Marking Fish Habitat Structures for Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT)

Background

The mission of Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism (KDWPT) is to conserve and enhance its wildlife populations and their habitats, as well as offering the public opportunities for the use and appreciation of the natural resources.

Kansas boasts 26+ large reservoirs, 2 large dams, 40 large lakes of at least 65 acres, more than 200 smaller, local lakes, and 10,000 miles of streams. Fishing for species such as bass, catfish, crappie, perch, and walleye is the main attraction at these bodies of water. Management of the fisheries is challenging due to the large volume of anglers in Kansas’ lakes and inland waters.

The Challenge

Increasing sport fish angling opportunities for the approximate 450,000 anglers who reside in or visit the state is at the heart of KDWPT’s business focus. They do this by balancing multi-use state mandates for the users of all water resources, juggling the problems associated with outdated dams, reservoirs and other related infrastructure, and attempting to mitigate the negative effects of climate change. Fish habitat structures are one tool which KDWPT uses to manage fish stocks.

The Solution

To help increase the success of habitat and fisheries management and increase angling opportunities, man-made cubes, dead oak trees and brush piles are submerged in water bodies to serve as habitat structures and fish attractors.

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism selected Sealite’s SL-B1060 Spar Buoys to mark these important habitat structures. The buoys provide a visual warning to anglers and boaters about local navigation regulations that help ensure structures and fisheries are undisturbed and collision risk between boaters and structures is minimized, as well as allowing anglers to identify where possible fishing opportunities exist.

All Sealite Regulatory Buoys utilize USCG approved retroreflective graphics for highly visible and important navigation information. Stabilizing compounds added to the polyethylene help protect the buoys against degrading effects of UV exposure. Toxic chemicals or heavy metals are never used in the production of the buoys. Uniform thickness, resulting from Sealite’s rotational molding production process, produces buoys with exceptional strength, durability and service life. The Sealite Buoys are exceptional value for federal and state agencies, local municipalities and law enforcement agencies who have the responsibility for public safety on the water.

“Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism utilize Sealite Regulatory Buoys for designating “no wake” areas, prohibiting the entry of motorized vessels into certain areas, and marking hazardous structures and areas which may pose a danger to recreational boaters. We are satisfied with the quality of the buoy’s and their ability to hold up to the changing weather elements on Kansas waters. The durability of the buoys are able to withstand high winds, large changes in temperature fluctuations as well as iced in conditions. Working with Sealite in regard to placing orders, questions, and required markings, such as on the information buoy marking fish structures has always been pleasant and professional.”

– Major Dan Hesket, Assistant Division Director of Law Enforcement