Changes in Population Indices of a Diminishing Burbot Population in the Kootenai River, Idaho, USA and British Columbia, Canada

Paragamian, Vaughn L.; McCormick, Joshua L.; Laude, C.

doi:10.1080/02705060.2008.9664243

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…If a species like lake trout is over‐exploited, other predators, such as burbot, could suppress recovery (Lepak et al., 2006; Jacobs et al., 2010; Luek et al., 2010). Although burbot are not at risk in most Canadian waters, there are stocks in southern Canada and the United States that are at risk (Paragamian et al., 2008; Dixon and Vokoun, 2009; Stapanian et al., 2010) and burbot are imperilled or extirpated in other areas of their global range (Stapanian et al., 2010; Worthington et al., 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Food web position of burbot relative to lake trout, northern pike, and lake whitefish in four sub-Arctic boreal lakes

Cott

Johnston

Gunn

2011

Journal of Applied Ichthyology

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SummaryWe assessed the food web position of burbot Lota lota relative to co-occurring large-bodied fishes in four northern (62°40¢N, 114°10¢W) boreal shield lakes of similar size (305-547 ha) using a stable isotope approach. Trophic position (inferred from d 15 N) was positively correlated to body mass in burbot, lake trout Salvelinus namaycush, and northern pike Esox lucius, but negatively correlated to body mass in lake whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis. Carbon source (inferred from d 13 C) was positively correlated to body mass in lake whitefish, but not related to body mass in any of the other three species. In all lakes, burbot had d 15 N and d 13C signatures very similar to those of lake trout. Both burbot and lake trout were more d 15 N-enriched than northern pike (P < 0.001). Lake trout had lower d 13 C than northern pike and lake whitefish (P = 0.0023) but not burbot. Our results confirm that burbot occupy a position near the top of the food chain in boreal lakes and may play an important role in structuring the limnetic fish community.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Food web position of burbot relative to lake trout, northern pike, and lake whitefish in four sub-Arctic boreal lakes

Cott

Johnston

Gunn

2011

Journal of Applied Ichthyology

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“…An examination of the proportional stock density (PSD; Anderson and Weithman 1978;Gablehouse 1984) of Burbot from the combined periodic hoop net sampling over 46 years showed that their mean length increased from 459 mm TL in the 1957-1958 sample to 615 mm in the 2002-2004 sample (Paragamian et al 2008a). The PSD did not increase appreciably (only from 92 to 98) between the two samples, but the relative stock density increased from 17 to 86, indicating that the population was increasing in average length with very few young fish entering the population.…”

Section: Population Vital Statisticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The PSD did not increase appreciably (only from 92 to 98) between the two samples, but the relative stock density increased from 17 to 86, indicating that the population was increasing in average length with very few young fish entering the population. Concomitant to the change in length structure was a significant decline in catch per unit of effort (Paragamian et al 2008a).…”

Section: Population Vital Statisticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Synthesis of Kootenai River Burbot Stock History and Future Management Goals

Hardy

Paragamian

2013

Trans Am Fish Soc

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In Idaho, Burbot Lota lota are endemic only to the Kootenai River, where they once provided an important winter fishery to the indigenous people and European settlers. This fishery and that of Kootenay Lake in British Columbia may have been the most robust Burbot fisheries in North America. However, the fishery in Idaho rapidly declined after the construction of Libby Dam by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1972, and it closed in 1992. Concomitant to the collapse in Idaho was the collapse of the Burbot fishery in Kootenay Lake and the Kootenay River. The operation of Libby Dam for hydroelectric power generation and flood control created major changes in the river's nutrient concentration, temperature, and seasonal discharge, particularly during the winter when Burbot spawn. Libby Dam operations were implicated as the major limiting factor to Burbot recruitment, giving rise to higher winter temperatures and widely fluctuating flows. Because the Burbot in the Kootenai River are at risk of demographic extinction, a conservation strategy was prepared to outline the measures necessary to rehabilitate the Burbot population to a self-sustaining level. The strategy indicated that operational discharge changes at Libby Dam are required during winter to provide suitable temperature and discharge conditions for Burbot migration and spawning. Studies recommend that the discharge at Bonners Ferry average 176 m 3 /s for a minimum of 90 d (midNovember through mid-February). Furthermore, preferred Burbot water temperatures of about 6 • C are necessary for migration and cooler temperatures of 1-4 • C for spawning. With each passing year, Burbot stock limitations increasingly constrain rehabilitation. Thus, coordination of intensive culture, extensive rearing, and pen rearing among the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, the British Columbia Ministry of Environment, the University of Idaho's Aquatic Research Institute, and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game is important for restoration.

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Changes in Population Indices of a Diminishing Burbot Population in the Kootenai River, Idaho, USA and British Columbia, Canada

Abstract: We quantified changes that occurred in proportional stock density (PSD), relative stock density (RSD), relative weight (Wr

Cited by 2 publications

References 17 publications

Food web position of burbot relative to lake trout, northern pike, and lake whitefish in four sub-Arctic boreal lakes

Food web position of burbot relative to lake trout, northern pike, and lake whitefish in four sub-Arctic boreal lakes

A Synthesis of Kootenai River Burbot Stock History and Future Management Goals

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