Ecological Risk of Live Bait Fisheries: A New Angle on Selective Fishing

The use of live baitfish is a cultural norm in many jurisdictions across North America. Because baitfish are often harvested from mixed stocks in the wild, the potential for bycatch exists, leading to the inadvertent relocation of nontarget species via distribution networks and anglers; therefore, like many fisheries, core issues revolve around selective fishing. We assess selectivity of bait fisheries in Ontario, focusing on the prevalence of bycatch within the commercial supply chain and the propensity for nontarget species introductions by anglers. Selection for target stocks was strong; however, species assemblages in retail tanks and angler purchases included game, imperiled, invasive, and other nontarget species. The combination of bycatch, a large volume of angling trips, and risky angler behavior results in high probabilities of introducing the suite of nontarget species contained incidentally. Pathway approaches to management provide opportunities to increase selectivity, manage the risk of species introductions, and sustain the integrity of bait operations throughout North America.