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At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
USGS2026

An integrated drought early warning system to support coldwater fisheries management

Low streamflow resulting from drought and human water use is a threat to freshwater fisheries throughout western North America, creating a need for effective tools to aid management and fisheries use. We developed a drought early warning framework that forecasts river conditions that could result in temporary fishery closures and restrictions across Montana’s renowned trout fisheries. This tool provides reach-specific, probabilistic decision support for proactive management under drought conditions. We calibrated statistical models using historical streamflow and stream temperature data from U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gauges to predict the likelihood of exceeding the low-flow and high-temperature thresholds for fisheries closure within 1- to 4-week outlooks during the warm season (May–October). These forecasts demonstrated consistently high model performance in predicting the criteria for low-flow fishing closure across all rivers (4-week outlook: mean R 2 = 0.96, IQR [interquartile range]: 0.94–0.97) and variable but often high model performance for temperature-based restriction criteria (mean R 2 = 0.80, IQR: 0.55–0.86), particularly at sites that frequently experience higher stream temperature conditions. This drought early warning system—available via the web-based tool TroutCast ( https://www.usgs.gov/apps/troutcast/ )—provides daily updated seasonal forecasts to help anticipate effects to recreational fishing opportunities. By quantifying forecast uncertainty and providing reach-specific probabilities, the system supports proactive management, improves coordination between fisheries and water managers, and provides stakeholders with actionable information on probable future effects on fishing access within a framework that is broadly applicable to other freshwater systems and water resource management challenges.

Montana↗
USGS2025

Management strategy evaluation to assess trade-offs associated with invasive Blue Catfish fisheries and predation impacts

Objective Many species are intentionally introduced beyond their native range to provide benefits to humans (e.g., food, recreation, or biocontrol). However, introduced species can become invasive and can harm native species, prompting resource managers to explore options to simultaneously conserve native biota and enhance fishing opportunities. Management of Chesapeake Bay Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus is complicated because the species supports a renowned trophy fishery and commercial and recreational harvest but also negatively affects native species. Consequently, there is uncertainty and disagreement on how to balance trade-offs associated with varying stakeholder interests. Methods We used a management strategy evaluation to project Blue Catfish population dynamics into the future under different fishery policies to understand whether fishery yield, trophy fishing opportunities, and predation on the economically and ecologically important blue crab Callinectes sapidus could be optimized in the James River, a Chesapeake Bay subestuary. Results Simulated population trajectories indicated that objectives related to maintaining fisheries and conserving prey populations were in conflict. Policies that increased the yield and abundance of trophy-size Blue Catfish (≥100 cm total length) generally increased predation on the blue crab, which supports a valuable fishery. Intense harvest of smaller length-classes and protection of larger Blue Catfish yielded outcomes in which trophy fish abundance increased and blue crab predation declined compared to baseline conditions. However, these outcomes were generally associated with lower Blue Catfish yields after 25 years. There were zero scenarios in which the fishery yield increased and blue crab predation decreased after 25 years. Policies limiting the harvest of small Blue Catfish resulted in large population abundances, suggesting that reducing the abundance of small fish could be important for reducing impacts on native species. Conclusions This study supports the importance of management planning to develop objectives and performance measures based on an improved understanding of trade-offs associated with harvest management for a nonnative fish with economic value.

Virginia↗
USGS2019

Examining progress toward achieving the Ten Steps of the Rome Declaration on Responsible Inland Fisheries

Inland capture fisheries provide food for nearly a billion people and are important in the livelihoods of millions of households worldwide. Although there are limitations to evaluating many of the contributions made by inland capture fisheries, there is growing recognition by the international community that these services make critical contributions, most notably to food security and livelihoods in rural populations in those low-income countries with extensive freshwater resources. With the increasing appreciation of the key role of inland fisheries to the health and well-being of human populations globally, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Michigan State University convened the 2015 global conference, Freshwater, fish, and the future – cross-sectoral approaches to sustain livelihoods, food security, and aquatic ecosystems. What emerged from the interactions between inland fisheries scientists, resource managers, policy makers, and community representatives from across the world, was a forward-looking call-to-action culminating with the 2015 Rome Declaration “Ten Steps to Responsible Inland Fisheries” (FAO and MSU 2016). Four years after this landmark conference and Declaration, we seek to advance discussion on the “Ten Steps,” namely, what successful implementation looks like, assess current examples of implementation, suggest potential signals of progress, and provide some specific, indicative examples of progress for each step. While there are promising signs of progress, we conclude that there remains a strong need to galvanize momentum for sustained action to ensure that inland fish and fisheries are accounted for and incorporated into broader water resource management discussions and frameworks.

