Operational Plan for the Restoration of Diadromous Fishes to the ...

Appendix D: Invasive species response and the Eastern Brook Trout joint
Venture (EBTJV)
The Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture: Fish Habitat Partnership (EBTJV) is a
National Fish Habitat Action Plan partnership of state and federal agencies,
nongovernmental organizations, and academic institutions. The EBTJV conducted a
comprehensive assessment of the status of and threats to brook trout populations
throughout their entire eastern United States range (Maine to Georgia) in 2005
(Hudy et al. 2005). It revealed wild brook trout populations in the eastern United
States are impaired. Intact stream populations of brook trout populations exist in only
5% of the watersheds assessed. Wild stream populations of brook trout have
vanished or are greatly reduced in nearly half of the watersheds. The vast majority of
historically occupied large rivers no longer support self-reproducing populations of
brook trout.
Across the entire eastern brook trout range, the top five perturbations for streamdwelling
brook trout populations were high water temperature, agriculture, riparian
condition, non-native fish species, and urbanization. Non-native fish species were
considered the greatest threats to lake populations. Findings from the range-wide
status and threats assessment were used to develop a unified vision, as well as
goals, key priorities, and strategies for the Joint Venture.
The EBTJV’s Conservation Strategy (EBTJV 2008) is a goal-oriented, sciencebased,
action plan that explicitly states Joint Venture partner goals, presents
guidance for decision-making, and provides methods for evaluating success. The
fundamental framework of the Conservation Strategy is comprised of three distinct
components: (1) vision; (2) principal goals and (3) key priorities. Because of the
large geographic distribution of brook trout in the eastern United States, the EBTJV
conservation strategy is organized into three primary levels of distinction: rangewide,
regional, and state-level.
The range-wide vision of the EBTJV is to ensure “healthy, fishable brook trout
populations throughout their historic eastern United States range.” Key priorities
serve as the framework for the development of state-level brook trout conservation
action plans. The following key priorities were established to meet the principal
goals of the EBTJV:
1. Protect brook trout populations across the eastern United States.
2. Restore brook trout populations where original habitat conditions exist and
where habitats can be restored.
3. Monitor and evaluate brook trout population responses to habitat
protection, enhancement and restoration projects.
4. Complete brook trout distribution and quantitative status assessments.
5. Increase recreational fishing opportunities for wild brook trout.
The state level is where the vast amount of brook trout conservation efforts occur.
The EBTJV believes that efforts to improve the status of brook trout should begin by
protecting “the best of the best” habitat that supports existing healthy, stable
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