Wild Refuges to Save Native Fish: A Complicated Issue
A rare Maine Arctic charr. (Bob Mallard)
“What should the criteria be for determining what should be done, when, and where? Who should define these criteria? Should the rules be the same for life history strategies, strains, subspecies, and species?”
NFC Executive Director Bob Mallard chimes in on MidCurrent in regard to so-called “Wild Refuges” used for at-risk fish. More natural than conservation hatcheries, these natural surrogate waters are not without their own risks. And the biggest risk of all could be government agencies misusing them.
Bob does not claim to have all the answers in regard to wild refuges, nor should anyone else, as it’s just not that simple. This needs to be looked at on a case-by-case basis, with everyone willing to listen and concede ground when concession is prudent and needed.
“Sacrificing native species, figuratively as we can’t predict the outcome, to save what would be a nonnative fish just didn’t feel right.”
Special thanks to MidCurrent and Epic Fly Rods for making this article possible, and for helping to give voice to our wild native fish.