Fish and Fisheries↗
USGS2017

The contribution of lakes to global inland fisheries harvest

Freshwater ecosystems provide numerous services for communities worldwide, including irrigation, hydropower, and municipal water; however, the services provided by inland fisheries – nourishment, employment, and recreational opportunities – are often comparatively undervalued. We provide an independent estimate of global lake harvest to improve biological and socioeconomic assessments of inland fisheries. On the basis of satellite-derived estimates of chlorophyll concentration from 80,012 globally distributed lakes, lake-specific fishing effort based on human population, and output from a Bayesian hierarchical model, we estimated that the global lake fishery harvest in the year 2011 was 8.4 million tons (mt). Our calculations excluded harvests from highly productive rivers, wetlands, and very small lakes; therefore, the true cumulative global fishery harvest from all freshwater sources likely exceeded 11 mt as reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This putative underestimate by the FAO could diminish the perceived importance of inland fisheries and perpetuate decisions that adversely affect these fisheries and millions of people.

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment↗
USGS2017

Inland fisheries – Invisible but integral to the UN Sustainable Development Agenda for ending poverty by 2030

The United Nations’ (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development defines the formidable challenge of integrating historically separate economic, social, and environmental goals into a unified ‘plan of action for people, planet, and prosperity.’ We highlight the substantial contribution inland fisheries can make towards preventing increased poverty and, in some cases, alleviating poverty (i.e. addressing Sustainable Development Goal [SDG] 1: No Poverty) as an opportunity to inform the next set of development agendas and their associated budgets and priorities. Overlooking the contribution of inland fisheries to poverty prevention and alleviation may undermine the capacity to successfully meet the development goals, especially in rural communities in Low-Income Food-Deficit countries. Inland fisheries are essential for food and economic security as the vast majority are small-scale operations or subsistence, predominantly used by poorer groups. Protecting inland fisheries from diverse threats from other water users and associated sectors requires robust, multi-sectoral, and multinational policies that can be brought about by global initiatives like the SDGs. Without such protection, their vital contribution towards sustainable livelihoods and poverty issues becomes uncertain. Further, integrating inland fisheries into sustainable development frameworks strengthens the likelihood of achieving the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development. In this perspective article, we posit that including inland fisheries in national policy statements and programs can prove beneficial to promoting economic and social growth for the poor, preventing further poverty, and achieving SDG 1 and other SDG targets, especially those related to food security.

Global Environmental Change↗
USGS2009

Determining the efficacy of microsatellite DNA-based mixed-stock analysis of Lake Michigan’s lake whitefish commercial fishery

Management of commercially exploited fish should be conducted at the stock level. If a mixed stock fishery exists, a comprehensive mixed stock analysis is required for stock-based management. The lake whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis comprises the primary commercial fishery across the Great Lakes. Recent research resolved that six genetic stocks of lake whitefish were present in Lake Michigan, and long-term tagging data indicate that Lake Michigan's lake whitefish commercial fishery is a mixed stock fishery. The objective of this research was to determine the usefulness of microsatellite data for conducting comprehensive mixed stock analyses of the Lake Michigan lake whitefish commercial fishery. We used the individual assignment method as implemented in the program ONCOR to determine the accuracy level at which microsatellite data can reliably identify component populations or stocks. Self-assignment of lake whitefish to their population and stock of origin ranged from > 96% to 100%. Evaluation of genetic stock discreteness indicated a moderately high degree of correct assignment (average = 75%); simulations indicated supplementing baseline data by ∼ 50 to 100 individuals could increase accuracy by up to 4.5%. Simulated mixed stock commercial harvests with known stock composition showed a high degree of correct proportional assignment between observed and predicted harvest values. These data suggest that a comprehensive mixed stock analysis of Lake Michigan's lake whitefish commercial fishery is viable and would provide valuable information for improving management.

