Fishing for Endangered Species

[Johnsfolly]

I posted the initial question in the Yellowcheek Darter thread in the Little Red River forum, but wanted to get a broader audience.

I have an ethics issue to consider. This probably pertains more to the guys like myself that enjoy catching a variety of common and unusual species, but all thoughts are welcome.

How do you feel about fishing for threatened or endangered species? A couple of examples in MO would be the Niangua darter or Topeka Shiner.

Is it ok with catch and release or should they be left alone? 

If a species is threatened within one state, but common in another, is that fish off-limits within the state that they are threatened?

 

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

My thoughts and feelings lean towards leaving them alone in the area's where they are endangered.  

[ollie]

I would concur with Daryk Campbell on this one.  Not that you would kill one or would want to, but because they are endangered means something like do not disturb to me.

[ozark trout fisher]

I'll mostly just give you my understanding of the legalities. I trust you're capable of making good decisions beyond that.

In the case of many threatened species, the rule is often that targeted C&R is frowned upon, while incidental catch (and a quick release) is okay. The reality is that this is fairly toothless. This comes up a lot with Bull Trout out west. It's very common to see people who are obviously targeting bulls (what with 5" long weighted streamers and a sinking line) but they can always just say they are after the world record cutthroat, and there isn't a lot anyone can do. 

In terms of most endangered species I think it is pretty cut and dry. If you are "taking" them (which includes most any intentional disruption, targeted catch and release included) that is probably going to be a no-no. Again, unless someone is being super obvious about it or (heaven forbid) keeping the fish they'd almost certainly never be called on it...

...but yeah, I'd definitely try to stay away from targeting endangered species. Catch and release, especially with small fish is just such a touchy process. This doesn't bother us when we are talking about species with large populations, but when you are talking about a mortality rate of even 5% (or whatever they're saying it is for fly-angling catch and release these days) with an endangered species that would personally trouble me. 

I love targeting obscure species as well. So I've put some thought into this over the years.

 

[oneshot]

Ok maybe I should go somewhere else with this but I live next to the Niangua River. When I was young they would take gravel out of some places and have very nice holes and always had good fishing. Then they stopped this because of the Niangua Darter.

In the mean time MDC turned lose Otters. So the Big Holes filled in leaving smaller holes that the Otters just love killing every fish they can in.

What I am thinking is the Niangua Darter did well for years with Gravel Mining and other fish did well. Seems to me they made it worse by having the small holes with way less fish.

I'm sure someone is going to jump in and say how Bad Gravel Mining is the same as they will say how Bad burning the woods off. But do they ever think this is why this area has so many Endangered Species?  

oneshot

[jim1]

Who fishes for the Niangua darter?