FISHERIES

Fisheries Programming Goal

ACA will strive to provide leadership in developing accountable and scientifically credible fish conservation programs that will positively influence fisheries management and conservation in Alberta.

ACA Fisheries Program Priorities 2003-2006

Fish Populations, Trends and Status	Sport Fish Harvest and Angling Effort
Effective resource management depends on the availability of timely and accurate information regarding status and trends over time. Currently, a comprehensive process that enables biologists to determine the condition of populations does not exist for all situations and species, especially non-sport fish species. It is necessary to develop and implement such a process.	Fish harvest and fishing effort are key management parameters that can be manipulated to ensure sustainable use of fish stocks. Some sport fish in Alberta, such as walleye and pike, have new management strategies that require specific data collection and analysis. Management plans for other species need to be developed or revised. The execution and revision of management strategies depends on timely and accurate data.
Cumulative Effects	Fish Habitat Status and Change
The total influence of all human activities on aquatic ecosystems may exceed the "sum of their parts." In order to protect the basic elements of aquatic systems and ensure their sustainability, it is vitally important to understand the multiplicative effect of human activities on aquatic systems.	The condition of fish populations must be related to the status of the habitats that support them, so that habitat and fish management occurs in a synergistic and effective manner. As with fish populations, a process needs to be developed and implemented in support of this need.

Detailed descriptions of ACA Fisheries Programs are included in the "Current Projects" section of this website. Search for the keyword fish, or search for the project by title or business area.

For more information on the Goals and Strategies of the ACA Fisheries Team for 2005-2008, download a copy of the ACA's Strategic Business Plan.