to continue to act in good will in an era of emerging data, hatchery systems must now consider ecological impacts along with angler interest.  However, such impacts may introduce constraints to traditional hatchery and stocking practices, which can clash with agency objectives.  The Virginia Department of Game an Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) has begun an intensive effort to develop constraints in their cold- and warm-water hatchery rearing and stocking program based on fish disease surveillance and distribution, along with genetic integrity.  We discuss a four-tiered protocol for introducing and assessing this program with the VDGIF and our partners, and expand on some successes and pitfalls. Early results suggest that we can meet fish production goals, while aiming to limit ecological impacts.