Michigan, Wisconsin↗
USGS2020

COVID-19 pandemic impacts on global inland fisheries

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to environmental recovery in some ecosystems from a global “anthropause,” yet such evidence for natural resources with extraction or production value (e.g., fisheries) is limited. This brief report provides a data-driven global snapshot of expert-perceived impacts of COVID-19 on inland fisheries. We distributed an online survey assessing perceptions of inland fishery pressures in June and July 2020 to basin-level inland fishery experts (i.e., identified by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations across the global North and South); 437 respondents from 79 countries addressed 93 unique hydrological basins, accounting for 82.1% of global inland fish catch. Based on the responses analyzed against extrinsic fish catch and human development index data, pandemic impacts on inland fisheries 1) add gradation to the largely positive environmental narrative of the global pandemic and 2) identify that basins of higher provisioning value are perceived to experience greater fishery pressures but may have limited compensatory capacity to mitigate COVID-19 impacts along with negative pressures already present.

PNAS↗
USGS2019

Adapting to climate change: Guidance for the management of inland glacial lake fisheries

Climate change is altering glacial lake fisheries in the United States, presenting a complex challenge for fisheries managers. Here we provide a regional perspective to guide management of heterogeneous and yet interdependent fishery resources in glacial lakes of the upper Midwest. Our main objective was to promote the adaptation of inland glacial lakes fisheries management to climate change by outlining processes that support regional plans. Using examples from the glacial lakes region, we outline an approach for regional prioritization, specify strategies for moving from regional prioritization to on-the-ground action, and provide guidance on the implementation of management plans given resource limitations and potential stakeholder conflict. We find that integrating ecological, social, and economic data with climate change vulnerability assessments can be useful in generating “lake-priority levels” to help identify where to focus actions to support system resilience. Managers can use lake-priority levels and ecosystem-specific strategies to make decisions about where and when to apply fisheries management action ranging from traditional (i.e., stocking, harvest regulations) to nontraditional approaches (i.e., catchment land management). Although the implementation of several approaches may be beyond an agency’s financial and logistical capacity, funds can be secured through other sources ranging from grant programs to nontraditional partnerships identified by “thinking outside the lake.” Regional plans may be an important step toward successful climate adaptation for inland glacial lakes fisheries management, and the proactive efforts of managers may help facilitate their development and implementation.

Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin↗
USGS2025

Integrating marine historical ecology into management of Alaska’s Pacific cod fishery for climate readiness

The Pacific cod ( Gadus macrocephalus ) fishery was closed in 2020 after a rapid decline in biomass caused by the marine heat waves of 2014–2019. Pacific cod are exceptionally thermally sensitive and management of this fishery is now challenged by increasingly unpredictable climate conditions. Fisheries monitoring is critical for climate readiness, but short-term monitoring data may be inadequate for recognizing and anticipating change under rapid climate changes. We propose an interdisciplinary, marine historical ecology framework that looks to long-term records (local and traditional knowledge, history, archaeology, and paleoclimatology) to capture a long range of ecological variability and provide historical context for management. In order to connect to contemporary fisheries management, this framework must be built on a common vocabulary and an understanding of the key metrics used in fisheries stock assessments. Here, we propose metrics derived from Pacific cod stock assessment and synthesize information relevant to understanding the effects of past warming periods on cod populations across the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. This case study provides a framework for thinking about how to use these historical records in the context of fisheries management under rapidly changing climate conditions.

