Event Title

Session C5: Behaviour of Seaward Migrating Eel at Water Intakes and Low Head Hydropower

Location

Groningen, The Netherlands

Event Website

http://fishpassage.umass.edu/

Start Date

23-6-2015 2:30 PM

End Date

23-6-2015 2:45 PM

Description

The severe decline of the critically endangered European eel (Anguilla anguilla) has in part been attributed to delayed or blocked seaward migration of escaping adults (silver eels) at river infrastructure. Eels can suffer high rates of injury and mortality at pumps and hydropower turbines and are susceptible to impingement at exclusion screens. For the few downstream guidance and passage solutions trialled for eels, effectiveness is highly variable but generally low. Archimedes screw turbines are considered one of the most ‘fish-friendly’ forms of hydropower. While direct damage and mortality may be lower for Archimedes than other turbines, a two year field study highlighted the influence of a low-head Archimedes facility on the behaviour and downstream passage of silver eel. There has been a historic bias towards physical as opposed to behavioural exclusion or guidance for eel, yet there is increased understanding of the influence of hydrodynamics in the attraction and passage of fish. In a replicated experimental field study employing sub-metre acoustic positioning telemetry at a water intake, we investigated the response of actively migrating adult eel to manipulated flow fields. Eels rarely followed direct routes through the site and displayed avoidance behaviours on encountering constricted flows. Further studies investigated the influence of infrasound as a possible deterrent device within the intake. Findings offer potential to develop behavioural guidance to improve fish passage solutions and enhance traditional physical screening for eel.

Comments

Presenting Author Bio: Dr Piper’s research has included large fieldbased investigations with multiple stakeholders in national and international projects and he also collaborates closely with partners in relevant public bodies (Environment Agency, Cefas) and industry (Water and Power). He has worked extensively on European eel, employing telemetry techniques to address questions concerning eel migration and riverine barriers. Most recent post-doctoral research at the University of Southampton (ICER) focussed on developing behavioural guidance (infrasound and hydrodynamic manipulation) to deter adult phase European eel from deleterious areas (e.g. water intakes), and assessing the impacts of low head hydropower on fish communities. Prior to his PhD, also at Southampton University, he managed Fisheries, Biology and Marine teams in the Environment Agency and continues to work with this organisation, translating his research findings into real world management applications to improve fish passage.

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Jun 23rd, 2:30 PM Jun 23rd, 2:45 PM

Session C5: Behaviour of Seaward Migrating Eel at Water Intakes and Low Head Hydropower

Groningen, The Netherlands

The severe decline of the critically endangered European eel (Anguilla anguilla) has in part been attributed to delayed or blocked seaward migration of escaping adults (silver eels) at river infrastructure. Eels can suffer high rates of injury and mortality at pumps and hydropower turbines and are susceptible to impingement at exclusion screens. For the few downstream guidance and passage solutions trialled for eels, effectiveness is highly variable but generally low. Archimedes screw turbines are considered one of the most ‘fish-friendly’ forms of hydropower. While direct damage and mortality may be lower for Archimedes than other turbines, a two year field study highlighted the influence of a low-head Archimedes facility on the behaviour and downstream passage of silver eel. There has been a historic bias towards physical as opposed to behavioural exclusion or guidance for eel, yet there is increased understanding of the influence of hydrodynamics in the attraction and passage of fish. In a replicated experimental field study employing sub-metre acoustic positioning telemetry at a water intake, we investigated the response of actively migrating adult eel to manipulated flow fields. Eels rarely followed direct routes through the site and displayed avoidance behaviours on encountering constricted flows. Further studies investigated the influence of infrasound as a possible deterrent device within the intake. Findings offer potential to develop behavioural guidance to improve fish passage solutions and enhance traditional physical screening for eel.

https://scholarworks.umass.edu/fishpassage_conference/2015/June23/66