Lake Trout Suppression in Yellowstone Lake: Science Review Panel. Interim Scientific Assessment, 2014 Performance Year. A Report to the Superintendent.
Gresswell RE, Guy CS, Hansen MJ, Jones ML, Marsden JE, Martinez PJ, Syslo JM. 2015. Lake Trout Suppression in Yellowstone Lake: Science Review Panel. Interim Scientific Assessment, 2014 Performance Year. A Report to the Superintendent.. YCR–2015–04. National Park Service, Yellowstone Center for Resources. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
INTRODUCTION In an effort to restore native Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri) to their ecological prominence in Yellowstone Lake, nonnative lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) have been actively suppressed by the National Park Service since 1996. Gill nets have been the primary tool for capturing lake trout, and up to 20 kilometers of gill nets may be used at any time. By 2015, more than 1.7 million lake trout had been removed. Models based on removal estimates suggest lake trout abundance began to decline in 2012, but the number of lake trout caught annually remains high (≈300,000 in 2012-2014). Monitoring suggests a positive response by Yellowstone cutthroat trout in response to declines in lake trout abundance. Following a recommendation of a Scientific Review Panel in 2011, the National Park Service initiated a science review team that would meet annually to evaluate results from the previous year and review plans for the upcoming year. The Interim Science Assessment Panel was meant to compliment, not replace, the less frequent Science Panel reviews (2008 and 2011). At the same time, the team was to provide review and input concerning suppression activities, not to approve or disapprove of those activities. The Interim Science Assessment Panel met in May 2015 to evaluate 2014 activities and provide feedback concerning future plans for the suppression program. WORKSHOP GOAL The workshop goal is to evaluate 2014 activities and provide feedback regarding plans for the 2016 field season. DELIVERABLE The key product will be a report to the Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park, to be completed by July 15, 2015.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Gresswell, R; Guy, C; Hansen, M; Jones, M; Marsden, J; Martinez, P; Syslo, J
- Date of Issue
- 2015
- Publisher
- National Park Service, Yellowstone Center for Resources
- Units
- GRYN , YELL
- Keywords
- alternative suppression, fisheries, lake trout, nonnative, Yellowstone cutthroat trout, Yellowstone lake