Alaska↗
USGS2025

A review of standardization in Mississippi’s multidecadal inland fisheries monitoring program

Standardizing data collection, management, and analysis processes can improve the reliability and efficiency of fisheries monitoring programs, yet few studies have examined the operationalization of these tasks within agency settings. We reviewed the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Fisheries Bureau’s inland recreational fisheries monitoring program—a 30+-year effort to standardize field protocols, data handling procedures, and automated analyses through a custom-built computer application, the Fisheries Resources Analysis System (FRAS). Drawing on quantitative summaries of sampling trends and qualitative interviews with fisheries managers, we identified key benefits, challenges, and opportunities associated with the Bureau’s standardization efforts. Standardized procedures improved sampling consistency, data reliability, and operational efficiency, enabling the long-term tracking of fish population and angler metrics across more than 270 managed waterbodies. However, challenges related to analytical transparency and spatiotemporal comparisons persist. Simulations indicated that under current conditions, 5.8, 22.9, and 37.1 years would be required to sample (boat electrofishing) 50%, 75%, and 95% of the Bureau’s waterbodies at least once, respectively; these figures should translate to other agencies, assuming similar resource availability per waterbody. The monitoring program has reduced manual processing effort and enhanced staff capacity for waterbody-specific management, yet several opportunities remain to improve efficiency and utility. These include expanding FRAS functionalities for trend visualization, integrating mobile field data entry to reduce transcription errors, linking monitoring results with management objectives, and enhancing automated report generation for management support. Strengthening these elements could not only streamline workflows but better position agencies to apply standardized data in adaptive management embedded into the monitoring program.

Mississippi↗
USGS1996

Water transfer projects and the role of fisheries biologists

Water transfer projects are commonly considered important mechanisms for meeting increasing water demands. However, the movement of water from one area to another may have broad ecosystem effects, including on fisheries. The Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society held a symposium in 1995 at Virginia Beach, Virginia, to discuss the ecological consequences of water transfer and identify the role of fisheries biologists in such projects. Presenters outlined several case studies, including the California State Water Project, Garrison Diversion Project (North Dakota), Lake Texoma Water Transfer Project (Oklahoma-Texas), Santee-Cooper Diversion and Re-diversion projects (South Carolina), and Tri-State Comprehensive Study (Alabama-Florida-Georgia). Results from these studies suggest that fisheries biologists have provided critical information regarding potential ecological consequences of water transfer. If these professionals continue to be called for information regarding the ecological consequences of water transfer projects, developing a broader understanding of the ecological processes that affect the fish species they manage may be necessary. Although the traditional role of fisheries biologists has focused on the fishing customer base, fisheries management issues are only one component of the broad spectrum of ecosystem issues resulting from water transfer.

Conference Paper↗
USGS2016

First steps for mitigating bycatch of Pink-footed Shearwaters Ardenna creatopus: Identifying overlap of foraging areas and fisheries in Chile

The Pink-footed Shearwater, Ardenna creatopus, is listed as in danger of extinction by Chile and under Annex 1 of ACAP, with an estimated global population of approximately 56,000 individuals. Incidental bycatch of this species in fisheries is thought to be an important cause in population decline (i.e. annual estimated mortality of >1000 adults). This species is an endemic breeder in Chile, nesting only on the Juan Fernandez Archipelago (JFI; 30% of global population), and Isla Mocha (70% of global population). Using miniature GPS and satellite transmitters, we determined foraging areas of Pink-footed Shearwaters during the chick-rearing period in 2002 (JFI) and 2015-2016 (Isla Mocha). We overlaid shearwater tracking data with data from the Instituto de Fomento Pesquero (IFOP) on fishing effort in Chile (type of fishery, number sets per day, location of sets, and target species) to identify fisheries and fishing zones with the greatest potential for Pink-footed Shearwater bycatch. During the 2002-2006 (N = 28 birds total) and 2015 (N = 18 birds) breeding periods, foraging areas were associated with the continental shelf and shelf-break, generally less than 30 km offshore. All foraging trips occurred between 31.5 and 40.0 degrees south, and birds remained in Chile territorial waters 100% of the time. We identified two primary foraging hotspots, one offshore near Talcahuano, Chile (approximately 36-37.5° south), and one offshore north of Valdivia, Chile (approximately 39-39.5° south). Birds tracked from the Juan Fernández Archipelago foraged in the Talcahuano hotspot but did not visit the southerly hotspot near Valdivia. Birds tracked from Isla Mocha used both areas, with a greater proportion of birds using the Valdivia hotspot than the Talcahuano hotspot. Other major areas of use were around the respective breeding colonies from which the birds were tracked. Overlay of these data with fisheries data is currently in progress. Preliminary results indicate extensive overlap of Pink-footed Shearwater foraging grounds with industrial and artisanal purse-seine fisheries within Chile, representing a significant risk of bycatch. Further work could be initiated to track Pink-footed Shearwaters during other life-stages (i.e. pre-breeding and incubation), and would enhance collaborative efforts with fisheries managers and fishers concerned with mitigating bycatch.

