The Historical and Sociocultural context of trout colonization and sport fishing in Patagonia.

AIGO J; CIANCIO J; FLIKKE R

Tokyo

Workshop; Workshop internacional en Universidad de Tokyo; 2022

Universidad de Tokyo

Species introductions were part of development policies that had long-term objectives for the recently occupied national territories (Willis 1988) and responded to a reaffirmation of the perception of Patagonia as a region of low richness and diversity and the belief in the need to increase and domesticate it (Novillo & Ojeda 2008). In particular, the introduction of salmonids was an idea conceived by the National Government shortly after the military “conquest of the desert”. Due to the low diversity of native fish species and the fact that it was not considered a worthy game fish, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of Argentina began in 1904 the first introductions of salmonids in some lakes and rivers in the upper Limay River basin. So far, what was known were the native species, perch and Patagonian silversides, which were considered of no value for sport fishing. Increasing biodiversity in general in these territories and increasing exploitable economic resources are ongoing objectives of the National Parks Administration. Thus, the dissemination of salmonids and other exotic species (e.g., deer, wild boar, pines) are encouraged by the Parks and are prioritized in management and conservation policies. The visibility of the sociocultural context of the introductions is important to understand the tensions, conflicts and resistance around sport fishing in community territories of Patagonia