Scribd
Upload
134 views3 pages

Memo

Trout poaching has increased as interest in trout fishing has grown, negatively impacting trout populations. The memo recommends that Trout Unlimited generate public awareness of poaching and the regulations around trout fishing. It also suggests advocating for increased regulations, such as longer catch-and-keep periods and more waterway monitoring, to discourage illegal poaching and protect trout.

Uploaded by

api-549082571
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
134 views3 pages

Memo

Trout poaching has increased as interest in trout fishing has grown, negatively impacting trout populations. The memo recommends that Trout Unlimited generate public awareness of poaching and the regulations around trout fishing. It also suggests advocating for increased regulations, such as longer catch-and-keep periods and more waterway monitoring, to discourage illegal poaching and protect trout.

Uploaded by

api-549082571
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Date: 14 April 2021

To: Trout Unlimited Conservation


From: [email protected]
Subject: Impacts of Trout Poaching
Action Required: Generate Awareness and Regulations
Distribution: Trout Unlimited Conservation, Media

Good morning,

I am writing this memo to address an issue that should be addressed. Trout poaching is
an issue that has become more pressing in recent years. As interest in trout fishing has
increased, so has the amount of poaching. This complex issue must be solved as soon
as possible. If possible, this information should be included in your work if possible in
order to raise awareness of this issue.

Summary

Trout poaching is the illegal fishing of trout through either use of illegal baits or capture
outside of the allowed dates. Since stocking began, this has been a widespread issue in
North America. In most stocked streams, only fly fishing is allowed. Many people will
access these streams and use prohibited treble hooks. Use of these hooks can cause
injury and unnecessary stress for the trout. This is an all too common sight on trout
streams and it needs to be alleviated for the health of the fish. Additionally, poaching
can occur through illegal capture of the trout outside of the regulated catch-and-keep
dates. This practice decreases the already sensitive trout populations and generates
even more stress for nearby fish, ultimately impacting the overall health of an entire
area. Discourage use of these practices in the near future when creating media that will
be seen by the general public. Additionally, try to include steps to take if these practices
are observed in person.

Proper Handling of Trout Using Unrestricted Bait

Potential Solutions to Illegal Trout Poaching


Generating Awareness

Public awareness on the topic of poaching is not as high as it should be. Those who
poach naturally do so in secret and tend to not do so in streams that receive lots of
fishing pressure. As a result, those who fish more casually are not as aware that its
happening. Additionally, some of the areas marked as single-hook only are not clearly
marked and the information is not easily accessible nor understood. This information
could be more easily attainable through a constantly updating article regarding the
regulations governing different bodies of water. Poaching continues to affect all who fish
through either decreased fish activity or damaged ecosystems and diminished
populations of trout. Trout Unlimited should focus on generating awareness of this
practice and strive to discourage it as best possible.

Increased Regulations

Trout populations are largely governed by the effectiveness of the regulations


surrounding them in many areas of the country. Because they are stocked and not
always native, the only consistent predators that all trout see are humans. As a result,
regulations should be adjusted to decrease the likelihood of poaching occurring. The
catch-and-keep period of the year should be slightly increased to allow for more
regulated capture to occur, thereby decreasing the likelihood of high amounts of illegal
activity outside of these dates. Additionally, the access points for stocked streams
should be monitored more closely by DNR officers, park rangers, and local police. This
will decrease the potential for poaching by decreasing the number of areas that
poachers will be able to capture the trout and having more patrols available watching for
illegal activity on the water.

North Carolina Catch-and-Release Only Sign

Conclusion
Given the immense nationwide popularity of Trout Unlimited in North America, it is the
best medium of addressing the poaching of trout and pushing for necessary changes in
this field. Trout Unlimited was founded with a vision of wildlife conservation for the future
and continues to positively impact the country as a whole. Poaching is a consistent
issue through the years and affects the entire fish populations of trout through increased
stress and decreased populations. As the trout are stocked in these locations, it is our
duty to preserve their natural lives as best possible.

Recommendations

I believe the best methods of addressing this issue would be through generating
awareness of the issue and of regulations as well as pushing for increased regulations
and patrols on the concerning bodies of water. I recommend these options be
considered in depth on a short and long term basis before any approval or decision is
made.

References

“Poaching.” Fish, Game, Fishing, and Hunting - JRank Articles, 2018,


law.jrank.org/pages/9236/Poaching.html#:%7E:text=The%20illegal%20shooting%2C%20trapping
%2C%20or,from%20private%20or%20public%20property.&text=In%20the%20early%201900s%
2C%20the,the%20fish%20and%20game%20populations.

“The Devastating Consequences of Wildlife Poaching.” Greentumble, 5 Dec. 2020, greentumble.com/the-


devastating-consequences-of-wildlife-poaching.

You might also like