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Marking fingerling striped bass and blue tilapia with coded wire tags and microtaggants

Fingerling striped bass ( Morone saxatilis ) of two year classes were tagged in four body locations with coded wire tags and on two locations with Microtaggants (laminated plastic particles containing layers of fluorescent and magnetic material). Retention of coded wire tags ranged from 33% for tags in the nose to 100% for tags in the cephalic portion of the adductor mandibularis (a small muscle located below the eye). Twenty percent of the fish tagged with Microtaggants in 1982 retained tags after 471 d; 98% of the ones tagged in 1983 retained Microtaggants after 270 d. Fingerling blue tilapias ( Tilapia aurea ) were tagged on the body with Microtaggant particles and in the nose and epaxial muscle with coded wire tags. After 328 d, retention was 11% for Microtaggants. Coded wire tag retention was 93% for tags in the nose, 94% for tags in the epaxial muscle anterior to the dorsal fin, and 88% for tags in the muscle posterior to the dorsal fin. For striped bass, implantation of coded wire tags in the adductor mandibularis is recommended for long-term tag retention. Implantation of coded wire tags in the nose is recommended for blue tilapia for long-term retention. Microtaggants are not recommended for long-term tagging of either species, but are appropriate for short-term studies of 1 year or less.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management↗

Habitat suitability index curves for paddlefish, developed by the delphi technique

A Delphi exercise conducted with a panel of 11 experts on paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) and an evaluator resulted in 14 riverine habitat suitability index curves associating various life stages or activities of paddlefish with four variables: velocity, depth, substrate type, and temperature. The panel reached a consensus on six of the curves and eight to 10 panelists agreed on the others. Several panelists reported that they found the Delphi exercise to be a good learning experience, and they believed the technique is an appropriate interim method for developing suitability index curves when available data are inadequate for more conventional statistical analyses. Documentation of good paddlefish spawning habitat was the data need most commonly identified by the panelists.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management↗

Effect of brief navigation-related dewaterings on fish eggs and larvae

Short-term dewatering of nearshore spawning areas often occurs during passage of commercial tows in the upper Mississippi River as well as in other navigated river systems. This phenomenon was examined experimentally to identify potential effects on survival of fish eggs and larvae. Early life stages of walleyes ( Stizostedion vitreum vitreum ) and northern pike ( Esox lucius ) were dewatered 2 min in laboratory studies at intervals of either 1, 3, 6, or 12 h from just after fertilization to 10-14 d posthatch. Dewatering did not cause mortality of eggs, but significant mortality of larvae of both species occurred at dewatering frequencies of 1 or 3 h. Therefore, significant mortality first was observed at a frequency equivalent to a mean passage of eight tows per day.

upper Mississippi River↗

Comparative efficacy of 16 anesthetic chemicals on rainbow trout

Presently there are no legally registered fish anesthetics that allow for the release of fish or use of the fish for food soon after they have been anesthetized. MS-222 (tricaine), the only anesthetic registered for use on fish in the United States, cannot be used within 21 d of harvesting the fish for food. As the start in a search for an anesthetic that can be used with little or no withdrawal period, we tested the efficacy of 16 chemicals as anesthetics on rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri. Efficacy was defined by the fish (1) becoming handleable (quiet enough to be manipulated and handled readily) in 3 min or less, (2) recovering in 10 min or less, and (3) showing no mortality after 15 min in the anesthetic solution. Four chemicals--MS-222, quinaldine sulfate, benzocaine, and 2-phenoxyethanol--met these criteria for efficacy. Chemicals that yielded excessive induction or recovery times or caused excessive mortality were methylpentynol, chlorobutanol, etomidate, metomidate, Piscaine, propanidid, carbon dioxide, nicotine, salt, Halothane, Metofane, and Biotal. Because carbon dioxide leaves no residues and requires no withdrawal period, it may be an acceptable alternative for fishery workers who can tolerate somewhat shallower anesthesia and longer induction and recovery times.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management↗

Minimum tailwater flows in relation to habitat suitability and sport-fish harvest

