Title
Blood Lactic Acid Levels and Mortality of American Shad (Alosa sapidissima) Utilizing the Holyoke Dam Fishlift Massachusetts, 1974 and 1975
Publication Date
1976
Publication Title
Proceedings of a Workshop on American Shad
Start Page
261
End Page
284
Abstract
Blood lactic acid levels and immediate fishlift induced mortality were monitored in 1974 and 1975 to determine the stress incurred by American shad (Alosa sapidissima) in a fish elevator system, and to evaluate improvements made to this system. In 1974 mean blood lactic acid levels of shad increased three-fold during passage through the system. By 1975, improvements were complete, and mean lactic acid levels did not significantly increase during passage. Females had significantly higher levels in both years. Immediate fishlift mortality was 3.89% and 1,40% of all shad lifted in 1974 and 1975 respectively. The lower lactic acid levels and fishlift mortality in 1975 appeared to result from less handling of shad in the improved fishlift.