Native Fish Policy
The Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF) notes that throughout North America native fish populations
have declined from historical levels, particularly over the last century or more, due to the
cumulative effects of overharvest, water management, past fisheries management practices,
agricultural, forestry, and mining, and other land use practices, habitat alteration or degradation,
and the widespread introduction of non-native fish species. The goal of many fisheries
management agencies and programs today is to preserve or restore native fish species to some
portion of their historical native range. These goals have been driven by the legal mandates of
the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and by the increased value that anglers, fisheries
managers, conservation organizations, and other concerned individuals place on native fishes in
native habitats.
The FFF established a Native Fish Policy that set forth clear principles to assist our members,
clubs, and councils speak with a consistent voice on management or legislative actions that
may affect native fish populations, such as a proposal to restore endemic fish populations to
historical habitat. A growing number of proposed restoration projects for game and non-game
species challenge our ethics as sport anglers when we must choose between a popular nonnative
sport fishery and a conflicting imperative to restore native fish or amphibians. The Native
Fish Policy recognizes that many proposed restoration projects are controversial among the
angling community. It also recognizes that flexibility is required to assure sound management of
native fisheries, while maintaining compatible recreational fishing opportunities for all anglers.
Most importantly, a Native Fish Policy maintains and strengthens the FFF's moral responsibility
to advocate for balanced multiple-use in natural resource development on our public lands and
to guard against management practices that may threaten native species and the aquatic
environments we treasure. It affirms our support for the Endangered Species Act and its
provisions for protecting imperiled fish and wildlife species and their habitats.
The FFF Native Fish Policy establishes a guiding philosophy of the FFF regarding conservation
of native fish and their habitats. The policy generally addresses coldwater fisheries, but
additional specific policies have been developed for steelhead, saltwater fishes, and warmwater
fishes.
Policy Elements
1. FFF supports fisheries management policies and practices that recognize the value of native
species and their conservation in native habitats, and does not support management policies
that threaten native species with degradation or extinction. Similarly, FFF does not support the
FFF Native Fish Policy – 2010 stocking of non-native fish into waters where they can interact
genetically, behaviorally, or ecologically with native fish species1.
2. FFF recognizes the intrinsic value of native fish species and their aquatic communities.
FFF supports management policies and practices that promote scientifically sound management
and restoration of self-sustaining populations of native fish and other native aquatic species. A
tremendous recreational value to flyfishers is lost when these species are no longer available in
population densities capable of supporting a sustained fishery.
3. FFF recognizes that many native fish species, particularly salmonids, are remarkable for the
diversity they display in their behavioral, ecological, and genetic characteristics. The biological
diversity that occurs within various fish species is a natural response to the habitat diversity they
encountered in the landscape where they lived and evolved. The ecological community where
they evolved, which included their predators, prey and competitors, also shaped the diversity we
observe in fish species today. Human activities over the last several centuries have
dramatically altered aquatic ecosystems and reduced aquatic habitat diversity and biological
diversity within native fish species.
4. FFF supports management programs and actions that promote the restoration of diverse
habitats that support native fish species. A corresponding increase in life history diversity within
the population is likely to occur where native fish exist in or are reintroduced to these diverse
habitats, as adaptation and evolution are continuing processes. Increases in abundance, age
class diversity, and life history diversity within a population leads to resilience, which in turn
fosters a self-sustaining population.
5. FFF is concerned about the continued erosion of the genetic integrity of existing native fish
populations and supports management decisions that prioritize the protection of existing native
populations. FFF supports careful stream censuses of fish diversity to identify genetically intact
native fish populations and supports management decisions and actions that ensure these
populations are preserved in perpetuity and remain geographically isolated from non-native
species.
6. FFF supports the establishment of native fish refuges or conservation areas where metapopulations of genetically healthy native fish species occur. A system of native fish
conservation areas throughout the country would act as an insurance policy for fisheries
managers by providing non-introgressed native fish stocks that could be used for transplants,
reintroductions, or other recovery efforts2.
