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At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
USGS2025

Detection and genetic characterization of red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus and a novel genotype of nervous necrosis virus in black sea bass from the U.S. Atlantic coast

Nervous necrosis virus (NNV) causes a neurologic disease in a wide range of marine fish and poses serious disease risks to marine aquaculture worldwide. Little is known about the presence of NNV along the Atlantic coast of the United States, aside from the presence of barfin flounder nervous necrosis virus (BFNNV) in coldwater species in the northern part of this range. Herein we conducted surveillance for NNV from 2020 to 2022 in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States in black sea bass Centropristis striata , a serranid fish that is found throughout the eastern U.S. coast. Molecular detection methods have identified and characterized red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) sequences at low prevalence throughout the years. Further, in 2022, a higher prevalence of a novel NNV genotype, tentatively named black sea bass nervous necrosis virus (BSBNNV), was characterized for the first time. Though virus isolation was unsuccessful, this study was the first to genetically identify NNV in this region and in this species. These findings highlight the need for further research on NNV to understand epidemiology and virulence in the context of marine fisheries and an emerging marine aquaculture industry in the United States.

New Jersey↗
USGS2024

Shoreline slope influences movements of larval lampreys over dewatered substrate

Larval lampreys are filter feeders that live for several years burrowed in fine sediments in freshwater streams. Stream side channels and edges, where larval lampreys gather, are vulnerable to natural and human-caused dewatering. Water level reductions can strand and kill thousands of larval lampreys, in part because many remain burrowed until their habitats are exposed, at which point larvae must emerge and attempt to move over dewatered substrate to locate wetted habitat. Dewatering for restoration efforts or seasonal closures of irrigation canals can be done slowly to reduce lamprey strandings, but in some settings, mechanisms are lacking to control the dewatering rate. Phased dewatering, where water level is reduced in stages separated by periods of static water level, could provide options when dewatering rate cannot be tightly controlled. To guide this phased approach, information is needed on the movement capability of larval lampreys. We examined larval lamprey ( Entosphenus tridentatus and Lampetra spp.) movement distance and rate over dewatered substrate at shoreline slopes of 1%, 5%, 10% and 20% in a laboratory setting and modelled results using gamma regression models. Model results suggest both movement distance and movement rate increased with increasing slope and increasing larval length. We used the models to predict minimum distances and rates that 90%, 75% and 50% of medium-sized (75 mm) lampreys would move over dewatered substrates on slopes of 1%–20%. The models predicted that 50% of larvae could move distances of ≥31 cm at rates of ≥0.7 mm/s on a 1% slope and distances of ≥502 cm at rates of ≥8.6 mm/s on a 20% slope. We present an example scenario of how information on larval movement capabilities and shoreline slope could guide phased dewatering events to limit impacts to lampreys.

Aquaculture, Fish and Fisheries↗
USGS2025

Performance comparisons for artificially propagated and wild Pacific lamprey juveniles and larvae

Artificially propagated Pacific lamprey ( Entosphenus tridentatus ) are produced for restoration and for use in dam passage studies to reduce the demand for wild fish. Such uses require that animals are representative of their wild counterparts. Previous work indicated that this is true for Pacific lamprey larvae and juveniles reared in the hatchery with respect to the length of sustained swimming. However, more subtle differences in behaviour and performance that lamprey need to survive have not been assessed. In this study, artificially propagated and wild fish were compared in laboratory tests under no-flow conditions to examine light avoidance, burrowing speed, burst swim speed, volitional routine swim speed and time to come to rest. Most larvae burrowed in less than a minute, and we found highly significant differences ( p < 0.001) between artificially propagated and wild larvae burrowing times, a critical escape behaviour. This could have implications for studies of larval entrainment at irrigation diversion canals or in turbine boils at dams. Interestingly, all of the wild juveniles tested came to rest quickly after introduction to the chamber (1.5 min), while artificially propagated lamprey swam robotically near the surface and 48% did not come to rest in the first 10 min (median time to rest = 9.5 min). In contrast, wild juveniles quickly (median = 1.47 min) sought areas near the tank bottom and attached strongly with their oral disc. Such behavioural differences could have important survival consequences for artificially propagated lamprey as they approach turbine intakes, bypass screens and irrigation diversion headgates. This study highlights the need to conduct behavioural assays that examine subtleties of fish behaviour that can be missed with traditional swim tunnel comparisons.

