Location
Groningen, The Netherlands
Event Website
http://fishpassage.umass.edu/
Start Date
23-6-2015 11:50 AM
End Date
23-6-2015 12:05 PM
Description
Abstract:
Knowledge of fish behaviour at obstacles is still limited and therefore uncertainties exist regarding measures that have to be taken to ensure fish passage. One question that arises is whether fish, when encountering a barrier, tend to show searching behaviour or literally get trapped in a dead end while following migratory stimuli. To shed some light on this question, migration patterns of fish were investigated by using PIT technology at a vertical slot fishway with two entrances at the river Moselle. Additionally, sonar images were recorded by two DIDSON sonars at the entrances. Tagged fish (roach, nase, brown trout, river lamprey among others) were stocked in the tailwater. The research setup consisted of HDX-antennae at the entrances as well as antennae at ten slots along the fishway. At the entrance, appearance and passage time of the tagged fish was registered. Comparing these signals from every HDXantenna along the fishway allowed analysis of fish passing individual sections or interrupting their upstream movement. Sonar recordings in front of the entrances were analysed with a focus on fish abundance and fish behaviour. We observed species-dependent differences in the preference for an entrance location and configuration. Some individuals were found at both entrances, indicating a failed entrance attempt, followed by searching behaviour. However, most fish that passed the entrance structures showed a continuous upstream movement pattern. These results help to understand fish behaviour at obstacles and may contribute to the improvement of fishways, especially with respect to location and construction of entrances as well as the passage of fishway sections.
Session B4: Movement Patterns of Several Fish Species Approaching and Passing a Vertical Slot Fishway
Groningen, The Netherlands
Abstract:
Knowledge of fish behaviour at obstacles is still limited and therefore uncertainties exist regarding measures that have to be taken to ensure fish passage. One question that arises is whether fish, when encountering a barrier, tend to show searching behaviour or literally get trapped in a dead end while following migratory stimuli. To shed some light on this question, migration patterns of fish were investigated by using PIT technology at a vertical slot fishway with two entrances at the river Moselle. Additionally, sonar images were recorded by two DIDSON sonars at the entrances. Tagged fish (roach, nase, brown trout, river lamprey among others) were stocked in the tailwater. The research setup consisted of HDX-antennae at the entrances as well as antennae at ten slots along the fishway. At the entrance, appearance and passage time of the tagged fish was registered. Comparing these signals from every HDXantenna along the fishway allowed analysis of fish passing individual sections or interrupting their upstream movement. Sonar recordings in front of the entrances were analysed with a focus on fish abundance and fish behaviour. We observed species-dependent differences in the preference for an entrance location and configuration. Some individuals were found at both entrances, indicating a failed entrance attempt, followed by searching behaviour. However, most fish that passed the entrance structures showed a continuous upstream movement pattern. These results help to understand fish behaviour at obstacles and may contribute to the improvement of fishways, especially with respect to location and construction of entrances as well as the passage of fishway sections.
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/fishpassage_conference/2015/June23/11
Comments
Presenting Author Bio: 1999-2005: studies in Biology at Dresden University of Technology (TU Dresden) 2005-2011: research associate at the TU Dresden, Institute of Limnology and Institute of Waste Management and Contaminated Site Treatment 2008-2013: freelancer at the Deutsches Hygiene-Museum Dresden, teaching and supervision in a school laboratory 2012-present: research associate at the Federal Institut of Hydrology in Koblenz working at the topic of River Continuity