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At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
USGS2018

Influence of baffles on upstream passage of brook trout and brown trout in an experimental box culvert

There is much to learn about improving baffle designs to increase successful fish passage through culverts. A fish’s motivation to attempt entry into the culvert is essential. Upon entry, successful passage will largely depend on the physiological ability of the fish to navigate the entire culvert length. In this study, the motivation of brook trout ( Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill, 1814)) and brown trout ( Salmo trutta Linnaeus, 1758) to attempt ascent of an experimental flume, which mimics a roadway culvert left bare (smooth) or fitted with either spoiler or weir baffles, is assessed. Performance, measured as maximum distance of ascent within the flume, is also quantified. The bare flume was the most motivating for brook trout, and the weirs were most motivating for brown trout. As a rule, brown trout showed less motivation to stage attempts than brook trout, except within the weir baffle treatments. Performance was greatest in the weirs for smaller trout and in the spoiler baffles for larger trout. Our findings suggest that baffle form influences passage rates at road crossings in ways previously unknown and further stresses the importance of considering fish motivation and performance together when assessing the efficacy of baffle forms.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences↗
USGS2018

Long-term population dynamics and conservation risk of migratory bull trout in the upper Columbia River basin

We used redd count data from 88 bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) populations in the upper Columbia River basin to quantify local and regional patterns in population dynamics, including adult abundance, long-term trend, and population synchrony. We further used this information to assess conservation risk of metapopulations using eight population dynamic metrics associated with persistence. Local population abundances were generally low (<20 redds annually) and the majority of trends were either stable (85%) or declining (13%). Evidence of synchrony among populations was apparent but not related to fluvial distance between streams. Variability in annual abundances was 1.4–2.5 times lower in metapopulations than local populations, indicating moderate portfolio effects across the regional stock complex. Importantly, most metrics of conservation risk were uncorrelated with one another, emphasizing that multiple statistics describing population dynamics at various scales are needed for monitoring and assessing recovery. We provide a composite description of conservation risk based on local and regional population dynamics that can help inform conservation management decisions for bull trout and other freshwater fishes.

Idaho, Montana↗
USGS2019

Influences of spawning timing, water temperature, and climatic warming on early life history phenology in western Alaska sockeye salmon

We applied an empirical model to predict hatching and emergence timing for 25 western Alaska sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) populations in four lake-nursery systems to explore current patterns and potential responses of early life history phenology to warming water temperatures. Given experienced temperature regimes during development, we predicted hatching to occur in as few as 58 d to as many as 260 d depending on spawning timing and temperature. For a focal lake spawning population, our climate-lake temperature model predicted a water temperature increase of 0.7 to 1.4 °C from 2015 to 2099 during the incubation period, which translated to a 16 d to 30 d earlier hatching timing. The most extreme scenarios of warming advanced development by approximately a week earlier than historical minima and thus climatic warming may lead to only modest shifts in phenology during the early life history stage of this population. The marked variation in the predicted timing of hatching and emergence among populations in close proximity on the landscape may serve to buffer this metapopulation from climate change.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences↗
USGS2018

Environmental, anthropogenic, and dietary influences on fine-scale movement patterns of Atlantic salmon through challenging waters

Partial barriers to migration can affect migratory fish population dynamics and be influenced by many biotic, abiotic, and anthropogenic factors, including nutritional deficiencies. We investigated how such variables (including a thiamine deficiency) impact fine-scale movement of landlocked Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) by treating returning spawners with thiamine and observing their attempts to climb a human-altered, high velocity stretch of river using fine-scale radio telemetry. Multiple re-entries into a river section, along with water temperature, strongly influenced movement rates. High or increasing discharge encouraged downstream movement; males abandoned migratory attempts at a higher rate than females. Although thiamine-injected salmon exhibited greater migratory duration, this did not produce a measurable improvement in passage performance, possibly due to the difficulty associated with this section of river — among 24 tagged salmon staging 10.9 attempts each and lasting 1.5 days per attempt on average, only three traversed the entire reach. This study provides new insights into how biotic and abiotic variables affect fish movement, while suggesting limits to the potential for human intervention (thiamine injections) to assist passage through partial migratory barriers.