Conference Paper↗
USGS2021

The impact of COVID-19 on freshwater fisheries fieldwork and data collection

COVID-19 has affected almost every aspect of society including freshwater fisheries fieldwork. Our study quantified the effects of the pandemic on fisheries fieldwork in the United States. We administered a survey to fisheries chiefs in all 50 states to assess the pandemic’s impact on fisheries fieldwork. Of the 37 participants, 91% reported the pandemic affected their fieldwork and 92% adapted their sampling methods in response to the pandemic. Common adaptation strategies included using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE; 100%), practicing social distancing (97%), using smaller crews (82%), and developing contingency plans (51%). Based on the survey results, we identified potential challenges to adaptations and offered strategies to improve them. Strategies we identified include adopting novel data collection techniques, finding new positions for temporary employees, and publicly sharing contingency plans. Ultimately, this paper offers novel guidance on how fisheries professionals can best move forward with fieldwork during a time of crisis.

Fisheries Magazine↗
USGS2024

Communication approaches and specialists that can improve fisheries management

This paper aims to expand fisheries managers' understanding of how the science of communication can facilitate effective fisheries management. We offer context-specific definitions of four communication approaches that are commonly performed by fisheries managers but poorly defined and can easily be confused or conflated. These are as follows: Outreach, Education, Social Marketing, and Engagement. Further, we explain key evidence-based principles that support each communication approach and offer practical examples of their application. Finally, we highlight different communication research fields that produce social science for communication practitioners to use in the context of fisheries management. These explanations support our claim that effective communication is required to meet the professional needs of fisheries managers and encompasses meeting the needs of their audiences.

Fisheries Magazine↗
USGS2021

Stock composition of the historical New York Bight Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) intercept fishery revealed through microsatellite analysis of archived spines

A targeted commercial fishery for Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus once operated in the New York Bight, where it was assumed that most harvested Atlantic Sturgeon were natal to the Hudson River population. However, more recent evidence suggests that the fishery may have been targeting a mixed-stock aggregation, in which case harvested Atlantic Sturgeon could have been comprised of individuals from multiple populations throughout the species’ range. Although there is now a moratorium on Atlantic Sturgeon harvest in the New York Bight, modern molecular approaches provide an opportunity to use archived tissues to perform a retrospective mixed-stock analysis on the fishery. Genomic DNA extracted from archived fin spines from 80 Atlantic Sturgeon collected nearly 30 years ago suggests that the fishery primarily harvested individuals from the Hudson River population. However, based on individual-based assignment tests, our results indicate that the fishery also harvested individuals from at least eight other populations located throughout the species’ range. This study highlights how archival hard parts that were previously used for age and growth analyses can be employed for retrospective genetic analyses. Further, because the New York Bight harbors relatively high concentrations of Atlantic Sturgeon, the study shows how localized management decisions can influence Atlantic Sturgeon conservation at rangewide scales. When integrated with more recent knowledge of species ecology, these analyses can be used to evaluate the efficacy of previous management strategies and understand the effects of historical processes on contemporary demography.

New York↗
USGS2020

Influence of population density and length structure on angler catch rate in kokanee fisheries

