FRESHWATER FISHES
E. J. Crossman and E. Holm
OBSTACLES TO EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND PROGRAMS
High revenue of the wild bait fishery, the commercial aquarium trade, and the importation of live non-native species for food create severe problems in regard to management and spread of non-native species. Non-native applies to exotic species (from other countries) and to cross watershed introductions of "native" species.
The Drainage Act can provide problems in regard to maintaining or restoring habitat for native species. Expansion of urban development almost always leads to changes in standing and flowing waters which are incompatible with maintenance of habitat for native species. For example draining, clearing riparian vegetation, silting and loss of gravel, straightening streams, loss of instream vegetation, etc.
The important protection provided by various clauses of the existing Fisheries Act may be affected by protracted deliberations on transfer of responsibility for inland waters resulting from reorganization of federal departments, and transfer from federal to provincial jurisdiction.