Managing inherent complexity for sustainable walleye fisheries in Lake Erie

By: , and 
Edited by: William W. TaylorAbigail J. Lynch, and Nancy J. Léonard

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Abstract

In Lake Erie, Walleye (Sander vitreus vitreus) is king. The naturally occurring species is the foundation of commercial fishing operations on the Canadian side of the lake and is a much-prized sport fish on the American side. Management of Lake Erie walleye fisheries is complex and takes place in an inter-jurisdictional setting composed of resource agencies from the states of Michigan (MDNR), Ohio (ODNR), Pennsylvania (PFBC), and New York (NYDEC) and the province of Ontario (OMNR). The complexity of walleye management is exacerbated by interactions among environmental and ecological changes in Lake Erie, complex life-history characteristics of the species, public demand for walleye, and cultural/governance differences among managing groups and their respective constituents. Success of future management strategies will largely hinge upon our ability to understand these inherent complexities and to employ tactics that successfully accommodate stock productivity and human demand in a highly dynamic environment. In this report, we review the history of Lake Erie walleye management, outline the multi-jurisdictional process for international management of walleye, and discuss strategies to address challenges facing managers.

Publication type Book chapter
Title Managing inherent complexity for sustainable walleye fisheries in Lake Erie
Year Published 2012
Language English
Publisher Michigan State University Press
Publisher location East Lansing, MI
Contributing office(s) Great Lakes Science Center
Description 20 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Title Great Lakes fisheries policy and management: A binational perspective
First page 475
Last page 494
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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