New York, Vermont↗
USGS2019

Long-term assessment of ichthyoplankton in a large North American river system reveals changes in fish community dynamics

Larval fishes are sensitive to abiotic conditions and provide a direct measure of spawning success. The St. Clair – Detroit River System, a Laurentian Great Lakes connecting channel with a history of environmental degradation, has undergone improvements in habitat and water quality since the 1970s. We compared 2006–2015 ichthyoplankton community data with those collected prior to remediation efforts (1977–1978) to identify patterns in spatial and temporal variability. Both assemblages exhibited a predictable phenology, with taxa from the subfamily Coregoninae dominant in early spring followed by families Osmeridae, Percidae, and Moronidae (May–June) and Cyprinidae and Clupeidae (June–August). While higher densities of larval fish were found in the Detroit River, greater taxa richness and Shannon diversity were observed in the St. Clair River. System wide, 14 new taxa were observed in the 2000s study period. In addition, relative densities of two nonnative species, alewife ( Alosa pseudoharengus ) and rainbow smelt ( Osmerus mordax ), declined since the 1970s. Increased larval fish richness and decreased densities of nonnative taxa in the 2000s are consistent with improvements to environmental conditions.

Michigan, Ontario↗
USGS2018

Acoustic telemetry as a potential tool for mixed-stock analysis of fishery harvest: A feasibility study using Lake Erie walleye

Understanding stock composition is critical for sustainable management of mixed-stock fisheries. When natural markers routinely used for stock discrimination fail, alternative techniques are required. We investigated the feasibility of using acoustic telemetry to estimate spawning population contributions to a mixed-stock fishery using Lake Erie’s summer walleye (Sander vitreus) recreational fishery as a case study. Postrelease survival was estimated after tagging and used to inform simulations to evaluate how contribution estimates could be affected by survival, sample size, and expected population contributions. Walleye experienced low short-term survival after tagging, but showed higher survival after 100 days, likely allowing fish to return to spawning areas the following spring. Based on simulations, accuracy and precision of population composition increased with an increase in the number of tagged fish released, and both appeared to stabilize when ≥200 tagged fish were released. Results supported the feasibility of using acoustic telemetry to estimate spawning population contributions to mixed-stock fisheries in Lake Erie.

Michigan, Ohio↗
USGS2019

Lethal and sublethal responses of native mussels (Unionidae: Lampsilis siliquoidea and Lampsilis higginsii) to elevated carbon dioxide

Levels of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) that have been proposed for aquatic invasive species control (24 000 – 96 000 μatm partial pressure of CO 2 ( P CO 2 ); 1 atm = 101.325 kPa) were tested on two juvenile mussels, the fatmucket ( Lampsilis siliquoidea ) and the US federally endangered Higgins’ eye ( Lampsilis higginsii ). A suite of responses (survival, growth, behavior, and gene expression) were measured after 28 days of exposure to CO 2 and 14 days postexposure. The 28-day LC 20 (concentration lethal to 20% of organisms) was lower for L. higginsii (31 800 μatm P CO 2 , 95% confidence interval (CI) 15 000 – 42 800 μatm) than for L. siliquoidea (58 200 μatm P CO 2 , 95% CI 45 200 – 68 100 μatm). Treatment-related reductions occurred in all measures of growth and condition. Expression of chitin synthase, key for shell formation, was downregulated at 28 days of exposure. Carbon dioxide caused narcotization and movement to the substrate surface of mussels, behaviors that could increase mortality by predation and displacement. We conclude that survival and growth of juvenile mussels could be reduced by continuous exposure to elevated CO 2 , but recovery may be possible with shorter-duration exposure.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences↗
USGS2019

