Ecological, social, and economic factors influencing the suitability of a waterbody for walleye stocking with a focus on Alberta, Canada

Abstract

This research provides a framework to evaluate waterbodies in Alberta to determine if walleye stocking will be ecologically appropriate and socially and economically beneficial. Data on ecological requirements and limitations for walleye, economic costs and benefits of walleye stocking and fisheries, and potential ecological and social costs and benefits were researched. This research was applied to Sylvan Lake, Alberta as an example. I discuss future research to improve analyses including detailed cost analyses and how stocking changes fishing pressure. This work may act as scientific advice for decision makers. Incorporation of ecological, social, and economic costs and benefits into stocking decisions provides a more holistic assessment. This may result in stocking waterbodies that will have direct net-economic benefits, accepting direct net-economic costs that may be offset by non-economic benefits, deciding to offset costs with special stocked waterbody licenses, or choosing to not stock walleye.