57 down” effect, where the largest fish in an ecosystem are removed and either the species is eliminated and replaced by smaller species or the population of that species are still prevalent in the ecosystem but are a smaller size at maturation.15 This initiates a cascade of events, including the eradication of species with short life cycles, reductions in the mean size of fish in a body of water, and changes to the reproduction rates. The potential consequences, good and bad, of recreational and commercial fishing demonstrate the value of fishing in the conservation of all aquatic ecosystems. They also show the necessity of regulating the fishermen on the Fox River to ensure a balance in said ecosystem for the well-being of the inhabitants. There are a number of situations in the Fox River itself that provide important insights into future decisions, examples of plans with unprecedented outcomes. In May 1936, the flow from upriver dams was shut off and diverted to provide power to other areas. By the time the president of the Fox Valley federation submitted a complaint of low water conditions, large numbers of fish that had been trapped below the St. Charles Dam had died.16 This situation illustrated the importance of balance between using water for power and maintaining a healthy water level and educated future regulations. It also demonstrates why some argue for removal of dams from the Fox River. Around 1959 in Wisconsin, anglers had observed that the population of northern pike had been struggling for the past couple of years and had been pushing for regulation.17 Since the fishermen often understand individual aquatic environments the best, this concern indicates that a size limit is probably a good idea and important to support the different species of fish. Around the 1960s, it was discovered that among the 4,000 fish caught from the Fox River, four percent had tumors and 15 Allan, J. David, Robin Abell, Zeb Hogan, Carmen Revenga, Brad W. Taylor, Robin L. Welcomme, and Kirk Winemiller. “Overfishing of Inland Waters.” BioScience 55, no. 12 (December 2005): 1041–51. https://doi.org/10.1641/0006-3568(2005)055[1041:ooiw]2.0.co;2. 16 “FOX RIVER DOWN, FISH DYING; USE OF DAMS BLAMED.” Chicago Daily Tribune, May 24, 1936. https://www.proquest.com/hnpchicagotribune/docview/181789693/76D10610E5F24CF0PQ/10. 17 McNally, Tom. “Illinois to Start Stocking Trout Streams: Most Regulations for Fishing Are Unchanged.” Chicago Daily Tribune, March 29, 1959. https://www.proquest.com/hnpchicagotribune/docview/182262328/28E57DD580774529PQ/11.
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