7. FFF supports an approach to native fish species restoration that advocates habitat and
watershed protection and restoration of the natural ecological processes that maintain the native
fish species’ evolution. This approach may include a limited role, if any, for use of hatchery
production in the restoration of native fish species. The FFF approach relies on habitat
1 In this document, the term ‘native’ refers to indigenous species and forms, and does not include non-indigenous
naturally reproducing wild fish. Fisheries management throughout most of the 20th century promoted the introduction
of non-native fish species. Starting in the late 1970s, managers recognized that these efforts had produced exotic
fisheries with considerable recreational value to fishers, but at great expense to many native fish species. Thus, the
FFF policy, while recognizing the value of these non-native based fisheries, places greater priority on managing and
rebuilding fisheries throughout the country that support native fishes in their native habitats. In this context, we treat
the terms non-indigenous and exotic as synonymous with non-native.
2 See the FFF Native Fish Conservation Area Policy. The methods and philosophies of these conservation areas are
described therein as a way to protect and restore native assemblages of aquatic species.
restoration, control of non-native fish species, and reintroduction of native species into habitats
from which they have been extirpated.
8. FFF supports the recovery of native fish species into at least a portion of their historical
ranges. The recovery goal would be to achieve and maintain viable fisheries or populations of
native fish within their native streams. This may require the removal of introduced non-native
species from specific streams in some cases and the subsequent transplanting of native fish
from nearby remnant populations. The FFF supports carefully managed application of piscicides
where required to achieve the restoration project goal. Recovery programs may require the use
of hatchery production from remnant stocks to achieve recovery objectives in cases where
transplanting from adjacent stocks is not feasible, such as occurred with the Gila trout. Such
programs should be of limited duration until adequate populations have been restored into
native habitats.
The restoration of native fish species into at least a portion of their historical ranges, should be
used judiciously and will be most useful in recovering critically depressed stocks, such as ESA-
listed endangered, threatened, or sensitive stocks (the latter also called Species of Concern by
some state agencies). Most of the cutthroat trout subspecies, for example, fall into one of these
categories. The approach is one of several tools that can be used to reestablish viable
populations of native fish species in their native habitats to protect their persistence into the
future. These programs or actions likely would be site-specific or species-specific and will
require careful consideration by regional biologists and fish managers to improve the likely
success of the transplantation effort.
9. FFF recognizes the impact that non-native fish introductions have had on native fishes and
opposes any unauthorized introductions or transplants of fish species into aquatic systems. The
widespread stocking of hatchery rainbow trout for example has impacted populations of interior
redband trout, nearly all interior cutthroat trout subspecies, and eastern brook trout. Further, the
introduction of hatchery largemouth bass has threatened native Guadalupe bass in regions of
the southwest. Similarly, transplants of fish into previously fishless systems (or above natural
fish barriers) have severely impacted indigenous amphibian diversity.
10. FFF recognizes the responsibility anglers have to avoid spreading pathogens (such as
whirling disease and viral hemorrhagic septicemia) and non-indigenous nuisance or invasive
species (such as quagga mussels or Eurasian milfoil) among watersheds. Anglers should take
care to inspect their equipment (waders, boots, float tubes, boats, and trailers) for visible plants
and dirt, thoroughly wash and dry their fishing equipment before moving from one watershed to
another.
11. FFF recognizes that sustained management of many native fish species will require
restrictive fishing regulations (including a total closure of the fishery if warranted), such as
barbless hooks, slot limits, or catch-and-release angling, to reduce mortality rates that will
adversely affect population structure and survival of spawning age fish. FFF supports proper
catch-and-release angling techniques for native species as an important component of
sustainable management3.
3 Catch-and-release angling incurs a low level of mortality. Much of this mortality can be further reduced through
proper playing, handling, and releasing of hooked fish. Anglers should use heavy enough tackle that the fish can
be landed as quickly as possible. Handle the fish as little as possible, keeping it in the water; wet hands or net
before landing the fish. Use long-nosed pliers or hemostat to back the hook out of the entrance hole. The use of
barbless or circle hooks makes it easier to quickly unhook a fish. Hold the fish gently moving it back and forth
until it revives and swims from your hands.
12. FFF develops and provides educational materials to FFF members, other anglers, and the
general public regarding the value of conserving of native fishes in our aquatic ecosystems
through sound management. FFF encourages its clubs and councils to actively engage in
native fish restoration projects and programs, particularly in ways that interact positively with
fisheries agencies, the public, and the media. FFF members are encouraged to interact with the
FFF Conservation Committee when planning native fish restoration projects, and are likewise
encouraged to participate in such FFF native fish conservation awareness programs such as
Project Cuttcatch and Bass Catch.
