Great Lakes Reallocate Harvest

FISHERY MANAGEMENT
Climate-driven changes in fish populations and communities will combine with current stresses on species to produce numerous impacts on existing fisheries. Although the commercial fishing sector in the region is relatively small, the recreational fishing sector includes ten million anglers that actively fish in the region and contributes nearly ten billion dollars to local economies. Several changes in human activities that affect fish populations could help protect this resource from the worst impacts of climate change.


Solution strategies:	REALLOCATE HARVEST	MANAGE HABITATS	REDUCE DEAD ZONES
As regional waters warm, local fish species will change. Cool- and even warmwater fish such as small-mouth bass are likely to expand their ranges northward, replacing cold-water species such as trout. Fishers will need to adapt their habits and cultural preferences to avoid over fishing some stocks.