GLIN==> Public Meetings

Public Meetings About Brook Trout

Wednesday, December 8, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Michigan Technological University, 641 Dow Building
Houghton, MI

Thursday, December 9, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Northern Michigan University, University Center - Pioneer A
Marquette, MI

Contact: Todd Breiby, Trout Unlimited - Midwest Office
Phone: (608) 255-0361, e-mail: tbreiby@tu.org
Web: www.tu.org/conservation/coaster.asp

There's something to be said about exceptionally large brook trout. Fishing and environmental organizations, community members, resource managers, and government officials are encouraged to participate in these meetings. The two public meetings will examine the latest information on Lake Superior's coaster brook trout (coasters) and options for its rehabilitation.

Before European settlement, coasters were abundant in Lake Superior's tributaries and coastal regions. The decline of coasters echoed that of plains bison, and for the last century they have been locally extirpated or rare. Now fisheries experts believe they possess information that could drive the recovery of the species. The question is, do coasters have advocates and a place in our changed world?

"It seems clear that any thoughts of restoring coaster populations need to be backed by a committed public," said Todd Breiby of Trout Unlimited. "The upcoming coaster meetings will encourage dialogue regarding fish rehabilitation, solicit input for management, and share the latest research about coasters."

The workshops will feature speakers from the Michigan Technological University (MTU) and Northern Michigan University (NMU) Departments of Biology, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Natural Resources Department, National Park Service, Trout Unlimited, and Michigan Sea Grant Extension.

The University of Wisconsin (UW) Superior, UW Extension, Michigan Sea Grant, and Minnesota Sea Grant programs, Trout Unlimited and Trout Unlimited Canada are hosting the meetings with support from state, federal, tribal, and university cooperators.

Links:
Michigan Sea Grant: http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu
Michigan Technological University: http://www.mtu.edu
Minnesota Sea Grant: http://www.seagrant.umn.edu
Northern Michigan University: http://www.nmu.edu
University of Wisconsin Superior: http://www.uwsuper.edu

GLIN==> Public Meetings - Brook Trout