The Fish Health Board is balanced, with a TU member siting on the Board. However, we must remain diligent to prevent any stocking by private hatcheries in our public waters. An issue of vital concern to the UTTU today is the relentless stocking of hatchery raised fish in streams that could maintain viable wild populations. Decreased water quality, a possible result of poor management of our public lands, has lead to an increased demand to meet the general publics fishing needs through the hatchery system. If as much time, effort, and money was put into restoring and holistically managing our aquatic and riparian habitats as is put into hatcheries we would see more naturally sustainable populations of our fisheries.
Hatcheries do play a vital role.
They can and are being used to provide restocking of native fish into their historical range. They can be used to supplement wild populations when adverse conditions occur that reduce their reproductive capabilities. Hatcheries also provide an angling opportunity to those areas where sustainable populations cannot be established. Trout Unlimited here in Utah, and in other states, has used in-stream incubators to help establish populations with very little human intervention. Some sites that have been selected include Little Dell Creek, Trout Creek, Sheep Creek and other locations.