GOAL:
Conserve Connecticut's fin fish and crustacea and ensure their diversity.

OBJECTIVE:
Foster natural propagation of fisheries, provide for sustained yield management of selected species, and protect, maintain, and restore fisheries habitats.

STATUS & TRENDS:
There is an increasing demand for fishery resources. Competing and conflicting uses of land and water have caused reductions in some fish populations, suitable fish habitat, and adequate access for individuals who fish. Habitat information is absent, o utdated, or incomplete on certain streams, rivers, lakes and ponds, and on Long Island Sound. In certain areas, poor water quality, degraded habitat, low flow conditions, over-fishing, and artificial barriers are causing adverse impacts on fish populatio ns, physiological conditions, harvest, and recreation.

STRATEGIES:

1. Conduct statewide stream, lake, and pond fishery surveys in order to identify fish habitat conditions and management needs.
2. Continue to develop and implement an angler access program, including more handicapped fishing access points, and fishing easements.
3. Procure lands to protect water sources for existing and potential hatcheries and watersheds to maintain adequate instream flows and aquatic habitats.
4. Develop an angler harvest information program, including a survey of angler preferences, attitudes, species sought, species harvested, and areas fished.
5. Evaluate and improve fish stocking programs, including feasibility of new programs,, areas stocked, numbers and species stocked, catch rates and survival.
6. Remove existing impediments to the free movement of fish or provide fish ladders and require that the construction of new dams not impede fish mobility,
7. Prepare a fisheries management plan for Long Island Sound in concert with New York and Rhode Island.
8. Develop policy and disseminate guidelines and management practices including conservation setback or buffer zones for the protection and conservation of aquatic resources.
9. Develop policy and guidelines for and implement minimum instream flow standards for the protection and conservation of aquatic resources.
10. Prepare a statewide management plan for the inland fisheries of Connecticut.
11. Provide technical assistance to public and private landowners for the protection, conservation and enhancement of aquatic habitat.
12. Continue support for aquatic resources education programs and facilities to increase urbanized society's knowledge and understanding of the aquatic environment.