Management agencies are often charged with providing fisheries that lead to angler participation. Catch rate is one of the primary drivers of angler participation but can be influenced by a suite of factors, including population structure (e.g., density and size structure). The complexity of understanding how population structure influences angler catch rate is typified in kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka fisheries. Previous research suggests that angler catch rates of kokanee are positively influenced by fish density and total length. However, that research was based on data collected using size-selective midwater trawls. Due to the potential limitation of previous research, we sought to (1) understand the relative bias of midwater trawls and gill nets for describing the size structure of kokanee available to anglers and (2) re-evaluate the influence of fish density and fish length on angler catch rates in kokanee fisheries. Midwater trawl, gill-net, and creel data were collected on five prominent kokanee fisheries throughout Idaho in 2016 and 2017. Catch composition and percent overlap of midwater trawls, gill nets, and angler-caught fish were compared to understand the efficacy of midwater trawls and gill nets for representing the size structure of kokanee available to anglers. In addition, the influence of kokanee density and length on angler catch rates was evaluated. Midwater trawls primarily sampled small kokanee (<330 mm) and exhibited little overlap with angler-caught fish, whereas gill nets sampled more large fish (>330 mm) and exhibited higher overlap with angler-caught fish when compared to midwater trawls. Fish length was not positively associated with angler catch rates. However, fish density exhibited a positive relationship with angler catch rates. Our results highlight the importance of gear choice for understanding how kokanee populations function and elucidate the tradeoffs associated with population density, fish length, and resulting kokanee fisheries.

Idaho↗
USGS2017

Climate change as a long-term stressor for the fisheries of the Laurentian Great Lakes of North America

The Laurentian Great Lakes of North America provide valuable ecosystem services, including fisheries, to the surrounding population. Given the prevalence of other anthropogenic stressors that have historically affected the fisheries of the Great Lakes (e.g., eutrophication, invasive species, overfishing), climate change is often viewed as a long-term stressor and, subsequently, may not always be prioritized by managers and researchers. However, climate change has the potential to negatively affect fish and fisheries in the Great Lakes through its influence on habitat. In this paper, we (1) summarize projected changes in climate and fish habitat in the Great Lakes; (2) summarize fish responses to climate change in the Great Lakes; (3) describe key interactions between climate change and other stressors relevant to Great Lakes fish, and (4) summarize how climate change can be incorporated into fisheries management. In general, fish habitat is projected to be characterized by warmer temperatures throughout the water column, less ice cover, longer periods of stratification, and more frequent and widespread periods of bottom hypoxia in productive areas of the Great Lakes. Based solely on thermal habitat, fish populations theoretically could experience prolonged optimal growth environment within a changing climate, however, models that assess physical habitat influences at specific life stages convey a more complex picture. Looking at specific interactions with other stressors, climate change may exacerbate the negative impacts of both eutrophication and invasive species for fish habitat in the Great Lakes. Although expanding monitoring and research to consider climate change interactions with currently studied stressors, may offer managers the best opportunity to keep the valuable Great Lakes fisheries sustainable, this expansion is globally applicable for large lake ecosystem dealing with multiple stressors in the face of continued human-driven changes.

Great Lakes↗
USGS2016

Walleye population and fishery responses after elimination of legal harvest on Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin

Implementing harvest regulations to eliminate or substantially reduce (≥90%) the exploitation of Walleyes Sander vitreus in recreational fisheries may increase population size structure, but these measures also could reduce angler effort because many Walleye anglers are harvest oriented. We analyzed data collected during 1995–2015 to determine whether Walleye population and fishery metrics in Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin, changed after a minimum TL limit of 71 cm with a one-fish daily bag limit was implemented in 2003. This change eliminated the legal harvest of Walleyes after several decades during which annual exploitation averaged 34%. We detected a significant increase in the log e density of adult females after the regulation change, but the log e density of all adults and adult males did not differ between periods. Mean TL of adult males was significantly greater after the regulation change, but the mean TL of females and the proportional size distribution of preferred-length fish (≥51 cm TL) were similar between periods. Sex-specific mean TLs at age 5 did not differ between periods. Log e density of age-0 Walleyes did not change after 2003, but variation in age-0 density was lower. Total angler effort and the effort for anglers targeting Walleyes were significantly lower (35% and 60% declines, respectively) after the regulation change, whereas catch rates for both angler categories did not differ between periods. Our results suggest that implementing highly restrictive regulations that greatly reduce or eliminate legal harvest will not always increase angler catch rates and population size structure. Highly restrictive regulations may also deter anglers from using a fishery when many other fisheries are available. Our findings are useful for fishery managers who may work with anglers holding the belief that lower exploitation is a potential remedy for low Walleye size structure, even when density and growth suggest that there is limited potential for improvement.

Wisconsin↗