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Rao J, Wei Q, Tang L, Wang Y, Liang R, Li K. A design of a nature-like fishway to solve the fractured river connectivity caused by small hydropower based on hydrodynamics and fish behaviors. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:27883-27896. [PMID: 38523215 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33034-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Achieving a harmonious alignment between the biological characteristics of fish and hydrodynamics patterns is crucial for ensuring the efficacy of fish passage facilities. In this study, based on the hydrodynamic characteristics of the river and the biological characteristics of fish, we evaluated the internal flow field in the nature-like fishway of Congen II hydropower station located along the Chabao river and explored methods to improve the operation efficiency. Based on comprehensive considerations of the flow field, turbulent kinetic energy, and the migration pathways of fish, it is found that the implementation of a continuous oblique bottom slope represents a more cost-effective and operationally convenient solution. The influence of different permutation of bulkheads in the nature-like fishway on operational efficiency was further examined. Our investigation revealed that the nature-like fishway with the continuous slope of 2% and the arrangement of three bulkheads in each row (model 3) exhibited a relatively simple velocity distribution and linear flow line, which poses challenges for fish in locating resting areas. In addition, the distribution of low turbulence kinetic energy area in the mainstream made it less favorable for fish to transition from the mainstream to the rest area within the fishway. The nature-like fishway with the continuous slope of 2% and the arrangement of two or three bulkheads in staggered rows (model 4) demonstrated better performance. Several potential fish migration routes for both model 3 and model 4 were proposed based on the numerical simulation results. In model 3, fish exhibited a continuous sprint through the concentrated high-speed area, which was less favorable for fish to rest and forage. In contrast, model 4 exhibited a diversified flow velocity distribution, enabling fish to make timely changes in their direction during migration. This feather proved to be advantageous in enhancing fish migration within the passage. The design of nature-like fishway in this study provides an important reference and technical support for the construction and optimization of the nature-like fishway for low dams, and is of great significance for restoring river connectivity destroyed by small hydropower construction and improving fish migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Rao
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, No. 24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Qi Wei
- Sichuan Water Development Investigation, Design & Research Co., Ltd, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Lian Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, No. 24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Yuanming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, No. 24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, 610065, China.
| | - Ruifeng Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, No. 24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Kefeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, No. 24 South Section 1, Yihuan Road, Chengdu, 610065, China
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2
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Chavarie L, Honkanen HM, Newton M, Lilly JM, Greetham HR, Adams CE. The benefits of merging passive and active tracking approaches: New insights into riverine migration by salmonid smolts. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Louise Chavarie
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management Norwegian University of Life Sciences Ås Norway
- Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment, IBAHCM University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
| | - Hannele M. Honkanen
- Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment, IBAHCM University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
| | - Matthew Newton
- Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment, IBAHCM University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
| | - Jessie M. Lilly
- Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment, IBAHCM University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
| | - Hannah R. Greetham
- Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment, IBAHCM University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
| | - Colin E. Adams
- Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment, IBAHCM University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
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3
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Sherker Z, Pellett K, Atkinson J, Damborg J, Trites A. Pacific Great Blue Herons ( Ardea herodias fannini) consume thousands of juvenile salmon ( Oncorhynchus spp.). CAN J ZOOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2020-0189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
An array of predators that consume juvenile salmon (genus Oncorhynchus Suckley, 1861) may account for the poor returns of adult salmon to the Salish Sea. However, the Pacific Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias fannini Chapman, 1901) is rarely listed among the known salmon predators, despite being regularly seen near salmon streams. Investigating heron predation by scanning nesting sites within 35 km of three British Columbia (Canada) rivers for fecal remains containing passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags implanted in >100 000 juvenile salmon from 2008 to 2018 yielded 1205 tags, representing a minimum annual predation rate of 0.3%–1.3% of all juvenile salmon. Most of this predation (99%) was caused by ∼420 adult Pacific Great Blue Herons from three heronries. Correcting for tags defecated outside of the heronry raised the predation rates to 0.7%–3.2%, and was as high as 6% during a year of low river flow. Predation occurs during chick-rearing in late spring and accounts for 4.1%–8.4% of the Pacific Great Blue Heron chick diet. Smaller salmon smolts were significantly more susceptible to Pacific Great Blue Heron predation than larger conspecifics. The proximity of heronries relative to salmon-bearing rivers is likely a good predictor of Pacific Great Blue Heron predation on local salmon runs, and can be monitored to assess coast-wide effects of Pacific Great Blue Herons on salmon recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z.T. Sherker
- Marine Mammal Research Unit, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, The University of British Columbia, AERL, 2202 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - K. Pellett
- South Coast Stock Assessment Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 3225 Stephenson Point Road, Nanaimo, BC V9T 1K3, Canada
| | - J. Atkinson
- Vancouver Island Division, British Columbia Conservation Foundation, 105-1885 Boxwood Road, Nanaimo, BC V9S 5X9, Canada
| | - J. Damborg
- Vancouver Island Division, British Columbia Conservation Foundation, 105-1885 Boxwood Road, Nanaimo, BC V9S 5X9, Canada
| | - A.W. Trites
- Marine Mammal Research Unit, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, The University of British Columbia, AERL, 2202 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
