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At least 1,477 records · Page 82Linked to original sources

Traveling around Cape Horn: Otolith chemistry reveals a mixed stock of Patagonian hoki with separate Atlantic and Pacific spawning grounds

Trace element fingerprints of edge and core regions in otoliths from 260 specimens of Patagonian hoki, Macruronus magellanicus L??nnberg, 1907, were analyzed by LA-ICPMS to reveal whether this species forms one or more population units (stocks) in the Southern Oceans. Fish were caught on their spawning grounds in Chile and feeding grounds in Chile and the Falkland Islands. Univariate and multivariate analyses of trace element concentrations in the otolith edges, which relate to the adult life of fish, could not distinguish between Atlantic (Falkland) and Pacific (Chile) hoki. Cluster analyses of element concentrations in the otolith edges produced three different clusters in all sample areas indicating high mixture of the stocks. Cluster analysis of trace element concentrations in the otolith cores, relating to juvenile and larval life stages, produced two separate clusters mainly distinguished by 137 Ba concentrations. The results suggest that Patagonian hoki is a highly mixed fish stock with at least two spawning grounds around South America. ?? 2009 Elsevier B.V.

Fisheries Research↗

Effects of activity and energy budget balancing algorithm on laboratory performance of a fish bioenergetics model

We evaluated the performance of the Wisconsin bioenergetics model for lake trout Salvelinus namaycush that were fed ad libitum in laboratory tanks under regimes of low activity and high activity. In addition, we compared model performance under two different model algorithms: (1) balancing the lake trout energy budget on day t based on lake trout energy density on day t and (2) balancing the lake trout energy budget on day t based on lake trout energy density on day t + 1. Results indicated that the model significantly underestimated consumption for both inactive and active lake trout when algorithm 1 was used and that the degree of underestimation was similar for the two activity levels. In contrast, model performance substantially improved when using algorithm 2, as no detectable bias was found in model predictions of consumption for inactive fish and only a slight degree of overestimation was detected for active fish. The energy budget was accurately balanced by using algorithm 2 but not by using algorithm 1. Based on the results of this study, we recommend the use of algorithm 2 to estimate food consumption by fish in the field. Our study results highlight the importance of accurately accounting for changes in fish energy density when balancing the energy budget; furthermore, these results have implications for the science of evaluating fish bioenergetics model performance and for more accurate estimation of food consumption by fish in the field when fish energy density undergoes relatively rapid changes.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗

Fish assemblages in borrow-pit lakes of the Lower Mississippi River

Borrow-pit lakes encompass about a third of the lentic water habitats (by area) in the active floodplain of the Lower Mississippi River, yet little is known about their fish assemblages. We investigated whether fish assemblages supported by borrow-pit lakes resembled those in oxbow lakes to help place the ecological relevance of borrow-pit lakes in context with that of natural floodplain lakes. In all, we collected 75 fish species, including 65 species in eight borrow-pit lakes, 52 species in four riverside oxbow lakes, and 44 species in eight landside oxbow lakes. Significant differences in several species richness metrics were evident between borrow-pit lakes and landside oxbow lakes but not between borrow-pit lakes and riverside oxbow lakes. All three lake types differed in fish assemblage composition. Borrow-pit lakes and riverside oxbow lakes tended to include a greater representation of fish species that require access to diverse environments, including lentic, lotic, and palustrine habitats; fish assemblages in landside oxbow lakes included a higher representation of lacustrine species. None of the fish species collected in borrow-pit lakes was federally listed as threatened or endangered, but several were listed as species of special concern by state governments in the region, suggesting that borrow-pit lakes provide habitat for sensitive riverine and wetland fish species. Differences in fish assemblages among borrow-pit lakes were linked to engineered morphologic features, suggesting that diversity in engineering can contribute to diversity in fish assemblages; however, more research is needed to match engineering designs with fish assemblage structures that best meet conservation needs.

