Fish entrainment in irrigation canals remains one of the key stressors affecting trout populations in Alberta. While short-term rescue efforts occur each year, long-term prevention and transparency are still needed.
By signing this petition, you are adding your name to a growing list of Albertans calling on the Government of Alberta to address fish entrainment at the source and commit to long-term solutions.
The Trout Trust is spearheading a campaign to raise awareness of and lobby our government to address the issue of entrained trout, and critical forage fish, in irrigation canals across Alberta's flowing waters. We believe that Trout belong in our rivers and should not be salvaged or left to die in irrigation canals. We are starting with the Bow River.
If you agree with us, please sign this petition to demand action.
Whereas:
- There is currently a transparency concern regarding the accessibility of information with respect to waterways in Alberta;
- In 2021, the AEP identified entrainment as one of the key stressors on trout populations in the Bow River;
- The Government of Alberta funds external contractors with volunteer assistance to provide a short fish rescue program immediately after irrigation canal drawdowns every autumn;
- We believe that exploring solutions to the cause rather than treating the symptoms is long overdue;
We, the undersigned, call upon the Government of Alberta to ensure the protection of the trout population in Alberta through entrainment prevention and increased government transparency respecting waterways.
Alberta residents, please contact your MLA and ask them to encourage the Alberta Government to address the entrainment issue on the Bow River and other streams where it is also an issue. Your MLA contact can be located here.
See our resource page for a sample letter.