Early mortality and freshwater forage fish recruitment: Nonnative alewife and native rainbow smelt interactions in Lake Champlain

We studied the consequences of a nonnative species introduction and changes in temperature on early mortality and recruitment of native rainbow smelt ( Osmerus mordax ) and nonnative alewife ( Alosa pseudoharengus ) in Lake Champlain using a simulation model. Distribution patterns of adults and young-of-the-year (YOY) fish were predicted using a model based on observed distribution of different age groups as a function of temperature and light profiles simulated on a daily basis. Mortality rates averaged over the growing season were calculated as a function of fish densities and overlap between adults and YOY. Survival of YOY rainbow smelt and alewife depended on which predator was most abundant. Rainbow smelt YOY mortality rates are highest when rainbow smelt adults are abundant, and alewife YOY mortality rates are highest when alewife adults are abundant, potentially allowing coexistence. August and September mortality rates were higher in the climate change scenario because of increased overlap of adults and YOY of both species. These results indicate that accounting for spatiotemporal fish distribution patterns can be important when forecasting the interacting effects of climate change and aquatic invasive species on fish recruitment.

New York, Quebec, Vermont↗
USGS2019

Drivers and uncertainties of forecasted range shifts for warm-water fishes under climate and land cover change

Land cover is an important determinant of aquatic habitat and is projected to shift with climate changes, yet climate-driven land cover changes are rarely factored into climate assessments. To quantify impacts and uncertainty of coupled climate and land cover change on warm-water fish species’ distributions, we used an ensemble model approach to project distributions of 14 species. For each species, current range projections were compared to 27 scenario-based projections and aggregated to visualize uncertainty. Multiple regression and model selection techniques were used to identify drivers of range change. Novel, or no-analogue, climates were assessed to evaluate transferability of models. Changes in total probability of occurrence ranged widely across species, from a 63% increase to a 65% decrease. Distributional gains and losses were largely driven by temperature and flow variables and underscore the importance of habitat heterogeneity and connectivity to facilitate adaptation to changing conditions. Finally, novel climate conditions were driven by mean annual maximum temperature, which stresses the importance of understanding the role of temperature on fish physiology and the role of temperature-mitigating management practices.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences↗
USGS2019

Phenology of hatching, emergence, and end-of-season body size in young-of-year Coho Salmon in thermally contrasting streams draining the Copper River Delta, Alaska

Phenology can be linked to individual fitness, particularly in strongly seasonal environments where the timing of events have important consequences for growth, condition, and survival. We studied the phenology of Coho Salmon hatching and emergence in streams with contrasting thermal variability, but in close geographic proximity. Following emergence, we tracked body sizes of cohorts of young-of-year fish until the end of the growing season. Hatch and emergence timing occurred at the same time among streams with marked variability in thermal regimes. We demonstrate that this can be explained in part by the thermal units accumulated during embryo development. At the end of the first growing season there were some differences in body size, however overall fish size among streams were similar despite strong differences in thermal regimes. Collectively these results provide novel insights into the interactions between environmental variability and the early life-history stages of Coho Salmon furthering our understanding of the consequences of phenology on growth and survival for individuals within the critical first summer of life.

Alaska↗
USGS2019

A dam passage performance standard model for American shad

Objectives for recovery of alosines commonly involve improving fish passage at dams during migration. However, a quantitative basis for dam passage performance standards is largely absent. We describe development of a stochastic life-history-based simulation model for American shad, Alosa sapidissima , to estimate effects of dam passage and migratory delay on abundance, spatial distribution of spawning adults, and demographic structuring in space and time. We used the Penobscot River, Maine, USA, as a case study to examine sensitivity of modeled population metrics and probability of achieving specific management goals to inputs. Spawner abundance and percentage of repeat spawners were most sensitive to survival and migration delay at dams, marine survival, and temperature cues for migratory events. Recovery objectives related to abundance and spatial distribution of spawners were achievable under multiple scenarios, but high rates of upstream and downstream passage were necessary. The simulation indicated trade-offs between upstream and downstream passage efficacy whereby increased downstream passage was required to maintain or increase population abundance in conjunction with increased upstream passage. This model provides a quantitative support tool for managers to inform ecologically based decisions about a suite of management scenarios to facilitate recovery and sustainability of diadromous fish populations.

