#ConservationThroughAppreciation

“Conservation through Appreciation” is the tagline of Karen Talbot Art, and it is Karen's hope that your Angler’s Pint will provide the time and space for many important discussions about conserving both the species we love and the habitats in which we, as anglers, recreate. This page is dedicated to conservation information and resources about the species featured on Angler’s Pints. At the bottom of the page, you will find links to organizations and agencies which Karen supports and with which she has worked, as well as other useful resources.

Brook Trout

Maine is the last stronghold of wild, native brook trout in the United States. More than 1000 lakes and ponds in the state are designated as principle brook trout fisheries by the Depratment of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. More than a quarter of these have not seen a stocked trout in over a decade and over 300 have never been stocked. Keeping these brook trout populations healthy and genetically pure is in everyone's best interest, but stressors like the use of illegal live bait, habitat degredation, climate change and invasive species introductions are all serious concerns. Over your next craft brew enjoyed from a Brook Trout Angler's Pint, have a discussion about how the state could better manage brook trout and what you can do as an individual to help insure the future of these national treasures.

BROWN TROUT

The Brown Trout is not native to North America. Introductions began in the latter 19th century under the authority of the US government, because of the species status as a gamefish, especially on the fly. Because brown trout are so adaptable, many, if not most, of the introductions resulted in self-sustaining wild populations--often to the detrement of native fishes like brook trout. Like all trout, brown trout are threatened by a host of stressors including habitat degredation and climate change. Over your next craft brew enjoyed from a Brown Trout Angler's Pint, have a discussion about the role of non-native gamefish in terms of both their ability to promote habitat restoration and conservation and the potential damage they cause to native fishes.

Cutthroat Trout

The cutthroat trout is a western species of trout representing many subspecies throughout their native range. Of all the trout in North America, the cutthroat, as a species, is the most at risk owing to a host of stressors including habitat degredation, climate change and competition with non native species like brown, rainbow and brook trout. Many of the gentetically pure sub-species are at risk from interspecific and intraspecific breeding. Most cutthroat trout are also highly susceptible to whirling disease. Prized as a gamefish, anglers and angling-related conservation organizations have played a critical role in conserving the species by protecting headwaters and untertaking restoration work. Over your next craft brew enjoyed from a Cutthroat Trout Angler's Pint, have a discussion about the risks of hybridization to genetically pure sub-species of trout and how you can help make sure that cutthroat trout have access to the cold, clean water in which they thrive.

Rainbow Trout

For many people, rainbow trout are synonomous with trout. Originating from tributaries of the Pacific Ocean, rainbow trout, often hatchery-reared, have been heavily introduced across the US and the world as a gamefish. These introductions, like many introductions of adaptable non-native species, have often been to the detriment of upstream native fishes. Rainbow trout are at risk from habitat degredation, climate change, hybridization and disease. Distinct population segments of one sub-species of rainbow trout (commonly known as steelhead) are listed under the Endangered Species Act. Elsewhere, programs are ongoing to remove non-native populations of rainbow trout from rivers where they threaten native fishes like brook trout. Over your next craft brew enjoyed from a Rainbow Trout Angler's Pint, have a discussion about the role of hatchery-reared fish stocked for recreational purposes.

Chinook Salmon

The Chinook salmon, also commonly called the king salmon, is a keystone species of the Pacific Northwest. Revered by native Americans and, more recently, recreational anglers, the Chinook salmon faces numerous threats including overfishing, changing ocean conditions and dams. The first limited run of Chinook Salmon Angler's Pints was commissioned for the Asheville, NC screening of the The Memory of Fish, a film about a pulp mill worker and angler turned salmon advocate, who uses his memories and persistence to battle for the biggest dam removal project in U.S. history. Over your next beer enjoyed from a Chinook Salmon Angler's Pint, have a discussion about the effects of dams on fishes like the Chinook.

Bluefin Tuna

For recreational saltwater angler's in the Northeast US, there is no experience quite like going after bluefin tuna smashing baitfish on the surface. Unfortunately, due largely to overfishing in commercial fisheries, the species is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. As with many issues surrounding fisheries, there are few clear, black-and-white answers. Should there be a moratorium on bluefin tuna fishing given the conservation status of the species, or can a well-managed fishery support recreational and commercial quotas? Is a bluefin tuna taken on rod-and-reel in the Gulf of Maine and then consumed locally a more sustainable choice than many of the fish for sale in the freezer at the local Big Box store? These are great questions to discuss over your next brew enjoyed in a Bluefin Tuna Angler's Pint.

Yellowfin Tuna

Recreational anglers have been known to say that hooking up with a yellowfin can change one's definition of fishing, but it is a species listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Like the bluefin tuna, the yellowfin tuna is most at risk from commercial fishing, especially in purse-seine fisheries. It is the second most important species of tuna for canning, and while most stocks are, according to a 2011 study, fished sustainably, there remain concerns about overfishing. In part, this may be because of increases in skipjack harvest limits, as skipjack tuna co-shoal with juvenile yelowfin. Seafood Watch lists Western and Central Pacific handline, hand-operated pole-and-lines and trolling lines fisheries as Best Choice.

