Posts: 507
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You must have Flash 7 to view the videos (most do already)
http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/play_flash.asp?clip=481
Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of an International Muskellunge Management Strategy for the Upper St. Lawrence River
John M. Farrell Rodger M. Klindt, Steven R. LaPan, Albert Schiavone and John M. Casselman
The muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) fishery in the St. Lawrence River declined significantly from historical levels and reached critically low levels during the mid 1970s through the 1980s. Over exploitation caused by liberal angling regulations, and loss and alteration of critical spawning and nursery habitat likely contributed to this decline. In 1980, a St. Lawrence River Muskellunge Management Work Group, composed of resource managers and advisors including E. J. Crossman, to whom this symposium is dedicated, was created to address research and management needs. A trophy muskellunge management strategy was implemented including more restrictive harvest regulations, public education promoting catch and release, and protection of spawning and nursery habitats. Age and growth information obtained from cleithra analysis indicated the need for increased size limits to adequately protect spawning stocks. Research efforts have developed a biological information base and monitoring tools to guide management decisions and evaluate responses to these actions. Nearly 100 spawning and nursery locations have been identified in US and Canadian waters leading to improved protection of critical habitats. An angler diary program shows a decline in the number of fish being harvested and a local muskellunge release award program has logged over 500 releases of fish at least 44 since 1987. Adult muskellunge monitoring in twelve spawning areas indicates an increase in mean total length of nearly three inches following regulation changes. Monitoring of age-0 muskellunge catch-per-effort with seining surveys (1983-84, 1987-2004) indicates improved reproductive success with several apparent strong year-classes. Progressive management actions, a united community response, and possible links with recent declines in northern pike are attributed to the improvements in the muskellunge population and fishery |