Aquaculture, Fish and Fisheries↗
USGS2025

Blueprints for riverine cod nest boxes draw from multiple design considerations

Designing aquatic nest boxes is rarely afforded detailed scientific account. Here we provide some historical context for nest boxes used in production of large-bodied fishes of the Australian freshwater cod genus Maccullochella . Our experience with eastern freshwater cod is used as a case study to: (a) convey aspects of the complexity of the nest box design process and to (b) demonstrate the importance of visual literacy in project communication across the variety of contributors to the eco-design process. Specifically, we describe a new, two-variant, triangular nest box design for application in rivers and modifications to a standard stainless steel nest box for hatchery-pond-based spawning of eastern freshwater cod M. ikei . We designed the boxes to test adult preference for single versus double entrance/exits to cavities in hatchery and field environments. An important consideration specific to hatchery production is harvesting demersal, adhesive eggs prior to hatching to minimise fungal infection of eggs and physical loss of larvae, in addition to providing critical first feeding of larvae. In contrast, field nest box design incorporated multiple factors and associated trade-offs related to both internal and external design, ranging from manufacturer capability, material types, cost, transportability, hydrological performance, biodegradability, retrievability, as well as biological and ecological function. Only preliminary findings from field nest box deployments are provided here, and we focus primarily on elements of visual language in the form of conceptual drawings, sketches and final schematics which have been central to our process. We emphasise the benefit of harnessing input from multiple fields of expertise and documenting and testing designs of nest boxes for cavity nesting fishes, under both controlled hatchery and more complex field conditions.

Aquaculture, Fish and Fisheries↗
USGS2025

Sinoatrial contracaeciasis in Johnny Darters ( Etheostoma nigrum ) and Plains Topminnow ( Fundulus sciadicus ) from the South Platte drainage, Colorado

Intra-sinoatrial nematodes were incidentally recognized in wild-caught Colorado Johnny Darters ( Etheostoma nigrum , JD) in 2020–2021 and in Colorado Plains Topminnow ( Fundulus sciadicus , PTM) in 2023-2024. PTM and JD were evaluated histologically. Nematodes dissected from PTM were used for morphologic evaluation and molecular identification. The first and second internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) of ribosomal DNA were sequenced. Sinoatrial nematodes were found in two of 1232 JD (0.2%) and nine of 110 PTM (8.2%). Worms caused dilation or aneurysm of the sinus venosus. One JD had severe sinus venosus phlebitis. Morphologic, histologic and molecular features were diagnostic for Contracaecum spp. This is the first identification of larval Contracaecum in PTM, the first record of an intravascular nematode in this species, and the first documentation of vascular localization of Contracaecum larvae in JD. Vascular pathology could result in increased susceptibility to predation and favour the completion of the nematode life cycle. Parasites could become detrimental to population survival, especially those that are stressed by ecological and anthropogenic factors.

Colorado↗
USGS2025

Turning trash into treasure: Leveraging discarded filters for national-scale aquatic eDNA biomonitoring

Monitoring biodiversity changes over large spatiotemporal scales is critical for effective ecosystem conservation and management. This study investigates the potential of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to enhance national-scale biomonitoring of freshwater diversity by leveraging discarded filters associated with routine water quality sampling from the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Water Quality Network (NWQN). We tested 375 samples from 103 NWQN sites for eDNA of native and non-native fish and found that 52% of the filters yielded fish eDNA for a total of 70 fish species detections. Of the filters that had fish eDNA present, an average of 3.7 species were detected. Benchmarking these results to USGS's Aquatic Gap Analysis Project (AGAP)—which includes both field-verified observations along with predictive models derived from fish capture and landscape predictor datasets—we found that eDNA from these filters detected only a fraction of the observed and expected fish diversity for these sites. Our results indicate that these discarded filters may not be sufficient for eDNA sampling of fish communities and posit that alternative filter types more appropriate for eDNA sampling may yield more valuable biomonitoring data. Nevertheless, we tested the efficacy of two novel approaches to facilitate large-scale biomonitoring. Though these filters did not yield adequate fish eDNA, the AGAP database provides a useful method for ground truthing fish species presence. The potential of integrating eDNA sampling into existing monitoring frameworks, which, when paired with more optimal eDNA methods, could be a cost-effective strategy to enhance biodiversity monitoring at large scales.