Maine↗
USGS2019

Modeling framework to estimate spawning and hatching locations of pelagically-spawned eggs

Identifying spawning and hatching locations is vital to controlling invasive fish and conserving imperiled fish, which can be difficult for pelagically-spawning species with semi-buoyant eggs. In freshwater systems, this reproductive strategy is common among cyprinid species, such as Chinese carp species currently threatening the Great Lakes. Following the confirmation that one of these species, Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), was spawning in a Great Lakes tributary, we developed a modeling framework to combine field data with hydraulic models to calculate the most probable spawning and hatching locations for collected eggs. Our results indicate that the estimated spawning location encompassed habitat consistent with spawning sites in Grass Carp’s native range. Additionally, all eggs were identified to have hatched in the river, increasing the likelihood of successful recruitment. This modeling framework can be used to estimate spawning and hatching locations for Chinese carp species, as well as all pelagic, riverine spawners. Spawning and hatching locations provide key information to researchers about the reproductive requirements of species and to agencies about how best to manage populations for control or restoration.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences↗
USGS2019

State-space models to infer movements and behavior of fish detected in a spatial array of acoustic receivers

We developed state-space models for inferring movements and behaviors of fish implanted with acoustic transmitters and detected within a spatial array of stationary acoustic receivers. In these models fish movements and behavior switching are specified using a hidden Markov model of the changes in an individual's latent activity center. The observed number of detections at each acoustic receiver is modeled as a function of the distance between the receiver and a fish's activity center. To illustrate these models, we analyzed the detections of individual Gulf sturgeon that moved within a spatial array of acoustic receivers placed in the Suwannee River, Florida. Our models of these detections provided estimates of the locations of individual sturgeon and the periods when individuals switched between spawning and resting behaviors. We anticipate that these models will be used to analyze acoustic surveys of other species and to help design new surveys.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences↗
USGS2019

Life-history variation of two inland salmonids revealed through otolith microchemistry analysis

Increasingly, otolith microchemistry analysis is used as a tool to trace fish migrations, especially migrations of diadromous fishes. Yet, few studies have used otolith microchemistry to trace migrations in small inland watersheds, leaving major knowledge gaps in our understanding of inland fish spatial ecology. Here, we evaluate the use of tributary habitat for spawning and describe and compare fluvial brown trout ( Salmo trutta ) and rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) natal origin distribution, time spent in natal streams, and spawning site fidelity. 63% of rainbow trout and 57% of brown trout migrated after hatching. Brown trout showed greater variation in time spent in natal tributaries, suggesting that individuals are temporally distributing risk among offspring. By contrast, rainbow trout showed greater variation in natal origin, suggesting that individuals are spatially distributing risk among offspring. Our results indicate there is high inter- and intraspecific migration variation in inland salmonid populations, which may be linked to access to a mosaic of spawning and rearing habitat types.

Colorado, Wyoming↗
USGS2019

Quantifying 87Sr/86Sr temporal stability and spatial heterogeneity for use in tracking fish movement

The specificity and accuracy of inferred fish origin and movement relies on describing spatial heterogeneity and temporal stability of environmental signatures. But the cost and logistics of sample collection often precludes the complete quantification of environmental signature temporal stability and spatial heterogeneity. We used repeated sampling and a novel approach (Bayesian ridge regression, BRR) to quantify the temporal stability and spatial heterogeneity of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr, respectively. We explained 86% of observed variation in 87 Sr/ 86 Sr using a BRR model and estimated 87 Sr/ 86 Sr throughout the Upper North Platte River Basin with high accuracy (±0.00106). Year to year variation in 87 Sr/ 86 Sr signatures ranged from 0.00007 to 0.00073 (SD), while seasonal variation ranged from 0.00091 to 0.00134 (SD). We then assessed the specificity and discussed the accuracy of inferring movement using three scenarios of described spatial heterogeneity. Our results indicate reliable inference of fish movement requires comprehensive quantification of spatial heterogeneity and temporal variation in environmental signatures.