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4
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Atkinson S, Bruen M, O' Sullivan JJ, Turner JN, Ball B, Carlsson J, Bullock C, Casserly CM, Kelly-Quinn M. An inspection-based assessment of obstacles to salmon, trout, eel and lamprey migration and river channel connectivity in Ireland. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 719:137215. [PMID: 32126403 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge of the location, physical attributes and impacts of obstacles on river connectivity is a requirement for any mitigating action aimed at restoring the connectivity of a river system. Here, we present a study that recorded the numbers and physical diversity of obstacles in 10 river catchments in Ireland, together with the impact these structures had on overall river connectivity. A total of 372 obstacles were recorded, 3 of these were dams, and the remainder were low-head weirs/sluices, obstacles associated with road or rail crossings of rivers and natural structures. The degree of fragmentation was estimated in each catchment by calculating obstacle density and the Dendritic Connectivity Index (DCI). DCI scores were calculated for 4 native Irish fish species with different life-histories, namely diadromous (Atlantic salmon, sea trout, European eel, sea lamprey) and potamodromous (brown trout). Obstacle density ranged between 1.2 and 0.02 obstacles/km of river. Six of the 10 catchments had at least one obstacle located on the mainstem river at least 5 km from its mouth/confluence. These 6 catchments typically had the lowest connectivity scores for diadromous species and ranged between 0.6 and 44.1 (a fully connected river would receive a maximum score of 100). While there was no significant correlation between obstacle density and the DCI score for diadromous fish, a significant negative correlation was detected between obstacle density and the DCI score for potamodromous brown trout. Here, we highlight the merit of these obstacle assessments and associated challenges for decision-making relating to prioritisation of obstacles for removal or modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siobhán Atkinson
- School of Biology and Environmental Science and Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland; Area52 Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Science and Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Michael Bruen
- UCD Dooge Centre for Water Resources Research, School of Civil Engineering and Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - John J O' Sullivan
- UCD Dooge Centre for Water Resources Research, School of Civil Engineering and Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Jonathan N Turner
- School of Geography and Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Bernard Ball
- School of Biology and Environmental Science and Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland; Area52 Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Science and Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Jens Carlsson
- School of Biology and Environmental Science and Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland; Area52 Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Science and Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Craig Bullock
- School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Colm M Casserly
- UCD Dooge Centre for Water Resources Research, School of Civil Engineering and Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland; School of Geography and Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Mary Kelly-Quinn
- School of Biology and Environmental Science and Earth Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Kennedy RJ, O'Connor W, Allen M. Atlantic salmon Salmo salar passing a natural barrier before and after construction of a hydroelectric station. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2019; 95:1257-1264. [PMID: 31429071 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A hydro power plant constructed around a waterfall on a coastal spate river, used the fall as a natural fish pass and applied a previous telemetry study on local Atlantic salmon Salmo salar to determine the abstraction conditions for the site. The current study used the same telemetry approach to monitor the efficacy of S. salar passage and to compare migratory behaviour at the waterfall pre and post the hydro development. The probability of S. salar successfully crossing the waterfall was higher post-hydro when 80% of tagged fish successfully crossed in comparison to the pristine pre-hydro period when 44% of tagged fish ascended. The flow range used by tagged S. salar to cross the waterfall ranged from 2.49-7.87 m3 s-1 in the pre-hydro period but broadened to 1.32-12.91 m3 s-1 during the post-hydro period. This was principally due to the hydro diverting water away from the waterfall during spate conditions, damping the flow across the barrier and facilitating upstream migration within a more suitable discharge range. During 2017-2018 implementation of the hydro-operation protocol elongated the duration of the migratory window for successful upstream migration by 36-128%. A strong diurnal pattern was observed for movements across the Salmon Leap waterfall during both the pre-hydro and post-hydro monitoring periods with most tagged S. salar crossing the complex obstacle in daylight.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - William O'Connor
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge Lane, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Michelle Allen
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge Lane, Belfast, Northern Ireland
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6
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Jones J, Börger L, Tummers J, Jones P, Lucas M, Kerr J, Kemp P, Bizzi S, Consuegra S, Marcello L, Vowles A, Belletti B, Verspoor E, Van de Bund W, Gough P, Garcia de Leaniz C. A comprehensive assessment of stream fragmentation in Great Britain. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 673:756-762. [PMID: 31003103 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Artificial barriers are one of the main threats to river ecosystems, resulting in habitat fragmentation and loss of connectivity. Yet, the abundance and distribution of most artificial barriers, excluding high-head dams, is poorly documented. We provide a comprehensive assessment of the distribution and typology of artificial barriers in Great Britain, and estimate for the first time the extent of river fragmentation. To this end, barrier data were compiled from existing databases and were ground-truthed by field surveys in England, Scotland and Wales to derive a correction factor for barrier density across Great Britain. Field surveys indicate that existing barrier databases underestimate barrier density by 68%, particularly in the case of low-head structures (<1 m) which are often missing from current records. Field-corrected barrier density estimates ranged from 0.48 barriers/km in Scotland to 0.63 barriers/km in Wales, and 0.75 barriers/km in England. Corresponding estimates of stream fragmentation by weirs and dams only, measured as mean barrier-free length, were 12.30 km in Scotland, 6.68 km in Wales and 5.29 km in England, suggesting the extent of river modification differs between regions. Our study indicates that 97% of the river network in Great Britain is fragmented and <1% of the catchments are free of artificial barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Jones
- Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.
