An Experimental Test of the Potential for Bull Trout Conservation Translocations, via Instream Incubation Capsules, in Alberta
Can we successfully translocate fertilized eggs instead of live bull trout?
This master’s project led by Tara Lepine out of the Steve Vamosi Lab at the University of Calgary, and in collaboration with Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, tested a new way to translocate bull trout. Instead of moving individual, live fish from one location to another, Lepine is planting capsules of fertilized bull trout eggs in the streambeds. The method achieved high survival rates (71.4% ± 4.9%). Lepine also discovered that an important factor for success is having fewer days with temperatures below freezing. Read the full thesis here.
The main goal was to find out how well this method works and see what factors impact embryo development and ultimately survival. The crew collected, fertilized, and deployed the capsules in the sediment in 2023 and retrieved them in March 2024. Dr. Kissinger assisted with study design and data collection as a committee member and collaborator on this project.
Mike Short with Let’s Go Outdoors caught up with the team to learn about the project.
Temperature loggers installed at field sites
Trout were caught and harvested for fertilized eggs, which were deployed at field sites in capsules
Environmental measurements taken and capsules brought back to the lab for assessment
Lepine successfully presents and defends her MSc thesis