The instream flow needs of four sport fishes (rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri , channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus , smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieui , and white crappie Pomoxis annularis ) were evaluated in the tailwater below Green River Lake, Kentucky. The Newcombe method, a simple procedure developed in British Columbia that is based on the distribution of water depths and velocities at various flows, was used to predict usable habitat at seven flows. Predicted usable habitat was two to six times greater for rainbow trout than for any of the other species at all flows. Angler harvest corresponded to the predicted abundance for rainbow trout and smallmouth bass, but the catch of channel catfish and white crappies was seasonally greater than expected. The presence of the dam and reservoir apparently disrupted the normal movement and feeding patterns of these species and periodically overrode the relation between usable habitat and abundance assumed in the Newcombe method. The year-round minimum flow of 4.6 m 3/s recommended for the tailwater would generally increase the amount of habitat available in the tailwater from April through October, and the minimum flow of 2.4 m3/s recommended for periods of drought would allow the maintenance of a trout fishery.

Kentucky↗

Toxicity of TFM lampricide to early life stages of walleye

We studied the effects of the lampricide 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) on gametes, newly fertilized eggs, eyed eggs, larvae, and swim-up fry of the walleye Stizostedion vitreum . When gametes from sexually mature walleyes were stripped into solutions of TFM, no effects were observed during the fertilization process at concentrations up to 3.0 mg/L—three times the concentration lethal to 99.9% of larval sea lampreys Petromyzon marinus held 12 h (LC99.9) under the same test conditions. Newly fertilized eggs likewise were unaffected during water hardening by concentrations of TFM that were lethal to sea lamprey ammocoetes. Eyed eggs, sac fry, and swim-up fry yielded LC25 values that were 2.5 to 5 times greater than the 12-h LC99.9 for sea lamprey ammocoetes. The data thus indicated that all of the early life stages of walleyes tested were considerably more resistant than sea lamprey ammocoetes to TFM, and that it is unlikely they would be adversely affected by standard stream treatments to kill sea lamprey ammocoetes.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management↗

Effects of variation in flow on distribution of northern squawfish ( Ptychocheilus oregonensis ) below McNary Dam on the Columbia River

The movements of 23 northern Squawfish Ptychocheilus oregonensis were monitored by radiotelemetry below a Columbia River hydroelectric dam during the out-migration of juvenile anadromous salmonids in 1984 and 1985. The work was done as part of a study to relate predator abundances and distribution to juvenile salmonid mortalities associated with dams. Northern Squawfish remained in protected shoreline areas in spring and early summer, when discharge rates were high, but moved close to the dam and the juvenile bypass outflow area in mid to late summer, when discharge rates were low. Trends in northern Squawfish movements were similar during abrupt changes in discharge rate. During short-term closures of the spillway, when flow patterns were abruptly changed, four of five northern Squawfish moved out of protected areas and into the main river channel. Surface water velocities at 81 locations occupied by radio-tagged northern Squawfish in June to August 1985 ranged from 0 to 70 cm/s (mean, 24.5 cm/s). No preference within this range was evident, but the fish seemingly avoided areas of high current velocity, because they did not move into a substantial portion of the tailrace where water velocities exceeded 100 cm/s. Modification of structures to maintain high water velocities around bypass outflow areas should reduce potential predation on juvenile salmonids by northern squawfish.

Oregon, Washington↗

Relation between distance transferred from natal stream and recovery rate for hatchery coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch

Distance transferred from the natal stream was negatively related to recovery rate (recruits per gram of juveniles released) for hatchery-reared coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch . This relation, which reflects the important influence of genetic adaptation and genetic differences among stocks on recovery rates and survival, should be useful in deciding whether or not to transfer fish.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management↗

Comparison of hatchery-reared lake trout stocked as fall fingerlings and as spring yearlings in Lake Ontario