| | - Luca Börger
- Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Jeroen Tummers
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Peter Jones
- Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Martyn Lucas
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Jim Kerr
- Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Paul Kemp
- Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Simone Bizzi
- Department of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Sofia Consuegra
- Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Lucio Marcello
- Rivers and Lochs Institute, University of Highlands and Islands, Inverness, UK
| | - Andrew Vowles
- Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Barbara Belletti
- Department of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Eric Verspoor
- Rivers and Lochs Institute, University of Highlands and Islands, Inverness, UK
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7
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Schwinn M, Baktoft H, Aarestrup K, Koed A. Artificial lakes delay the migration of brown trout Salmo trutta smolts: a comparison of migratory behaviour in a stream and through an artificial lake. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2019; 94:745-751. [PMID: 30847919 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Juvenile salmonids experience high mortality when negotiating lentic waters during their downstream migration to the sea. The development of artificial lakes and wetlands in streams has become a widely used management tool to reduce nutrient load to coastal areas. Such wetlands may threaten anadromous populations. In this study we quantify net ground speed of downstream migrating brown trout Salmo trutta smolts in equally long stream and lake sections in a Danish lowland stream and artificial lake. This was done by passive integrated transponder telemetry in 2016 and 2017. Mean net ground speed in the stream section was 36.58 and 0.8 km day-1 in the lake section. This decrease of net ground speed through the lake may lead to prolonged exposure to predators and probably contributes to high mortalities threatening anadromous populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Schwinn
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Silkeborg, Denmark
| | - Henrik Baktoft
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Silkeborg, Denmark
| | - Kim Aarestrup
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Silkeborg, Denmark
| | - Anders Koed
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Silkeborg, Denmark
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8
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Newton M, Barry J, Dodd JA, Lucas MC, Boylan P, Adams CE. Does size matter? A test of size-specific mortality in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar smolts tagged with acoustic transmitters. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2016; 89:1641-1650. [PMID: 27352823 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Mortality rates of wild Atlantic salmon Salmo salar smolts implanted with acoustic transmitters were assessed to determine if mortality was size dependent. The routinely accepted, but widely debated, '2% transmitter mass: body mass' rule in biotelemetry was tested by extending the transmitter burden up to 12·7% of body mass in small [mean fork length (LF ) 138·3 mm, range 115-168 mm] downstream migrating S. salar smolts. Over the short timescale of emigration (range 11·9-44·5 days) through the lower river and estuary, mortality was not related to S. salar size, nor was a relationship found between mortality probability and transmitter mass: body mass or transmitter length: LF ratios. This study provides further evidence that smolt migration studies can deviate from the '2% rule' of thumb, to more appropriate study-specific measures, which enables the use of fishes representative of the body size in natural populations without undue effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Newton
- Scottish Centre for Ecology & the Natural Environment, IBAHCM, University of Glasgow, Rowardennan, Glasgow, G63 0AW, U.K
| | - J Barry
- Scottish Centre for Ecology & the Natural Environment, IBAHCM, University of Glasgow, Rowardennan, Glasgow, G63 0AW, U.K
| | - J A Dodd
- Scottish Centre for Ecology & the Natural Environment, IBAHCM, University of Glasgow, Rowardennan, Glasgow, G63 0AW, U.K
| | - M C Lucas
- School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, U.K
| | - P Boylan
- Loughs Agency, 22 Victoria Road, Derry, Northern Ireland, BT47 2AB, U.K
| | - C E Adams
- Scottish Centre for Ecology & the Natural Environment, IBAHCM, University of Glasgow, Rowardennan, Glasgow, G63 0AW, U.K
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9