Lower Mississippi River↗

Upstream movements of Atlantic Salmon in the Lower Penobscot River, Maine following two dam removals and fish passage modifications

The Penobscot River Restoration Project (PRRP), to be completed in 2016, involved an extensive plan of dam removal, increases in hydroelectric capacity, and fish passage modifications to increase habitat access for diadromous species. As part of the PRRP, Great Works and Veazie dams were removed, making Milford Dam the first impediment to federally endangered Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar . Upstream habitat access for Atlantic Salmon is dependent upon successful and timely passage at Milford Dam because nearly all suitable spawning habitat is located upstream. In 2014 and 2015, a total of 73 adult salmon were radio-tagged to track their upstream movements through the Penobscot River to assess potential delays at (1) the dam remnants, (2) the confluence of the Stillwater Branch and the main stem of the Penobscot River below the impassable Orono Dam, and (3) the Milford Dam fish lift (installed in 2014). Movement rates through the dam remnants and the Stillwater confluence were comparable to open river reaches. Passage efficiency of the fish lift was high in both years (95% and 100%). However, fish experienced long delays at Milford Dam, with approximately one-third of fish taking more than a week to pass in each year, well below the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission passage standard of 95% within 48 h. Telemetry indicates most fish locate the fishway entrance within 5 h of arrival and were observed at the entrance at all hours of the day. These data indicate that overall transit times through the lower river were comparable to reported movement rates prior to changes to the Penobscot River due to the substantial delays seen at Milford Dam. The results of this study show that while adult Atlantic Salmon locate the new fish lift entrance quickly, passage of these fish was significantly delayed under 2014–2015 operations.

Maine↗

Seasonal movements of nonnative White Catfish in the Penobscot River estuary

Objective White Catfish Ameiurus catus has been introduced to coastal watersheds across the United States. In the Penobscot River, Maine, this species has become increasingly common in upstream habitats that have been made accessible by recent dam removals. We characterized the movements of White Catfish to understand the temporal variation in their movement patterns and contextualize these findings within the recent changes in watershed connectivity. Methods We captured and tagged 10 adult White Catfish (mean fork length = 271 mm) with acoustic transmitters in the lower Penobscot River in July 2022. The movements of the tagged fish were monitored through April 2023 with a large network of stationary receivers. Results The tagged catfish were detected up to 6 km upstream and 31 km downstream from the release site. The total distance that was traveled by individuals ranged from 0 to 154 km during the study. Fall and spring movements were associated with changes in river flow and water temperature, but fish were relatively stationary from December through March, when at least five individuals were assumed to have overwintered in lower river tributaries. Conclusion Our results show that individual White Catfish may move considerable distances within large river systems and that these movements are potentially facilitated by changing river conditions. Collectively, this study fills a long-standing knowledge gap about the movement ecology of this species, adds context to help explain a recent increase in observations within their introduced range, and shows how changes in river conditions may be used to predict when and where these fish will move within a tidal system.

Maine↗

Linking ecosystem processes to consumer growth rates: Gross primary productivity as a driver of freshwater fish somatic growth in a resource-limited river

Individual growth can exert strong controls on population dynamics and be constrained by resource acquisition rates. Difficulty in accurately quantifying resource availability over large spatial extents and at high temporal frequency often limits attempts to understand the extent that resources limit individual growth. Daily estimates of stream metabolism, including gross primary productivity (GPP), are increasingly available but have not, to our knowledge, been linked to fish growth. Here we examine how GPP, water temperature, high flow and turbidity are linked to spatiotemporal variation in growth of flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis). We fit state space growth models to six years of mark-recapture data collected in four river reaches spanning 300 river kilometers. Consistent with past research in this system, we find that water temperature is the dominant driver of spatiotemporal variation in growth. However, we also find that GPP is strongly linked to fish growth. Fish growth is likely to be linked to stream metabolism in other systems where overall productivity, not the quality of primary producers, limits the food webs that support fish growth.

