Invasive Species Council of British Columbia

Webinar Now Available: Balancing Tourism, Angling and Invasive Fish Species in BC

Published: February 16, 2021

Overview: BC is a popular angling hotspot attracting recreational tourists from the province and beyond. Our native sport species, specifically salmon and trout, attract anglers from around the world. Unfortunately invasive fish species such as bass have ended up in some of BC’s fishing spots and are also attracting sport anglers. This webinar discussed the increasing popularity of some invasive fish for angling in BC and the related impacts on native species.

Invasive fish are becoming more common due to intentional, illegal introduction that aim to promote these species as a sportfish, as well as unintentional illegal introduction through aquarium releases and boating. Non-native fish that are being introduced intentionally as sportfishing opportunities include Small and Large mouth bass, Brook trout and Brown trout, and their impacts on native species and ecosystems can be severe. Finding a balance between angling tourism and fishing for invasive species is not a new discussion, however its importance is becoming increasingly apparent as our climate and our needs shift.

Presenter bio: Gillian Steele is an avid angler who has spent her lifetime pursuing British Columbia’s vast array of fish species in both salt and freshwater. Gill has worked at her family-run tackle shop in North Vancouver since she was young and has always had a passion for helping others in their fishing adventures. As an angler, she has encountered many invasive species in her trips as well as seen the extent of their spread throughout the province. Gill is a Director for the Steelhead Society of British Columbia whose mandate is protecting wild steelhead populations and their river systems in our great province. Gill is also one of the founders of the BC Women’s Fly Fishing Group promoting the networking of female fly-fishers in BC and providing educational content for its members. As a first-year student in the Fish, Wildlife and Recreation program at BCIT, Gill is exploring the world of resource management and the delicate intricacies of human intervention in local ecosystems and its extending impact.

This webinar is now available in the Webinar Gallery.



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