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Cooke SJ, Martins EG, Struthers DP, Gutowsky LFG, Power M, Doka SE, Dettmers JM, Crook DA, Lucas MC, Holbrook CM, Krueger CC. A moving target--incorporating knowledge of the spatial ecology of fish into the assessment and management of freshwater fish populations. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2016; 188:239. [PMID: 27004432 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-016-5228-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2016] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Freshwater fish move vertically and horizontally through the aquatic landscape for a variety of reasons, such as to find and exploit patchy resources or to locate essential habitats (e.g., for spawning). Inherent challenges exist with the assessment of fish populations because they are moving targets. We submit that quantifying and describing the spatial ecology of fish and their habitat is an important component of freshwater fishery assessment and management. With a growing number of tools available for studying the spatial ecology of fishes (e.g., telemetry, population genetics, hydroacoustics, otolith microchemistry, stable isotope analysis), new knowledge can now be generated and incorporated into biological assessment and fishery management. For example, knowing when, where, and how to deploy assessment gears is essential to inform, refine, or calibrate assessment protocols. Such information is also useful for quantifying or avoiding bycatch of imperiled species. Knowledge of habitat connectivity and usage can identify critically important migration corridors and habitats and can be used to improve our understanding of variables that influence spatial structuring of fish populations. Similarly, demographic processes are partly driven by the behavior of fish and mediated by environmental drivers. Information on these processes is critical to the development and application of realistic population dynamics models. Collectively, biological assessment, when informed by knowledge of spatial ecology, can provide managers with the ability to understand how and when fish and their habitats may be exposed to different threats. Naturally, this knowledge helps to better evaluate or develop strategies to protect the long-term viability of fishery production. Failure to understand the spatial ecology of fishes and to incorporate spatiotemporal data can bias population assessments and forecasts and potentially lead to ineffective or counterproductive management actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Cooke
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Eduardo G Martins
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel P Struthers
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Lee F G Gutowsky
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Power
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Susan E Doka
- Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Science, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | | | - David A Crook
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia
| | - Martyn C Lucas
- School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | | | - Charles C Krueger
- Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, Lansing, MI, USA
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Barry J, Newton M, Dodd JA, Lucas MC, Boylan P, Adams CE. Freshwater and coastal migration patterns in the silver-stage eel Anguilla anguilla. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2016; 88:676-689. [PMID: 26707686 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The unimpeded downstream movement patterns and migration success of small female and male Anguilla anguilla through a catchment in north-west Europe were studied using an acoustic hydrophone array along the River Finn and into the Foyle Estuary in Ireland. Twenty silver-stage A. anguilla (total length, LT , range: 332-520 mm) were trapped 152 km upstream from a coastal marine sea-lough outlet and internally tagged with acoustic transmitters of which 19 initiated downstream migration. Migration speed was highly influenced by river flow within the freshwater (FW) compartment. Anguilla anguilla activity patterns were correlated with environmental influences; light, tidal direction and lunar phase all influenced the initiation of migration of tagged individuals. Migration speed varied significantly between upstream and lower river compartments. Individuals migrated at a slower speed in transitional water and sea-lough compartments compared with the FW compartment. While 88·5% survival was recorded during migration through the upper 121 km of the river and estuary, only 26% of A. anguilla which initiated downstream migration were detected at the outermost end of the acoustic array. Telemetry equipment functioned efficiently, including in the sea-lough, so this suggests high levels of mortality during sea-lough migration, or less likely, long-term sea-lough residence by silver A. anguilla emigrants. This has important implications for eel management plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Barry
- Scottish Centre for Ecology & the Natural Environment, IBAHCM, University of Glasgow, Rowardennan, Glasgow, G63 0AW, U.K
| | - M Newton
- Scottish Centre for Ecology & the Natural Environment, IBAHCM, University of Glasgow, Rowardennan, Glasgow, G63 0AW, U.K
| | - J A Dodd
- Scottish Centre for Ecology & the Natural Environment, IBAHCM, University of Glasgow, Rowardennan, Glasgow, G63 0AW, U.K
| | - M C Lucas
- School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, U.K
| | - P Boylan
- Loughs Agency, 22 Victoria Road, Derry, Northern Ireland, BT47 2AB, U.K
| | - C E Adams
- Scottish Centre for Ecology & the Natural Environment, IBAHCM, University of Glasgow, Rowardennan, Glasgow, G63 0AW, U.K
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