The Ten Commandments of Successful Fishery Management of Wild Brown Trout Salmo trutta Populations in Salmonid Streams in the Bohemian Region (Czech Republic)

Abstract

The brown trout Salmo trutta is a fish species that is vulnerable to climate change and anthropogenic activities in its native range. The case studies of successful restoration of brown trout populations are rare. In this study, fishery managers who successfully restored brown trout populations are sharing their know-how and advice about their conservation strategy. Overall, twenty fishery managers were interviewed to give advice about their successful conservation practices of local brown trout populations. Using a qualitative analysis method, ten main recommendations were extracted: (1) assess the status of local brown trout populations, (2) form a union of fisheries managers and work together, (3) support the ability of the streams to retain water, (4) prevent artificial removal of water from the salmonid streams, (5) adjust the brown trout stocking strategy to individual streams, (6) set strict protection of native wild brown trout populations, (7) enforce angling bans and regulations, (8) support the rearing of brown trout in the aquaculture sector, (9) limit brown trout stocking to genetically native fish, and (10) stock smaller 0 + brown trout instead of large adult ones. In conclusion, the fishery managers agreed on the basic management steps that need to be made to conserve brown trout populations.