Aquaculture, Fish and Fisheries↗
USGS2022

Fish carcass deposition to suppress invasive lake trout through hypoxia causes limited, non-target effects on benthic invertebrates in Yellowstone Lake

Invasive species can have negative effects on native biodiversity and ecosystem function, and suppression is often required to minimize the effects. However, management actions to suppress invasive species may cause negative, unintended effects on non-target taxa. Across the United States, lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush ) are invasive in many freshwater ecosystems, reducing native fish abundance and diversity through predation and competition. In an integrated pest management approach, lake trout embryos in Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming, are suppressed by depositing lake trout carcasses onto spawning sites; the carcasses reduce dissolved oxygen concentrations as they decay, causing embryo mortality. We conducted a field experiment during one ice-free season at four sites in Yellowstone Lake to investigate the non-target effects of carcass treatment on benthic invertebrates, which could have consequences for native fish diets. While overall invertebrate density and biomass did not respond to carcass treatment, Chironomidae midges and Sphaeriidae fingernail clams decreased in abundance. Carcass treatment altered invertebrate community structure based on density, but not biomass. Carcass treatment to suppress invasive fish embryos has spatially localized, non-target effects on some benthic invertebrate taxa. Given the small spatial extent of carcass treatment within the lake, we conclude it is unlikely that carcass treatment will alter food availability for native fishes.

Wyoming↗
USGS2022

Backpack electrofishing does not contribute to external signs of gas bubble trauma in sculpins

We exposed prickly sculpin Cottus asper and reticulate sculpin Cottus perplexus to electroshock and sham treatments in a controlled laboratory setting to determine if backpack electrofishing contributed to or exacerbated external signs of gas bubble trauma (GBT) in fish exposed to elevated total dissolved gas (TDG) levels. Fish were exposed to 115, 120 and 125% TDG (measured as percent of saturation) for various amounts of time (24–144 h) then subjected to a 5-s electroshock or sham treatment of no electroshock. Fish were examined to determine the incidence of GBT pre- and post-treatment, and all aspects (i.e., dorsal, ventral, left and right sides) of each fish were photographed. Across all TDG levels in all trials, no sculpin showed any change in GBT incidence following treatment. Analysis of GBT signs evident in photographs of 68 fish found no evidence of change in mean pre- and post-treatment gas bubble sizes in fish in any TDG trial, nor were any new gas bubbles found following treatment. We are aware of no physiological mechanism by which backpack electrofishing can cause GBT in sculpin, and as such, we believe using this gear should not increase GBT incidence rates in sculpin.

Aquaculture, Fish and Fisheries↗
USGS1994

Detection of Aeromonas salmonicida from water using a filtration method

Aeromonas salmonicida is a principal pathogen that contributes to mortality in hatchery-maintained Atlantic salmon that originated from the Connecticut and Merrimack rivers in the northeastern United States. Field tests were conducted to assess a filtration method for detection of A. salmonicida in water used to rear fishes. A presumptive identification of typical A. salmonicida was available within 72 h and the pathogen was confirmed within 96 h. This filtration method has been incorporated into daily management practices and provides results that allowed managers to make more informed decisions for fishery resources.

Aquaculture↗
USGS2020

A synthesis of the biology and ecology of sculpin species in the Laurentian Great Lakes and implications for the adaptive capacity of the benthic ecosystem

The Laurentian Great Lakes have experienced recent ecosystem changes that could lead to reductions in adaptive capacity and ultimately a loss of biodiversity and production throughout the food web. Observed changes in Great Lakes benthic communities include declines of native species and widespread success of invasive species like dreissenid mussels in all but Lake Superior. Understanding the ecology of native benthic deepwater preyfish and the reasons for their declines is important for predicting future losses in adaptive capacity and diversity, as well as managing the Great Lakes ecosystem to avoid such losses. Native sculpin species ( Cottus bairdii , C. cognatus , C. ricei , Myoxocephalus thompsonii ) historically were among the most abundant of the Great Lakes native deepwater benthic preyfish community and are an important link between offshore benthic and pelagic food webs. With one exception, these species have declined in abundance throughout the Great Lakes in recent years, but relatively little is known about their biology and ecology. This review synthesizes the available knowledge for the Great Lakes sculpin species and provides suggestions for future research efforts, which include understanding reproductive ecology and spawning behavior, connectivity and dispersal of populations, early life history, and influences of interactions with native and non-native species.