We made 16 paired releases of lake trout Salvelinus namaycush of four year classes (1979–1982) at five locations to compare survival and growth of hatchery-reared fish stocked as fall fingerlings (FF) and as spring yearlings (SY). Comparisons were based on fish at ages 2–8 recovered with bottom trawls, with gill nets, and from anglers' catches. Mean lengths and weights were greater for SY than for FF at all ages, and SY attained sexual maturity at an earlier age than FF. The survival of FF may have been affected by average size at stocking and by the severity of the weather during the first winter after stocking. Survival ratios of SY to FF lake trout from stocking to age 2 ranged from 1.32:1 to 6.80:1, and a ratio of 2.41:1 was considered to be typical. Stocking cost per 1,000 fish was US$21.76 for FF and $35.45 for SY. Under the most cost-effective hatchery regime for producing lake trout (the maximum number of SY plus some FF to fully utilize hatchery space and personnel year round), rearing cost per 1,000 fish was estimated to be $235.41 for SY and $38.75 for FF.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management↗

Use of a portable electric barrier to estimate Chinook salmon escapement in a turbid Alaskan river

We developed a portable electric barrier to aid in the capture of adult chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha undergoing spawning migrations up a turbid stream in south-central Alaska. In 1981, we tagged and released 157 chinook salmon after diverting them from the main-stem Killey River into a conventional trap with the aid of the electric barrier. On the basis of returns of tagged salmon to Benjamin Creek, a clear-water tributary of the upper Killey River, we estimated spawners in the drainage to number 8,000 fish. Two different statistical approaches to the mark–recapture data yielded similar estimates. Through several modifications of the electric barrier, we were able to reduce mortality associated with the barrier's use.

Alaska↗

Efficacy of benzocaine as an anesthetic for salmonid fishes

Benzocaine was tested in the laboratory to determine the effective concentrations for anesthetizing juvenile chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and rainbow trout O. mykiss (formerly Salmo gairdneri ). Tests were conducted at three water temperatures, in waters ranging from very soft to very hard, and with groups of rainbow trout from 5 to 47 cm long and chinook salmon 20 cm long. Effective concentrations were defined as those that rendered the fish fully handleable in 3 min or less, allowed recovery of most fish within 10 min, and caused no mortality after 15-min exposures. Concentrations of 25–45 mg/L anesthetized both species over the entire range of conditions tested. Although efficacy was essentially unrelated to species or water quality, it was related to water temperature and size offish; the concentrations of benzocaine required were highest at the lowest water temperatures and for the largest fish.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management↗

Variation in capture efficiency of a beach seine for small fishes

We determined the capture efficiency of a beach seine as a means of improving abundance estimates of small fishes in littoral areas. Capture efficiency for 14 taxa (individual species or species groups) was determined by seining within an enclosure at night over fine and coarse substrates in the John Day Reservoir, Oregon–Washington. Mean efficiency ranged from 12% for prickly sculpin Cottus asper captured over coarse substrates to 96% for peamouth Mylocheilus caurinus captured over fine substrates. Mean capture efficiency for a taxon (genus or species) was generally higher over fine substrates than over coarse substrates, although mean capture efficiencies over fine substrates were significantly greater for only 3 of 10 taxa. Capture efficiency generally was not influenced by fish density or by water temperature (range, 8–26°C). Conclusions about the relative abundance of taxa captured by seining can change substantially after capture efficiencies are taken into account.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management↗

Comparison of fish catches with buoyant pop nets and seines in vegetated and nonvegetated habitats

Two models of pop nets were developed to sample fish in shallow riverine waters, one for use in vegetated areas and the other for nonvegetated areas. Both nets have a mechanical release mechanism that can be tripped from the water surface. Replicated field tests were conducted to compare pop-net catches with bag-seine collections every 2 weeks from May through mid-October. Overall, total catch per effort did not vary significantly ( P < 0.05) between the two gears at either the vegetated or nonvegetated site. However, collections with the pop net were not as diverse as with the seine at either sampling site, perhaps because the area sampled by pop nets (5.6 m 2 ) was smaller than the area swept by the average seine haul (70-140 m 2 ). The pop net effectively sampled fish in shallow nonvegetated habitats and was useful in heavily vegetated areas where seining or electroshocking was difficult.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management↗