Striped Bass

Few fishes have drawn as many anglers into a conversation about conservation than the striped bass. The commercial fishery, combined with anthropogenic stressors, led to severe declines in striped bass populations in the late 1970s and early 80s. Federal, state and local action turned the tide, and stripers rebounded, but concerns remain ranging from habit health to disease. Helping striped bass is more than just following fishing regulations. Over your next Angler’s Pint, consider brainstorming what you can do at home—from limiting/eliminating fertilizers to helping manage runoff—to help striper populations remain healthy.

Atlantic Salmon

The Atlantic salmon is revered by anglers and diners alike. Unfortunately, years of overexploitation combined with the degradation of aquatic ecosystems has driven the species' conservation status to a point where the Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment is now listed as an endangered species. In Maine, progress is being made--most notably with the Penobscot River Restoration Project. Removal of dams and creation of fish passage provides access to over one thousand miles of historic Atlantic salmon (and other sea run fishes') breeding habitat. Despite the success of projects like this, there is still plenty of work to be done. Perhaps pick up a copy of The President's Salmon next time you sit down with a tall pour in your Angler's Pint. The book will give you a lot to think about when it comes to the magnificent fish.

American Shad

The American shad is a species, much like the Atlantic salmon, steeped in coastal culture and heritage. As is the case with many other sea-run fishes, dams and other damage to river systems has played a role in the species' declining conservation status. Overfishing, which was once a significant issue in the commercial fishery, is not as much a problem in recreational fisheries, and some anglers target shad during the spring runs. Does keeping a connection to shad, either through recreational angling or well-managed commercial fishing, help the species’ conservation status? Are people are more likely to conserve something about which they are aware than a fish they’ve never heard of? Discussing the role of recreation fishing in conservation is always a great conversation to have while enjoying your favorite beverage from an Angler's Pint!

Mahi Mahi

The mahi mahi, also called dorado and dolphinfish, is a fish from a well-managed fishery in the US. US Atlantic mahi mahi and mahi mahi caught by line/pole is considered very sustainable, while longline-caught fish are less so. The recreational fishery has little effect on the overall conservation status of the species, and fly anglers love targeting these beautiful (and delicious) fish. While their conservation status is not a serious concern at present, threats to ocean ecosystems are. Talking about how saltwater anglers can be part of the solution of a healthy ocean is a great topic of conversation while enjoying a pint from the ever-expanding line of saltwater Angler's Pints.

Tarpon

The tarpon is an Atlantic species (although it is also found on the Pacific coast of Panama) that is considered "Vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). While much is unknown about tarpon's biology and population numbers, it is known that major threats include the food fishery, bycatch mortality in recreational and other fisheries, and habitat degradation. Although not generally consumed in the US, large directed recreational fisheries in Florida and Texas have both put pressure on the species and, more recently, contributed to a better understanding of the species and what can be done to improve its conservation status. Today, the Florida tarpon fishery is catch-and-release only (unless pursuing a IGFA record with a purchased tarpon tag). Talking about the role saltwater anglers can play in conserving the species they love is a favorite topic of conversation while enjoying a pint from the ever-expanding line of saltwater Angler's Pints.

Bonefish

Bonefish are one of the species most sought after by saltwater fly anglers, but there is significant concern about the species' conservation status. A couple decades ago, it was obvious to anglers in places like the Florida Keys that bonefish were in trouble. Today, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the species as "Near Threatened." While unintended mortality in recreational catch-and-release fisheries is a concern, the greatest threats to bonefish are habitat loss and degradation, especially to mangrove and seagrass ecosystems on which bonefish rely. In recent years, anglers have played an important role in better understanding the species and in helping populations recover. Enjoying a beverage from an Angler's Pint after a long day on the water is the perfect time to talk about the future of these magnificent animals and how anglers may continue to play a role in insuring their recovery.

Red Drum

The red drum is listed as a species of "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Not so long ago, however, populations throughout the southeastern US were in serious trouble as a result of overfishing and the compounded pressure of both a commercial and recreational fishery. In the 1980s, fisheries managers implemented management measures that have been fairly effective in helping the species rebound, though populations continue to struggle in some key areas, especially those subject to habitat degradation. In 2007, an Executive Order designated red drum as a protected gamefish. Today, many anglers view healthy redfish populations as indicators of healthy ecosystems. Some anglers would like to see the fishery become catch-and-release only in places like the Indian River Lagoon, where a healthy fishery can lead to a greater awareness of the need for more conservation measures. Discussing how a healthy catch-and-release fishery can benefit both the targeted species and the ecosystems on which they depend is a perfect conversation topic while enjoying your favorite beverage from a Redfish Angler's Pint.

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