Problems Associated with Fisheries Assessment Methods in the Great Lakes

Abstract

This paper presents a review of Great Lakes fishery assessment problems and addresses the variety of fisheries, the special circumstances created by rehabilitation, the emergence of joint strategic planning among fishery agencies, and convergence of water quality and fishery management. The inferences that emerge are that (1) continuing observation series are essential, (2) the variety of needs calls for a variety of assessment approaches, and (3) assessment objectives need to be clearly defined in order to protect the ongoing monitoring series. It is suggested that more attention should be given to fish community monitoring, to sport fishery statistics, and to gear calibration. On the other hand, improved coordination of human and material resources and focus on integration of water quality and fisheries assessment can achieve much, without great funding increases.