Although strategies to meet most management objectives are
relatively clearcut in single-species catchable trout programs,
strategies become much more complex when two or more species are
involved. A difficult problem that must be faced in evaluating
catchable trout fisheries management strategies is defining management
objectives. One approach to testing alternative management
strategies in complex resource systems, such as catchable trout fisheries,
is systems simulation. A computer-implemented catchable trout
fishery simulator (CATS) was developed to evaluate fishery response
under various management strategies in a multi-species stocking program.
The user of CATS can select alternative management strategies and
functions which generate predictions of fishing pressure on a particular
fishery. To evaluate the effect of each system component, CATS was
exercised over a wide range of potential system component alterations.
Predominant stocking of brook trout appreciably increased average catch
per angler hour and percentage return to creel. Altering the stocking
ratio to favor brown trout substantially increased the number of angler
hours. Stocking predominantly rainbow trout reduced the effects caused
by stocking predominantly brook or brown trout. Estimates of expected
angling pressure ru1d catchability coefficients of each species stocked
are of primary importance because of their considerable effect on other
system components. A user must have a sound objective before deciding
where, when, which species, and how many fish to plant. The primary
utility of CATS is to enable the user to evaluate management strategies
prior to implementation.
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