Arizona↗

Swimming performance of upstream migrant fishes in open-channel flow: A new approach to predicting passage through velocity barriers

The ability to traverse barriers of high-velocity flow limits the distributions of many diadromous and other migratory fish species, yet very few data exist that quantify this ability. We provide a detailed analysis of sprint swimming ability of six migratory fish species (American shad (Alosa sapidissima), alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis), striped bass (Morone saxatilis), walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), and white sucker (Catostomus commersoni)) against controlled water velocities of 1.5-4.5 m??s-1 in a large, open-channel flume. Performance was strictly voluntary: no coercive incentives were used to motivate fish to sprint. We used these data to generate models of maximum distance traversed, taking into account effects of flow velocity, body length, and temperature. Although the maximum distance traversed decreased with increasing velocity, the magnitude of this effect varied among species. Other covariate effects were likewise variable, with divergent effects of temperature and nonuniform length effects. These effects do not account for all of the variability in performance, however, and behavioral traits may account for observed interspecific differences. We propose the models be used to develop criteria for fish passage structures, culverts, and breached dams.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences↗

Structure of marine predator and prey communities along environmental gradients in a glaciated fjord

Spatial patterns of marine predator communities are influenced to varying degrees by prey distribution and environmental gradients. We examined physical and biological attributes of an estuarine fjord with strong glacier influence to determine the factors that most influence the structure of predator and prey communities. Our results suggest that some species, such as walleye pollock ( Theragra chalcogramma ), black-legged kittiwake ( Rissa tridactyla ), and glaucous-winged gull ( Larus glaucescens ), were widely distributed across environmental gradients, indicating less specialization, whereas species such as capelin ( Mallotus villosus ), harbor seal ( Phoca vitulina ), and Kittlitz's murrelet ( Brachyramphus brevirostris ) appeared to have more specialized habitat requirements related to glacial influence. We found that upper trophic level communities were well correlated with their mid trophic level prey community, but strong physical gradients in photic depth, temperature, and nutrients played an important role in community structure as well. Mid-trophic level forage fish communities were correlated with the physical gradients more closely than upper trophic levels were, and they showed strong affinity to tidewater glaciers. Silica was closely correlated with the distribution of fish communities, the mechanisms of which deserve further study.

Alaska↗

Endrin uptake and release by fingerling channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

Fingerling channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ) offered diets containing 0.04–4.0 μg endrin/g food (dry weight) rapidly accumulated the pesticide. Amounts in the tissues were directly proportional to amounts in the food. Dietary endrin had no measurable effect on growth or mortality. After endrin was withdrawn from the diet, it rapidly disappeared and could not be detected after 41 days. In fish exposed to 0.5 μg endrin/liter of water, mortalities began at tissue levels of 0.7 μg endrin/g of wet whole fish and total mortality occurred at levels near 1.0 μg/g.

Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada↗

Sterility method of pest control and its potential role in an integrated sea lamprey ( Petromyzon marinus ) control program

The sterility method of pest control could be an effective tool in the sea lamprey ( Petromyzon marinus ) control program in the Great Lakes. Some of the requirements for its successful application have been met. A field study demonstrated that the release of male sea lampreys, sterilized by the injection of 100 mg/kg of P , P -bis(1-aziridinyl)- N -methylphosphinothioic amide (bisazir), will reduce the number of viable larvae produced. The actual reduction in reproductive success that occurred was directly related to the ratio of sterile to normal males in the population. The technique can be used in many ways in an integrated control program and has considerable potential for the more effective control of the sea lamprey. Eradication is a distinct possibility. Key words : sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus ; pest control, fish control, sterile-male technique, sterilization, chemosterilants, bisazir, Great Lakes

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences↗

The value of certain drugs, especially sulfa drugs, in the treatment of furunculosis in brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis

Furunculosis of salmonoid fishes is a dread epizootic disease caused by a general infection by Bacterium salmonicida. In this experiment, treatment was tried with sulfonamides and another drug, “furacin” or “2–20–99” (new drug). The four treatments first used were: (1) sulfamerazine, (2) sulfathiazole, and (3) furacin, each administered by being mixed with the food; and (4) furacin added to the water of the troughs. For assignment of treatments, the troughs containing fingerling brook trout, approximately 8 months old and running 30 to the pound, were grouped in four blocks of five troughs–three blocks of fingerlings with furunculosis, and one block of fingerlings of similar age and size but free from this disease. In each block, one trough received no medication. The various treatments were assigned to troughs by random selection. The block of healthy fish was to test for possible serious ill effects from any of the treatments, and was located some distance from the infected fish. Treatments were begun August 30, 1945, and those involving sulfamerazine and sulfathiazole were continued through 25 days. The furacin treatments, less promising than the sulfonamide treatments, were replaced by sulfanilamide and sulfadiazine, each in the food, on the sixteenth day. Furacin in the water was not beneficial but furacin in the food had some helpful effect. Results with sulfanilamide and sulfadiazine were not encouraging. Sulfathiazole seems to have been more beneficial than furacin, but decidedly less effective than sulfamerazine. The improvement with sulfamerazine was impressive. Mortality dropped rapidly within a few days, generally was light after a week, and within 2 weeks almost completely stopped. Through 25 days, the loss was 17 percent, as compared with 50 percent among the infected lots not receiving medication. The data indicate that 8 grams of sulfamerazine per day per 100 pounds of fish is sufficient, and that a considerably lower dose is at least beneficial. Until further information is available, 8 grams of sulfamerazine per day per 100 pounds of fish, to be continued for at least 6 days after mortality stops, is recommended.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗

Movements of yellow perch marked in southern Green Bay, Lake Michigan, in 1950

To obtain information on the post-spawning movements of yellow perch that spawn in southern Green Bay, Lake Michigan, 4,172 fish caught in drop nets were marked by tagging with monel-metal strap tags attached to the right operculum and 24,799 were marked by clipping off the second or membranous dorsal fin. Marking was done during the period from May 3 to 17, 1950, at six main stations, all located in the southern end of Green Bay. The average length of the tagged perch was 7.3 inches and all fell within the range 5.5–14.4 inches. Most (90.9 percent) of the fish were below the minimum legal length of 8.0 inches. The follow-up procedure consisted of informing commercial and sports fishermen of the program and enlisting their cooperation in watching for marked fish; accounts of the investigation were released through newspapers and descriptive posters were distributed. The personnel connected with the investigation examined catches frequently. The large majority (101 or 79.5 percent) of the 127 tagged perch recaptured in the experimental nets during the marking operations were retaken at the tagging station at which they were released. Of the 108 tagged perch captured by commercial fishermen and anglers following the opening of the season on May 20, 96 were taken by drop nets, 6 by gill nets, and 6 by hook and line. The mean lengths for the three groups were 7.7, 7.1, and 9.25 inches, respectively. All recoveries were made in the Wisconsin waters of Green Bay. Most of the “open-season” recoveries (86 fish; 79.6 percent) were made during the period May 20-May 31. Recaptures during subsequent months were: June–14; July–7; August–none; September–1. Of the 86 perch recaptured May 20–31, 70 were retaken inside and 16 outside the tagging area. The majority (14 of 22) of those recovered after May 31 were retaken outside the tagging area. The average length of the 20 tagged yellow perch recaptured by drop nets (data restricted to fish from a single type of net to avoid bias from gear selectivity) outside the tagging area (8.42 inches) was 0.96 inch greater than the mean length (7.46 inches) of the 76 fish retaken inside the area. This statistically highly significant difference lends support to the belief of commercial fishermen that the larger of the yellow perch that spawn in southern Green Bay move out soon after spawning. The percentage of recapture of tagged perch increased sharply with increase in the size of the fish. Not one of 169 tagged fish less than 6.5 inches long was recovered. The rates of recapture at greater lengths were: 6.5 to 8.9 inches–2.5 percent; 9.0 to 9.9 inches–11.4 percent; 10.0 to 14.4 inches–16.7 percent. Among the several factors suggested in explanation of this relationship, the most important appear to be the lesser ability of the smaller fish to survive the rigors of handling and tagging, greater loss of tags from the smaller fish, and the greater likelihood of overlooking the smaller of the tagged fish in the sorting of the catch. The factors just mentioned and the lack of knowledge of the efficiency of measures taken to obtain records of recoveries preclude the 2.6-percent return of all tagged fish from being accepted as an approximation of the rate of recapture. Neither should the 6.6-percent return of tagged fish of legal size (8 inches and longer) be taken as an estimate of the rate of exploitation. Although 465 fin-clipped perch were recovered in the experimental nets during the marking operations, only 68 of 24,799 fish so marked were recovered after the fishing season opened. All but one of these 68 were retaken near the point of marking. The difficulty of detecting a perch with a missing membranous dorsal is believed to be a major cause of the poor returns from fin-clipped fish. These investigations have demonstrated that for studying migration of yellow perch, tagging is superior to fin-clipping as a method of marking. The technique of the tagging, however, needs to be improved, and better means must be found to trace tagged fish of small size. Furthermore certain small regions in the bay not at present open to commercial fishing must be explored in order to obtain more comprehensive information as to migration.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗

Distribution and migration of adult striped bass in Lake Whitney, Texas

Thirty adult (3.2–8.6 kg) striped bass Morone saxatilis were tagged with ultrasonic transmitters and tracked for up to 475 d in 9,510‐hectare Lake Whitney, a Texas reservoir, to determine seasonal distribution, migration patterns, and water temperatures occupied. Striped bass distribution in summer was limited to an area near the dam, where they survived temperatures as high as 29.0°C. Tagged fish generally were found in the coolest water available (27.0–29.0°C) that contained adequate dissolved oxygen (>4.0 mg/L) in summer and occupied the warmest water (7.4–8.8°C) in winter. For the rest of the year, the fish were distributed throughout available water temperatures. Beginning in autumn, most striped bass moved up the reservoir to and into the main tributaries and remained there until spring, when they returned to the main reservoir. No spawning run up main tributaries was observed in either of the two study years, possibly due to low inflows. Individual fish displayed a preference for certain areas to which they returned yearly.

Texas↗

Movements of adult chinook salmon during spawning migration in a metals-contaminated system, Coeur d'Alene River, Idaho

Spawning migration of adult male chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha was monitored by radio telemetry to determine their response to the presence of metals contamination in the South Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River, Idaho. The North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River is relatively free of metals contamination and was used as a control. In all, 45 chinook salmon were transported from their natal stream, Wolf Lodge Creek, tagged with radio transmitters, and released in the Coeur d'Alene River 2 km downstream of the confluence of the South Fork and the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River. Fixed telemetry receivers were used to monitor the upstream movement of the tagged chinook salmon through the confluence area for 3 weeks after release. During this period, general water quality and metals concentrations were monitored in the study area. Of the 23 chinook salmon observed to move upstream from the release site and through the confluence area, the majority (16 fish, 70%) moved up the North Fork, and only 7 fish (30%) moved up the South Fork, where greater metals concentrations were observed. Our results agree with laboratory findings and suggest that natural fish populations will avoid tributaries with high metals contamination.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗

Laboratory evaluation of a lake trout bioenergetics model

Lake trout Salvelinus namaycush , aged 3 and 6 years and with average weights of 700 and 2,000 g, were grown in laboratory tanks for up to 407 d under a thermal regime similar to that experienced by lake trout in nearshore Lake Michigan. Lake trout were fed alewife Alosa pseudoharengus and rainbow smelt Osmerus mordax , prey typical of lake trout in Lake Michigan. Of the 120 lake trout used in the experiment, 40 were fed a low ration (0.25% of their body weight per day), 40 were fed a medium ration (0.5% of their body weight per day), and 40 were fed a high ration (ad libitum). We measured consumption and growth, and we compared observed consumption with that predicted by the Wisconsin bioenergetics model. For lake trout fed the medium ration, model predictions for monthly consumption were unbiased. Moreover, predicted cumulative consumption by medium-ration lake trout for the entire experiment (320 d for smaller lake trout and 407 d for larger lake trout) agreed quite well with observed cumulative consumption; predictions were as close as within 0.1 to 5.2% of observed cumulative consumption. Even so, the model consistently overestimated consumption by low-ration fish and underestimated consumption by high-ration fish. The bias was significant in both cases, but was more severe for the low-ration trout. Because the low-ration and high-ration regimes were probably unrealistic for lake trout residing in Lake Michigan and because the model fit our laboratory data rather well for medium-ration trout, we conclude that applying the Wisconsin bioenergetics model to the Lake Michigan lake trout population in order to estimate the amount of prey fish consumed by lake trout each year is appropriate.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗

Growth and food consumption by tiger muskellunge: Effects of temperature and ration level on bioenergetic model predictions

We measured growth of age-0 tiger muskellunge as a function of ration size (25, 50, 75, and 100% C max ) and water temperature (7.5–25°C) and compared experimental results with those predicted from a bioenergetic model. Discrepancies between actual and predicted values varied appreciably with water temperature and growth rate. On average, model output overestimated winter consumption rates at 10 and 7.5°C by 113 to 328%, respectively, whereas model predictions in summer and autumn (20–25°C) were in better agreement with actual values (4 to 58%). We postulate that variation in model performance was related to seasonal changes in esocid metabolic rate, which were not accounted for in the bioenergetic model. Moreover, accuracy of model output varied with feeding and growth rate of tiger muskellunge. The model performed poorly for fish fed low rations compared with estimates based on fish fed ad libitum rations and was attributed, in part, to the influence of growth rate on the accuracy of bioenergetic predictions. Based on modeling simulations, we found that errors associated with bioenergetic parameters had more influence on model output when growth rate was low, which is consistent with our observations. In addition, reduced conversion efficiency at high ration levels may contribute to variable model performance, thereby implying that waste losses should be modeled as a function of ration size for esocids. Our findings support earlier field tests of the esocid bioenergetic model and indicate that food consumption is generally overestimated by the model, particularly in winter months and for fish exhibiting low feeding and growth rates.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗

Natural thermal refugia for temperate warmwater stream fishes

The seasonal use of an Ozark spring branch by fishes was evaluated from January 1993 to January 1995. Temperatures in the spring branch were fairly constant, at 13.5 ± 1°C, and usually exceeded the temperature of a receiving stream during the November–March coldwater period. Black redhorse Moxostoma duquesnei , smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu , shadow bass Ambloplites ariommus , and longear sunfish Lepomis megalotis showed a temporal pattern of use in the spring branch. The lowest use was during the April–October warmwater period, and the greatest use was during the coldwater period. During cold periods, biomass of these four species in the spring branch was significantly greater and fish size significantly larger than in similar habitats in the adjoining stream. The weight per unit length of fish using the spring branch during cold periods was also significantly greater. Shadow bass and longear sunfish had significantly greater relative stomach contents than conspecifics in equivalent habitats from the adjoining stream, but had similar relative numbers of eggs. Large concentrations of adult fish used spring branches during the coldwater period, and these fish may be more vulnerable to angling than conspecifics in similar habitats in adjoining streams dominated by surface water. Thus, we suggest that stream managers consider the usefulness of fish refuges in spring branches and adjacent thermally influenced areas.

Missouri↗

Refining boat electrofishing equipment to improve consistency and reduce harm to fish

A major concern with electrofishing is the standardization of sampling equipment and methods, particularly when collections are used to monitor spatial and temporal changes in fish communities. Standardization can not only ensure that stock assessment is consistent - that is, the data collected over time and space have equal meaning and are not influenced by differences in gear or gear application - but also reduce injury by constraining power to ranges that are likely to immobilize fish but unlikely to harm them. Standardization of electrofishing equipment requires adjusting power output to keep constant the amount of power transferred to fish in diverse water conditions. In this study, the power level thresholds required to immobilize and injure fish under controlled laboratory conditions were identified for various size-species combinations and applied to establish power minima and maxima suitable for successful and safe boat electrofishing. The target settings identified allowed survival of 99.4% of the fish collected and held for 2-3 h during field trials; all the mortalities were small fish (???53 mm long). The standardization procedure described herein may be adapted to single boats or fleets and can promote consistency in electrofishing, although it does not completely avoid harm to fish. Because electrofishing is an active capture method applied to changing microenvironments, complete standardization and total avoidance of harm to individual fish are not feasible with present technology, but standardization of controllable variables is advisable.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management↗