Overview

Native trout populations across the East Slopes of Alberta have experienced severe declines in population size and distribution. The Government of Alberta is focused on ensuring progress is made towards recovering these species by addressing key threats on the ground.

The Native Trout Recovery Program is designed to meet the following goals:

  • Provide a comprehensive, consistent and progressive framework towards fish species recovery in the province
  • Facilitate cross-ministry and stakeholder partnerships on fish recovery strategies

Coordinated initiatives related to native trout recovery include:

  • Alberta's Native Trout Recovery Program
  • Alberta's Watercourse Crossing Remediation Initiative
  • Fish habitat improvements and protection
  • Whirling Disease detection, education and mitigation strategies

Legislative mandate

The guiding legislation for the Native Trout Recovery Program includes:

Provincial

Federal

Partnerships and collaboration

The Native Trout Recovery Program is being implemented with the help of partners who have expertise in watershed management, including habitat restoration, riparian area protection and fisheries improvements. Through collaboration with stakeholders, natural watershed functions are being improved and sustained in order to support recovery of native trout species. Current program partners include:

Native trout recovery initiatives

Fish habitat improvement and protection

Improving fish habitat is an important component of native trout recovery. In addition to habitat work being completed under the Native Trout Recovery Programs, the Government of Alberta has a number of habitat restoration and enhancement initiatives that are resulting in tangible fish habitat improvements, including the following programs:

Fish habitat improvement and protection strategies are also included within the delivery of recreation programs on Public Land.

Native Trout Recovery Program

Alberta’s Native Trout Recovery Program is aimed at recovering and assessing fish species populations in the watersheds of the Eastern Slopes Fish Management Zone, including of:

  • Arctic grayling
  • Athabasca rainbow trout
  • bull trout
  • mountain whitefish
  • westslope trout

The Native Trout Recovery Program is an effort to reover the species through:

  • understanding the threats to their survival
  • co-ordinated action
  • the support of stakeholders, the public and multiple levels of government

For more details see: Native Trout Recovery Program.

Watercourse Crossing Remediation Initiative

The Watercourse Crossing Remediation Initiative empowers crossing owners across various sectors, such as forestry and oil and gas, to self-inspect and remediate crossings in priority order where fish passage is impaired or impeded.

This initiative addresses fish habitat needs through the implementation of the Watercourse Crossing Remediation Directive. The purpose of the directive is to:

  • protect or restore fish habitat through effective stream crossing practices; and
  • promote and support a watershed-based approach to efficient, collaborative watercourse crossing inspection, monitoring, management, and remediation.

To review information specific to this program, see: Watercourse Crossing Program.

Whirling disease detection, education and mitigation strategies

Whirling disease affects salmonid fish including trout, salmon and whitefish. It has recently been found in Alberta. This disease, caused by a parasite which can affect nerves and cause cartilage damage, can cause high levels of mortality in some fish, but it is not known how it will impact Alberta fish populations.

A 3-point action plan has been developed that includes:

  • Detection and delineation
  • Education
  • Mitigation

To review information specific to this program, visit: Whirling disease.

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