Colorado, Wyoming↗
USGS2019

Integrating management strategy evaluation into fisheries management: Advancing best practices for stakeholder inclusion based on an MSE for Northeast US Atlantic herring

The New England Fishery Management Council used management strategy evaluation (MSE) to evaluate possible harvest control rules for Atlantic herring ( Clupea harengus ), the first MSE in the US and perhaps globally to use open-invitation, public workshops for input. Stakeholder inclusion can increase both realism and likelihood of use by managers, but inclusivity is not achieved easily. Here, self-selected participants had diverse backgrounds and differing levels of interest and preparedness. We describe some challenges with directly engaging the public in MSE and offer broader insights for obtaining effective public participation during a decision-making process. Conducting an open MSE aligns well with publicly driven management but requires clear goals and communication. Investment in effective organizers, impartial facilitators, and knowledgeable analysts can improve communication and understanding of MSE to the betterment of fisheries management. We aim to further MSE best practices on integrating stakeholders and hope that our lessons learned on communication, engagement, and integration of MSE into an existing management arena will be useful to other practitioners.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences↗
USGS2019

The dream and the reality: Meeting decision-making time frames while incorporating ecosystem and economic models into management strategy evaluation

Atlantic herring ( Clupea harengus ) in the Northwest Atlantic have been managed with interim harvest control rules (HCRs). A stakeholder-driven management strategy evaluation (MSE) was conducted that incorporated a broad range of objectives. The MSE process was completed within 1 year. Constant catch, conditional constant catch, and a biomass-based (BB) HCR with a 15% restriction on the interannual change in the quota could achieve more stable yields than BB HCRs without such restrictions, but could not attain as high of yields and resulted in more negative outcomes for terns ( Sterna hirundo ; a predator of herring). A similar range of performance could be achieved by applying a BB HCR annually every 3 years or every 5 years. Predators (i.e., dogfish ( Squalus acanthias ), bluefin tuna ( Thunnus thynnus ), and terns) were generally insensitive to the range of HCRs. While median net revenues were sensitive to some HCRs, time series analysis suggests that most HCRs produced a stable equilibrium of net revenue. To meet management needs, some aspects of the simulations were less than might be considered scientifically ideal, but using “models of intermediate complexity” were informative for managers and formed a foundation for future improvements.

Northwest Atlantic↗
USGS2018

Effects of land use on summer thermal regimes in critical salmonid habitats of the Pacific Northwest

The effect of climate change on stream temperature regimes is of significant concern to natural resource managers focused on protecting cold-water-dependent species. Nevertheless, understanding of how human land-use activities may act to exacerbate the effects of climate change on stream temperature regimes is limited. Using extensive stream temperature data with high-resolution climate and habitat data, we quantified how land management activities are related to summer stream temperatures across the Pacific Northwest, USA. We then described the distribution of land management practices influencing summer thermal regimes relative to the distribution of salmonid fish species of conservation concern. After accounting for climatic and geophysical variation, we detected a strong relationship between livestock grazing and summer thermal regimes. Maximum, average, and diel variation in water temperature was greater where livestock grazing was present. Livestock grazing was widespread, occurring in 43%–100% of sites supporting salmonid species of conservation concern. Thus, current land management practices may be intensifying the effects of ongoing climate change in freshwater habitats, acting to further threaten cold-water fishes of conservation concern.

Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana↗