Side-scan sonar mapping of lake trout spawning habitat in northern Lake Michigan

Native stocks of lake trout Salvelinus namaycush were virtually or completely extirpated from the lower four Great Lakes by the early 1960s. The failure of early attempts to reestablish self-sustaining populations of lake trout was attributed partly to the practice of stocking hatcheryreared juveniles at locations and over substrates that had not been used in the past for spawning by native fish. Subsequent attempts to improve the selection of stocking locations were impeded by the lack of reliable information on the distribution of substrates on historical spawning grounds. Here we demonstrate the potential of side-scan sonar to substantially expand the data base needed to pinpoint the location of substrates where lake trout eggs, fry, or juveniles could be stocked to maximize survival and help ensure that survivors returning to spawn would encounter suitable substrates. We also describe the substrates and bathymetry of large areas on historical lake trout spawning grounds in the Fox Island Lake Trout Sanctuary in northern Lake Michigan. These areas could be used to support a contemporary self-sustaining lake trout population in the sanctuary and perhaps also in adjacent waters.

Great Lakes↗

Downstream migration of recently metamorphosed sea lampreys in the Ocqueoc River, Michigan, before and after treatment with lampricides

The objectives of this study were to determine the effectiveness ofchemical treatments of the Ocqueoc River, Michigan, in reducing the number of recently metamorphosed sea lampreys Petromyzon marinus migrating to Lake Huron and to estimate total numbers of migrants produced before and after treatment. Sea lampreys were captured during their downstream migration in a single fyke net fished in the same location from September 1963 through August 1975. The catch, which averaged 3,474 sea lampreys (range, 3,248-3,913) during four migration periods (September-June) before treatment in 1968, declined to 4 during the 1974-1975 migration period. Markrecapture studies were conducted to determine the capture efficiency of the net for recently metamorphosed sea lampreys and to estimate the total downstream migration for each migration period. Estimated downstream migrations before treatment averaged 62,036 sea lampreys (range, 58,000-69,875) for four migration periods and declined to 71 during the 1974-1975 migration period. Catches were usually greater in fall than in spring. The fall peak in migratory activity was in November or December, and the spring peak was in April; both peaks occurred while water levels were high and water temperatures were near 5°C.

Michigan↗

Effects of water temperature on the mortality of field-collected fish marked with fluorescent pigment

The cumulative effects of collection, handling, and marking with fluorescent pigment on the mortality of adult minnows, young-of-the-year centrarchids, and large centrarchids and percids was determined at five water temperatures (10-20.6 degree C) in field trials. There have been few field trials of this type. The mortality of centrarchids and percids was directly related to temperature and decreased noticeably when the temperature was below 19.5 degree C. The mortality of minnows decreased somewhat as river temperatures cooled but was always at least 50%. Variation was high in the temperature-related patterns of mortality in different taxa and sizes of fish. This variation complicates the accuracy and usefulness of pigment in marking field-collected fish for mark-recapture studies in warmwater systems.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management↗

Sample size requirements and analysis of tag recoveries for paired releases of lake trout

A simple chi-square test can be used to analyze recoveries from a paired-release experiment to determine whether differential survival occurs between two groups of fish. The sample size required for analysis is a function of (1) the proportion of fish stocked, (2) the expected proportion at recovery, (3) the level of significance (∝) at which the null hypothesis is tested, and (4) the power (1 – β) of the statistical test. Detection of a 20% change from a stocking ratio of 50: 50 requires a sample of 172 (∝ = 0.10; 1 – β = 0.80) to 459 (∝ = 0.01; 1 – β = 0.95) fish. Pooling samples from replicate pairs is sometimes an appropriate way to increase statistical precision without increasing numbers stocked or sampling intensity. Summing over time is appropriate if catchability or survival of the two groups of fish does not change relative to each other through time. Twelve pairs of identical groups of yearling lake trout Salvelinus namaycush were marked with coded wire tags and stocked into Lake Ontario. Recoveries of fish at ages 2–8 showed differences of 1–14% from the initial stocking ratios. Mean tag recovery rates were 0.217%, 0.156%, 0.128%, 0.121%, 0.093%, 0.042%, and 0.016% for ages 2–8, respectively. At these rates, stocking 12,100–29,700 fish per group would yield samples of 172–459 fish at ages 2-8 combined.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management↗