13. FFF is concerned about the negative impacts of ocean aquaculture on native wild stocks of
fisheries and the condition of our aquatic environments, such as has occurred for salmon stocks
in Norway, Scotland, Ireland, and British Columbia. FFF strongly recommends that policies be
established that require operations of ocean aquaculture to minimize any impacts on wild fish
populations. This may result in restrictions on the operation of the facility including the annual
timing (presence/absence) of the aquaculture operation itself.
Original December 15, 2001. Revised March 3, 2010
Native Fish Sub-Committee
FFF National Conservation Committee
Federation of Fly Fishers
FFF Native Fish Policy – Steelhead
The FFF notes that West Coast wild4 steelhead stocks are declining rapidly and are at high risk
of demographic extinction. Most wild stocks are substantially below historical levels of
abundance and the wide range of genetic and life history diversity of native stocks has been and
continues to be compromised by habitat alteration, overharvest, and ill-advised hatchery
practices.
FFF steelhead goals are to preserve wild steelhead genetic and life history diversity and restore
wild West Coast steelhead stocks to historical abundance through habitat restoration,
restrictions on sport and commercial harvest until wild populations recover, and reductions both
in scope and magnitude of current hatchery stocking practices, particularly where they impact
wild steelhead populations.
Policy Elements
1. FFF supports steelhead management that emphasizes self-sustaining wild native
populations. We explicitly recognize the value and integrity of locally adapted stream/tributary
specific steelhead stocks which require careful, conservative management of these
irreplaceable resources giving due weight to their special habitat and escapement requirements.
4 The FFF defines wild fisheries as naturally reproducing native species in their native habitats
2. FFF urges steelhead management agencies to accord the highest management priority to
wild, stream born steelhead. Wild steelhead are at the heart of any steelhead management
scheme.
3. FFF views steelhead hatchery supplementation as an admission of management failure to
provide for wild steelhead. FFF urges the utmost caution in any steelhead supplementation
program. Hatchery propagation should not replace or assist natural propagation of steelhead in
watersheds capable of supporting viable wild steelhead.
4. FFF supports limits on angler harvest until steelhead stocks have recovered to levels that
permit harvest of specific numbers of wild steelhead in each particular watershed. FFF supports
catch and release using single barbless hooks and artificial flies or lures only and wild steelhead
release regulations, which permit limited recreational opportunity with minimal harm, while wild
stocks recover.
5. FFF supports the establishment of wild native steelhead refuges or conservation areas
throughout the North American and Asian range of the steelhead. Refuges could be located
where metapopulations of genetically healthy steelhead populations occur. A system of wild
steelhead refuges would act as a long-term insurance policy for fisheries managers to assure
future management options and assist recovery programs.
6. FFF encourages fisheries managers to sharply reduce the level of steelhead bycatch in
fisheries targeting other more productive species. Because of their long freshwater rearing
period (1-5 years), steelhead have limited capacity to support harvest pressure and may
experience sharp declines in abundance and diversity when harvested at high levels.
7. FFF promotes the removal of hydroelectric and irrigation dams which block or hinder the
migration of anadromous salmonids. In cases where removal is infeasible, fish passage and
dam operation should be managed in accordance with the best available science to allow safe
migration and access to historic spawning areas.
8. Healthy populations of wild salmonids rely on healthy freshwater habitat and the FFF believes
that as a society we must seek to better balance human population growth with the protection of
river habitats. We strongly encourage the protection of remaining viable habitat through private,
or public action and the restoration of degraded habitats.
9. FFF recognizes that ocean aquaculture of salmonids has negatively impacted wild salmon
and steelhead stocks in various locations throughout the world. Consequently, fish farming
practices must be brought into balance with the broad conservation goals of restoration and
protection of wild salmon and steelhead. Therefore, until fish farming operations are regulated
to reduce or eliminate the impacts to wild fish and their ecosystems; no further expansion of the
industry is recommended.
10. FFF develops and provides educational materials that will increase angler awareness and
understanding of the conservation and recreational values of maintaining native steelhead, and
the ecological reasons for their preservation. FFF provides these materials in The Osprey:
Publication of the Federation of Fly Fishers Steelhead Committee.
