MA Anglers Face Debate Over Fish Stocking & Ecosystem Impact

MassWildlife is preparing to resume stocking local waterways with fish in the coming weeks, aiming to ensure ample catches for anglers during the warmer months. However, this year, the practice faces opposition from a Berkshire County environmental group calling for its end.

The Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) launched a new campaign on Tuesday, advocating for a halt to non-native fish stocking in Massachusetts. Details of the campaign are available on their website.

“We believe this routine stocking of non-native fish stands in direct conflict with the state’s biodiversity mandate,” said Chelsey Simmons, stewardship director for BEAT.

Fish stocking involves releasing fish, including non-native species raised in hatcheries, into lakes, rivers and other waterways to provide anglers with a variety of species to catch. MassWildlife primarily stocks brook, brown, tiger, and rainbow trout across more than 450 bodies of water statewide each year, typically in spring, and autumn. Last fall, 12 ponds, lakes, and reservoirs throughout Berkshire County received a mix of rainbow and brown trout.

While BEAT’s primary focus is on ending the stocking of non-native species, the organization opposes fish stocking in general, even with native species like brook trout. Brittany Ebeling, executive director of BEAT, explained, “Activities like stocking really have nothing to do with making improvements to native brook trout’s ability to survive.” She added that the organization favors alternative conservation approaches, such as improving existing habitats.

BEAT’s concerns extend to the mortality rate of stocked fish and the potential for them to displace native species. The group is encouraging advocates to contact state officials and advocate for a reconsideration of non-native fish stocking practices. “Stocked fish are really not equipped to survive in the wild and many die very shortly after they’re released,” Simmons said. “As we’ve looked more into it, we realize just how incredibly harmful the practice of fish stocking is.” She also expressed concern about a lack of accountability for potential harm caused by MassWildlife’s stocking efforts.

MassWildlife defends the program, stating it is crucial for generating interest in fishing and revenue from fishing licenses, and that it can be conducted alongside conservation efforts. In a statement to The Berkshire Eagle, MassWildlife wrote, “MassWildlife’s trout stocking program is popular with hundreds of thousands of anglers statewide and a key part of our mission to expand access [to] recreational fishing for all anglers.” The agency also noted its commitment to the conservation of wild trout, focusing on habitat protection, water quality, and restoring connectivity. MassWildlife also stated that fewer than 10 percent of wild trout streams and rivers are stocked.

Leaders of local fishing organizations are also weighing in. Justin Adkins, president of Trout Unlimited’s Taconic chapter, said BEAT’s initiative aligns with his organization’s mission to reduce stocking. He has been meeting with BEAT’s leadership to discuss their approach. Adkins hopes that stocking can be phased out on a case-by-case basis, considering existing native fish populations. He expressed concern that stopping stocking abruptly could negatively impact native trout populations if anglers continue to harvest them. “There is a concern that if you just completely stop stocking, then people are just catching and keeping that native and wild trout,” he said. Despite this concern, he expressed a positive outlook on BEAT’s mission, stating, “The end goal is the reduction of stocking and a healthy native and wild trout population.”

BEAT will host a webinar on March 3 to discuss fish stocking and provide information on how to advocate for policy changes. Simmons anticipates participation from members of the local Trout Unlimited chapter. “We realize that What we have is a very nuanced issue,” Simmons said. “Certain rivers that are stocked regularly are very important for fly fishing and small businesses. … I hope the angler community and fishing communities don’t take it personally.” She concluded, “If we continue stocking non-native fish, we’re just going to have a less healthy ecosystem.”