06-25-2015, 04:33 PM
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]The reason for this rule and other similar rules that prohibit the transportation and use of live baitfish, gamefish and other related critters such as mussels is the widespread release of these critters into our fisheries. I agree that laws don't stop the people who are hell bent on breaking the law but it does keep the folks who might be on the fence and especially the folks who are law abiding folks but need educated from making bad decisions. Below I provided a little information about our problem in Utah and a few bits from other states in the west.[/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]• Treatments to kill fish can be extremely expensive. In recentdecades, the Division has spent more than $4 million to treat StrawberryReservoir, Scofield Reservoir, Panguitch Lake and other fisheries. The moneyspent on the treatments could have been used to improve fishing in other areasand to raise more fish in state hatcheries. This fall we will chemically treat Gunlock and Red Fleet Reservoir to remove illegally introduced game fish. We just recently had an confirmed report of walleye in Steinaker and Big Sandwash in the Vernal area as well as an unconfirmed report of northern pike in the Flaming Gorge.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]• After a treatment project happens, it takes a few yearsbefore fishing is good again at the water that was treated. Anglers who enjoyedfishing at that water will have to go elsewhere for a few years. It costs moreto raise hatchery fish to a size where they can compete with some illegallyintroduced fish if it's not treated. Higher costs reduce the number of fish the Division can stock,which also reduces opportunity for anglers.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]• Illegal fish stocking can hurt threatened and endangeredfish in the state.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]• Those who own businesses near an affected body of watercan lose revenue.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]How big is theproblem?[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]Utah has confirmed more than 50 illegal introductions since2000. Some of the animals are fish, while others are mussels, bullfrogs andunwanted aquarium pets. Many illegal introductions can remain undetected foryears, which makes it difficult to identify and stop the perpetrator.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]What steps has Utahtaken to combat this issue?[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]Utah has worked consistently with other state and federalnatural resource agencies to increase awareness of this issue throughout thewest and specifically in Utah. Utah alsoworks extensively with the TV and written press to ensure the public iscontinually exposed and educated about illegal fish introductions. Lastly Utah has a pretty rigid response toillegal sportfish introductions. Utahimmediately recommends a “catch and kill” regulation be put on the illegallymoved fish on the water that it was moved into. This regulation has the following stipulations: 1. There is no limit 2. All fish that are caught must be kept 3. Allfish must be immediately killed. Utahhas also considered “no harvest” regulations as well. Lastly Utah continues to chemically treatreservoirs as quickly as possible after confirming an illegal fish introductionhas taken place. [/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]Some of our neighborshave larger problems:[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]• Montana wildlife officials recently confirmed that theyhave had more than 500 illegal introductions the bulk of these introductions are sport and bait fish.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]• In Washington state, biologists estimate that pet ownersannually release up 21,000 aquarium fish into the Puget Sound area.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]• Washington biologists also estimate that 58 percent of theaquarium fish sold could have a serious impact on native ecosystems.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]• British Columbia has more than 200 waters that havesuffered from illegal introductions. Utah’s fisheries biologists want to avoidsituations like these and need your help to treat this problem as aggressivelyas possible.[/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]I hope this help folks understand these types of rules a little better.[/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]Drew[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[signature]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]The reason for this rule and other similar rules that prohibit the transportation and use of live baitfish, gamefish and other related critters such as mussels is the widespread release of these critters into our fisheries. I agree that laws don't stop the people who are hell bent on breaking the law but it does keep the folks who might be on the fence and especially the folks who are law abiding folks but need educated from making bad decisions. Below I provided a little information about our problem in Utah and a few bits from other states in the west.[/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]• Treatments to kill fish can be extremely expensive. In recentdecades, the Division has spent more than $4 million to treat StrawberryReservoir, Scofield Reservoir, Panguitch Lake and other fisheries. The moneyspent on the treatments could have been used to improve fishing in other areasand to raise more fish in state hatcheries. This fall we will chemically treat Gunlock and Red Fleet Reservoir to remove illegally introduced game fish. We just recently had an confirmed report of walleye in Steinaker and Big Sandwash in the Vernal area as well as an unconfirmed report of northern pike in the Flaming Gorge.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]• After a treatment project happens, it takes a few yearsbefore fishing is good again at the water that was treated. Anglers who enjoyedfishing at that water will have to go elsewhere for a few years. It costs moreto raise hatchery fish to a size where they can compete with some illegallyintroduced fish if it's not treated. Higher costs reduce the number of fish the Division can stock,which also reduces opportunity for anglers.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]• Illegal fish stocking can hurt threatened and endangeredfish in the state.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]• Those who own businesses near an affected body of watercan lose revenue.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]How big is theproblem?[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]Utah has confirmed more than 50 illegal introductions since2000. Some of the animals are fish, while others are mussels, bullfrogs andunwanted aquarium pets. Many illegal introductions can remain undetected foryears, which makes it difficult to identify and stop the perpetrator.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]What steps has Utahtaken to combat this issue?[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]Utah has worked consistently with other state and federalnatural resource agencies to increase awareness of this issue throughout thewest and specifically in Utah. Utah alsoworks extensively with the TV and written press to ensure the public iscontinually exposed and educated about illegal fish introductions. Lastly Utah has a pretty rigid response toillegal sportfish introductions. Utahimmediately recommends a “catch and kill” regulation be put on the illegallymoved fish on the water that it was moved into. This regulation has the following stipulations: 1. There is no limit 2. All fish that are caught must be kept 3. Allfish must be immediately killed. Utahhas also considered “no harvest” regulations as well. Lastly Utah continues to chemically treatreservoirs as quickly as possible after confirming an illegal fish introductionhas taken place. [/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]Some of our neighborshave larger problems:[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]• Montana wildlife officials recently confirmed that theyhave had more than 500 illegal introductions the bulk of these introductions are sport and bait fish.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]• In Washington state, biologists estimate that pet ownersannually release up 21,000 aquarium fish into the Puget Sound area.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]• Washington biologists also estimate that 58 percent of theaquarium fish sold could have a serious impact on native ecosystems.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]• British Columbia has more than 200 waters that havesuffered from illegal introductions. Utah’s fisheries biologists want to avoidsituations like these and need your help to treat this problem as aggressivelyas possible.[/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]I hope this help folks understand these types of rules a little better.[/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]Drew[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[signature]