FFF Native Fish Policy – 2010
FFF Native Fish Policy – Saltwater Fishes
The Federation of Fly Fishers notes that problems for inshore, nearshore, and offshore marine
fisheries and environments are primarily related to overharvest due to commercial and
recreational fishing, misguided management policies, lost or degraded habitats, particularly for
the rearing and growth of juvenile fish, and the effects of pollution. FFF advocates vigorous,
continued efforts in addressing these problems.
Further, FFF recognizes the serious problems caused by the many exotic species that have
been introduced to our marine environments, intentionally or otherwise. Where these exotic
species occur, we urge their control, if not their elimination. And we urge the most strenuous
efforts to prevent the introduction of non-native species to our marine environments.
Policy Elements
1. FFF supports management of saltwater gamefish that emphasizes self-sustaining wild
populations. The Federation explicitly recognizes the value and integrity of geographical stock
structure for many saltwater species, which requires careful, conservative management of these
irreplaceable resources giving due weight to their unique habitat and survival requirements.
Catch and release regulations using single barbless hooks and artificial flies or lures only
provide an excellent management tool for protecting vulnerable or depressed wild populations.
2. FFF supports scienced-based accountability measures to manage fishery populations
pursuant the 2006 reauthorization of the Magnason Stevens Act. FFF supports harvest
management regulations for saltwater gamefish that ensure adequate survival and protection in
spawning areas for each geographical stock. The recent collapses of important long-standing
fisheries, such as the Atlantic cod fishery and the Pacific groundfish fishery, point to the
inadequacy of traditional harvest management practices for the long-term sustainability of many
commercially important marine fish species. FFF recognizes the value of these fisheries and
supports efforts to implement more conservative harvest practices that ensure adequate
survival for spawning.
3. FFF supports sharp limits on harvest (including closures) of severely depressed stocks until
the stocks have recovered to levels that allow catch-and-release recreational fishing or limited
and controlled harvest of specific numbers in specific locations.
4. FFF explicitly opposes the introduction of non-native species to marine environments in
order to preserve the indigenous species and their habitats.
5. FFF supports the establishment of marine sanctuaries or refuges where meta-populations of
native species or assemblages occur.
6. FFF develops and provides educational materials that will increase angler awareness and
understanding of the conservation and recreational values of maintaining native saltwater
species, nearshore coastal environments, and the ecological reasons for their preservation.
FFF Native Fish Policy – 2010
FFF Native Fish Policy – Warmwater Fishes
Warmwater species have been widely distributed because of widespread stocking programs
for the purpose of increasing angling opportunities in different parts of the world. FFF
acknowledges the recreational value many introduced populations provide to the angling
public, but also emphasizes the damage caused to native fish communities by the
introductions. Proliferation of non-native fish, along with habitat disturbances, are
responsible for 70% percent of the 27 fish extinctions that have been documented in North
America. Non-native fish often prey on native species, or compete with them for resources
such as spawning gravel and food. Loss of native biological diversity has occurred where
non-native and native species have hybridized. Consequently, FFF advocates as a high
priority against further introductions of non-native species or translocating any fish between
watersheds. FFF realizes that managers will continue the practice of stocking warm water
fish for recreational purposes, but advocates the precautionary principle of scientifically
sound management whenever introductions into new waters are contemplated.
Policy Elements
1. FFF supports fisheries management policies and practices that recognize the value and
conservation of native warm water species and their habitats. Further, FFF supports
management of warm water game fish as self-sustaining wild populations. Therefore, FFF
recommends preservation of remaining native warm water fish populations, and supports
their expansion into suitable restored habitats.
2. FFF supports the preservation of existing warm water habitat that has shown to be
essential for sensitive species such as smallmouth bass, and actively supports the effective
control of industrial and agricultural practices that lead or result in habitat degradation and
decreased water quality. FFF supports water quality monitoring by FFF members in
selected warm water habitats containing sensitive species. Early detection of water quality
changes is an FFF goal.
3. Catch and release regulations using single barbless hooks and artificial flies or lures only
are an effective management tool for protecting vulnerable or depressed wild populations.
4. The FFF advocates development and provision of information materials that will increase
angler awareness and understanding of the conservation and recreational values of
maintaining native warm water species, the ecological reasons for their preservation.