Administrative Rules of Montana
Department 12 - FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PARKS
Chapter 12.7 - FISHERIES DIVISION
Subchapter 12.7.15 - Unauthorized Placement of Fish
Rule 12.7.1503 - MANAGEMENT ACTIONS
Universal Citation: MT Admin Rules 12.7.1503
Current through Register Vol. 6, March 22, 2024
(1) The department's action plan for responding to a confirmed unauthorized species may include, as determined by the department, the following management actions for eradication or suppression:
(a) prohibit or
discontinue stocking the water body if the presence of the unauthorized species
reduces the effectiveness of the stocking effort;
(b) prohibit or discontinue stocking of any
forage fish species that benefits the unauthorized species;
(c) modify angling regulations for the
immediate and connected water bodies with unauthorized species including:
(i) liberalizing or removing daily angling
limits;
(ii) enacting
catch-and-release fishing;
(iii)
extending or removing the angling season;
(iv) allowing capture methods other than hook
and line;
(v) instituting
mandatory catch-and-kill regulations; or
(vi) closing the water to all fishing.
(d) deny applications
for fishing contests that target the unauthorized species, except in cases
where the department determines the contest is an essential tool for
suppression or eradication and requires that the contest has catch-and-kill
rules;
(e) authorize commercial
harvest or economic harvest incentives for the unauthorized species if
statutory authority is provided and is prescribed by a management plan;
(f) implement physical control
measures to reduce the population of unauthorized species, including:
(i) installation of fish barriers;
(ii) removal using chemical or mechanical
methods;
(iii) netting spawning
fish;
(iv) habitat manipulation
(e.g., reservoir drawdown);
(v)
removing illegal species when encountered incidental to other management or
survey activities; or
(vi)
disturbing spawning areas to reduce survival.
(g) implement angler harvest incentive
programs.
87-5-704, MCA; IMP, 87-5-701, 87-5-704, 87-5-713, 87-5-715, MCA;
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