Western Native Trout Initiative

I. Project Summary:
The states of Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, and Montana propose to convene a 2-3 day workshop soliciting presentations on the status of redband trout populations across the range of the species. We anticipate presentations on population status and trends, ecology, historical vs. current distributions, genetics, limiting factors, and efforts to conserve the species. This workshop is proposed to occur as a precursor to establishing a rangewide conservation group for redband trout in the same fashion as has been done for other inland salmonids (e.g. cutthroat trout subspecies). Experts from various agencies and Tribes would be invited to participate.

II. Project Need:
To date, there has been no coordinated effort to assess the status of redband trout across their range in the western United States. Previously, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was petitioned to list redband trout under the Endangered Species Act. This workshop would provide a forum for sharing information and making decisions on appropriate ways to coordinate a rangewide status assessment and develop a database specific for redband trout. Funding is solicited from the Western Native Trout Initiative to hold the workshop, provide some travel funds to attendees/speakers who have travel restrictions, and to hire a facilitator/note taker. We expect to work with a third party such as the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission to hold the workshop.

III. Project Completion Report:

The final project report is available below.