Great Lakes↗
USGS2021

Atlantic sturgeon status and movement ecology in an extremely small spawning habitat: The Nanticoke River-Marshyhope Creek, Chesapeake Bay

Biotelemetry of Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus has exposed spawning behaviors in ever-smaller estuaries, surprising for the NW Atlantic’s largest anadromous species. Small estuary — the Nanticoke River and Marshyhope Creek (Chesapeake Bay) — spawning-run adults and their habitat affinities are described based upon direct sampling and biotelemetry for the period 2014–2018. High rates of recapture over this period indicate a very small adult population size. Genetics revealed a very small effective population size ( N e = 12.2, 95% CI = 6.7–21.9). Most returns occurred during September at 20–27 °C. All fish departed as fall temperatures declined below 20 °C. Multi-beam sonar identified small-dispersed areas of sand-cobble and cobble, which could support adhesive embryo attachment. Movements of adults were higher during nighttime than daytime, with habitat preference for hard bottom habitats. Genetic evidence indicates that the sudden discovery of this population was unrelated to a hatchery release of several thousand juvenile sturgeon (Hudson River progeny) in 1997. The newly discovered population in the Nanticoke River exhibits a degree of resilience including multiple spawning regions and suitable spawning habitat. Still, critical vulnerabilities persist including curtailed habitat, continued agricultural and maritime development, invasive blue catfish, and a very small apparent population size.

Delaware, Maryland↗
USGS2025

Healing ogaa (walleye Sander vitreus) waters: Lessons and future directions for inland fisheries rehabilitation

ulturally, economically, and nutritionally valuable inland fisheries face many new challenges on top of chronic disturbances. In the upper midwestern United States, declines in cool- and coldwater fisheries have been observed, including ogaa/walleye Sander vitreus . In response to population declines, agencies have implemented rehabilitation efforts, and the frequency and intensity of efforts have increased recently given declines. Evaluating intervention outcomes is critical for institutional learning and to understand strategy effectiveness, but is difficult to do when multiple interventions are applied concurrently and in the absence of replication or controls. This review documents walleye rehabilitation efforts in the upper Midwest U.S., where a rehabilitation effort was defined as a coordinated effort with the stated intention to restore a self-sustaining population such that it required limited-to-no further intervention. We discuss: (1) strategies used; (2) similarities and differences in metrics of success; (3) factors leading to success; and (4) recommendations that may increase future successful rehabilitation. Strategies included harvest regulation changes, stocking, fish community manipulations, habitat enhancement, and partner discussions. Overall, evaluations of environmental, habitat, and fish community factors causing walleye population declines were not included in most rehabilitation plans before implementation. This review highlights an increased need for ecosystem-based fisheries management principles and cultivating ecological conditions that favor walleye as a potential path for future rehabilitation plans. Lessons drawn from rehabilitation plans are applicable to global inland fisheries to inform the conservation of declining fish populations.

Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin↗
USGS2009

Maintaining the competitiveness of the American Fisheries Society journals: An assessment based on influence and cost-effectiveness

