Fri, March 10, 2017 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS RESEARCH LABORATORY (AERL). Speaker: Brett Van Poorten
Aquatic Scientist; Applied Freshwater Ecology Research Unit, BC Ministry of Environment
Recreational fishing is a pastime enjoyed in much of the world. The perception that the impact of a few anglers on an entire fish population or species often leads to substantial harvest allocation being given to recreational fisheries, which in turn often leads to substantial economic benefits. However, recreational fisheries may not be as simple and benign as some may believe. The underlying complexity in the interaction between recreational fishers (anglers) and fish populations may serve to make these social-ecological systems very difficult to effectively manage and conserve. For example, fish populations structure themselves in a way that naturally reduces catch rates and angler satisfaction. Moreover, anglers are incredibly diverse in their motivations and attributes, which leads to substantial difficulty in predicting how fishing pressure will impact single fisheries or landscapes of fisheries. I will discuss the source of several of these complexities as I have seen them and provide suggestions for how to move forward.
Brett van Poorten is an aquatic scientist with the British Columbia Ministry of Environment, based out of the IOF (within the Applied Freshwater Ecology Research Unit). He received his PhD from the UBC Fisheries Centre in 2012. Although he now spends nearly every waking hour in front of a computer, he has extensive field experience from all over Canada. His research focus broadly covers the conservation of freshwater fish species, with a special focus on recreational fisheries impacts and management. He lives in Vancouver with his wife and two kids.
Location: AERL 120
Invited speakers present the latest research in a wide range of disciplines related to freshwater systems, the oceans and fisheries. These seminars draw a diverse audience, leading to thought-provoking discussions and a sharing of new ideas and perspectives.