7 replies to this topic

[Polarized Eyes]

Saw this ad in the new 2012 regulations book and thought I'd post it to the site to see if anyone was interested, and if anyone can see any cons to participating in such a survey (such as the potential of spot burning).

The Brook Trout Pond Survey Project

The Brook Trout Pond Survey Project is a collaborative effort by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW), Maine Council of Trout Unlimited (METU), and Maine Audubon (MA). The goal is to recruit volunteers to identify previously-undocumented wild brook trout populations in remote Maine ponds. Maine brook trout are a special resource, and we need to know where they are before we can protect and manage them appropriately. The information collected by volunteer anglers will help inform future fisheries management decisions.

http://www.tumaine.org/brooktrout.htm

[Capt. Ahab]

One major "con" I could see happening would pertain to a native pond that is entirely accessible, but mostly unknown. If the powers that be decide to "market" the pond to the public and begin stocking the pond with Maine's manipulated genetic brookies, that would be a net loss in my eyes. In reality, they could accidentally stock the native pond without knowing that it was the incorrect pond alotted for stocking. So there's no guarantee either way. Not that such a mistake is common, but it has happened before.

Point being that some secrets are worth keeping.

[Russ]

I'm signed up to help. It's a worthy project.

[Polarized Eyes]

I'm signed up to help. It's a worthy project.

Spot burner! jk

[Swede]

You can't protect it unless you know what you have. I think that this project will go a long way towards habitat conservation.

[fishn_guy]

Sounds like a spot burning project.

[ebud]

Pro:Pond info is made available to Maine IF&W and as a result they can monitor and care for the fishery and protect the wild brook trout strain.

Con: May be the Audubon could publish a Maine Wild Brook Trout book with the findings, listing the name of ponds, GPS coordinates with map inserts.
Your favorite jewel of a remote trout pond may be listed.

Ray

[Swede]

Personally, I would choose to take my chances with a book being published, if it decreased the chances of habitat being degraded by development - i.e Plum Creek.