Lake Superior Fish Community, 1953-2017: reflecting a history of change and an uncertain future
Session: 12. - History of Great Lakes Fish, Fisheries & Governance: Dr. Henry Regier's Legacy
Owen Gorman, U.S. Geological Survey, [email protected]
Abstract
The Lake Superior fish community has undergone dramatic changes over the past 65 years, beginning with conditions before Sea Lamprey and overfishing collapsed the native community (1953), the nadir (1960s), early stages of recovery (1970s), explosive recovery (1980-1990s) and decline (2000s). The state of fish community is described at each of these stages and factors leading to the collapse, promoting recovery, and causing the decline are described with the aim providing greater understanding of the regulation of populations and informing management to promote effective strategies for conservation native fish stocks in the face of an uncertain future. The present state of the fish community will be addressed in light of anticipated climate changes and increasing demands of a growing human population in the 21st century.
1. Keyword
fish populations
2. Keyword
fisheries
3. Keyword
ecosystems