The Fisheries Committee was established by the President to be comprised of members from the Board as appointed by the President and affirmed by the Board. The committee’s approved Statement of Purpose:
“To evaluate issues facing inland and marine fisheries affecting western states and provinces and to provide recommendations for actions to WAFWA to address these issues.”
Executive Summary
The transport of live fish can be a significant pathway for the movement of aquatic invasive species (AIS). This includes live fish cultivated in private, state and federal hatcheries and aquaponics facilities for stocking in public and private waters or use as live bait or as food fish. To address this issue, western states recognize the need to establish basic best management practices (BMP) for AIS inspections in fish rearing and holding facilities. BMP’s were also developed to address AIS detections in a facility and measures to mitigate AIS movement out of the facility.
Other resources that provide guidance for addressing AIS in hatchery systems includes the USDA Comprehensive Aquatic Health Program Standards and the State of Arkansas live bait certification program. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans also should be established for each facility to address introduction of disease and AIS. Plans should be reviewed regularly to ensure they are up to date and are following current protocols.
The guidelines in this document were developed in collaboration between the Western Invasive Species Coordination Effort (WISCE), Western State AIS Coordinators, Hatchery Managers and Fish Health Coordinators, with a goal to provide basic guidance on how to conduct AIS surveillance at hatcheries, reduce the risk of spreading non-target organisms and recommend strategies to address AIS in hatchery facilities following detection. These recommendations were reviewed and supported by many western fish chiefs through the actions of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) Fisheries Committee. Appendix A was presented at WAFWA’s 2024 Summer Annual Meeting in Stevenson, Washington.