Recent changes in the landscape of scientific publishing prompted the Publications Overview Committee of the American Fisheries Society (AFS) to review the Society's portfolio of scientific journals. We evaluated journals based on metrics in two categories: (1) citation-based measures of the influence of a journal on the scientific literature, and (2) measures of the cost-effectiveness of a journal (citation rate adjusted for subscription cost). Over the long-term, we found that ecology journals had far stronger citation-based influence than fisheries and aquatic sciences journals, and that journals publishing primarily basic research had stronger influence than journals publishing applied research (including four AFS journals and Fisheries magazine). In evaluating the current status of fisheries and aquatic sciences journals, we found that metrics of influence and cost-effectiveness provided considerably different portrayals of journals relative to their peers. In terms of citation-based influence, we found that the AFS journal Transactions of the American Fisheries Society (TAFS) and Fisheries magazine were competitive with highly regarded peer fisheries journals, but that North American Journal of Aquaculture (NAJA) and Journal of Aquatic Animal Health (JAAH) were less influential than their peers. The citation-based influence of North American Journal of Fisheries Management (NAJFM) was intermediate between TAFS/Fisheries and NAJA/JAAH . For journals like NAJFM and NAJA , we expect that much of the scientific influence on policy and management is not captured by citations in the primary literature, and alternative methods of evaluation may be needed. All of the AFS journals ranked highly with regard to cost-effectiveness because their subscription costs are low, and these rankings are in accordance with membership needs and the strategic mission of AFS to provide broad and timely dissemination of scientific information. We conclude by suggesting ways to increase the influence of AFS journals without compromising their accessibility and affordability, and offer advice about methods and frequency for future journal evaluations.

Fisheries↗
USGS1996

Federal-state aquaculture drug registration partnership: A success story in the making

During the past 20 years, aquaculture has grown both as a vital tool for fisheries management and as a viable industry. But now a crisis has arisen from the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) increased regulation of drug use in aquaculture in response to public concerns about human food safety, human health, and environmental effects. Lack of approved drugs and chemicals has dramatically reduced the effectiveness and increased the cost of fish production for natural resource management agencies. To make badly needed therapeutants available, the FDA is requiring an array of specialized laboratory research studies and clinical field trials. Pharmaceutical manufacturers are reluctant to undertake any major efforts to gain approval of aquaculture drugs because each (i.e., use on one species for one purpose) is estimated to cost a minimum of $3.5 million. Hence, the expenditure is not warranted by the apparent market potential. Only three therapeutants and one anesthetic are currently approved and available to hatchery managers.

Fisheries↗
USGS2005

Introduction [to Issue 3]

Artificial propagation of aquatic organisms is increasing globally and currently accounts for approximately 32% of total world fishery production (Vannuccini, 2004). Between 1970 and 2000, aquaculture production of salmonids has grown from less than 200,000 metric tons per year to over 1.5 million metric tons (Tacon, 2003). In 1995, the number of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) far exceeded the carrying capacity of salmon in the wild but over 94% of all adult Atlantic salmon were in aquaculture environments (Gross, 1998). Since the 1970’s, concerns have arisen about interactions of hatchery and wild produced salmonids in native habitats. In response, research has addressed concerns about domestication and genetic impacts (Reisenbichler and McIntyre, 1977; Hindar et al., 1991; Waples, 1991; Clifford et al., 1998a; Fleming et al., 2000, 2002; Hard et al., 2000), transfer of disease and parasites (Johnsen and Jensen, 1994; Bakke and Harris, 1998), behavior of spawning adults (Fleming and Gross, 1992; Fleming et al., 1994; Økland et al., 1995; Youngston et al., 1998), differences in fitness traits and life history (Jonsson et al., 1991; Thodesen et al., 1999; McGinnity et al., 2003), and behavioral interactions between hatchery and wild juvenile salmon (Swain and Riddell, 1990; Johnsson et al., 1996; Clifford et al., 1998b). Much of this research has been driven by concerns about the impacts of escaped farmed Atlantic salmon in the North Atlantic Ocean (Hansen et al., 1991). Studies of the interactions between hatchery and wild salmonids, with few exceptions (see Myers et al., 2000), have primarily focused on interactions in freshwater environments. Interactions between hatchery and wild fishes in estuarine and marine environments have not received the same attention, but may have signifi- cant impacts on wild populations. To address this issue, we organized a symposium held at the 2003 annual meeting of the Western Division of the American Fisheries Society in San Diego, California. The session was titled Interactions of Hatchery and Wild Fishes in Marine and Estuarine Environments and included nine presentations. All but one presentation focused on salmonids. This Special Issue of Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries includes five papers that were submitted to the symposium.

Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries↗