CSU Fisheries Ecology Laboratory
Illegal stocking of sport fish: impacts and interdiction

Photo:Bill Pate

Collaborators
Patrick Martinez, Colorado Division of Wildlife
Illegal Stocking Task Force (Craig Amadio (WyG&F), Chair; Harry Crockett, (CDOW); Brett Johnson (CSU); Darren Rhea (WyG&F)), Colorado-Wyoming Chapter of the American Fisheries Society

Background/Rationale

Illegal stocking, which I consider to be the intentional, unauthorized release of aquatic animals, is a major pathway of range expansion for nonnative fauna. In many cases these introductions are threatening native species and ruining existing sport fisheries, but these impacts are readily preventable. Illegal stocking is a global phenomenon and yet there appears to be very little cooperation and collaboration among jurisdictions to find ways to stop it.

Project Goals

• Increase awareness of the magnitude and severity of illegal stocking problem among agencies, the legal system, and the public.
• Educate stakeholders about ways to curb illegal stocking.
• Urge resource management authorities to adopt more effective policies to curb illegal stocking.
• Provide a means for management authorities worldwide to collaborate and share information about illegal stocking.

Products to date

1. Johnson, B.M., R. Arlinghaus, and P.J. Martinez. 2009. Are we doing all we can to stem the tide of illegal fish stocking? Fisheries 34(8): 389-394. [PDF]
2. Johnson, B.M. 2009. Illegal Stocking of Aquatic Organisms. Colorado-Wyoming Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, http://StopStocking.cowyafs.org/ (March 3, 2009).
3. Johnson, B.M., J.M. Butteris, C. M. Clapp, S. D. Cossey, C. C. Deguelle, M. J. Dodrill, R. E. Dritz, D. A. Falconi, R. T. Fortier, T. L. Goodin, A. G. Hansen, E. A. Heinzmann, D. A. Herasimtschuk, A. R. Koch, L. J. Marsh, M. M. McGree, K. M. Miller, S. R. Murdoch, D. T. Norcross, A. L. Nowakowski, E. C. Smith, S. G. Stiffler, Z. A. Sutphin, A. L. Thompson, D. W. Tuttle, and L. J. Young.  2009. Environmental Impact Analysis: Effects of an anticipated illegal introduction of walleye into Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado.  Unpublished technical report, 45 pages. [PDF]
4. Johnson, B. M., D. K. Gibson-Reinemer, P. J. Martinez, and D. Winkelman. 2007. Forensic applications of otolith microchemistry for tracking sources of illegally stocked whirling disease positive trout. Final report, Whirling Disease Initiative, Bozeman, MT, 55 pages. [PDF]

Dr. Brett M. Johnson
Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology
1474 Campus Delivery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1474
voice: 970-491-5002, fax: 970-491-5091
email: brett.johnson"at"colostate.edu

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