Comparison of sinking and floating gill nets for collecting shads ( Dorosoma spp.) in shallow Florida lakes

N American J Fish Manag

2021

Self Cite

Standard weight equations have been proposed for a variety of fishes, including many nongame species. Here, we developed standard weight (W s ) equations for Lake Chubsucker Erimyzon succetta using the traditional regression-line-percentile technique and the newer empirical-percentile method. Length and weight data for 19,727 Lake Chubsuckers from 8 to 42 cm TL and 129 populations were used in the final analysis. These fish were collected from 1977 to 2020 by various agency and university personnel from most known populations across the species' range in North America. This species is considered vulnerable, imperiled, or extirpated in several Midwestern and northern states, but it appears to be secure in the Southeast. The resulting W s equations were log 10 W = −5.0962 + 3.1125 × log 10 L and log 10 W = -5.9735 + 3.8828 × log 10 L −0.1701 × (log 10 L) 2 for the RLP and quadratic empirical-percentile method techniques, respectively, where W is weight (g) and L is total length (TL, mm). The regression-linepercentile equation exhibited a greater length-related bias especially at the ends of the length spectrum, so we recommend the quadratic empirical-percentile equation for this species. We also developed standard length categories for assessing fish population size structure. We propose minimum lengths for five standard length categories of 11, 18, 24, 28, and 35 cm TL for stock, quality, preferred, memorable, and trophy sizes, respectively. Development of a W s equation and standard length categories will aid biologists in assessing condition and size structure of wild Lake Chubsucker populations and those being propagated for supplemental stocking into trophy bass ponds for native forage or in areas with depressed native populations. Additionally, by evaluating this nongame species that occupies the same environments as higher profile game fish species, a more holistic approach of evaluating the overall health of systems can be examined.

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proposed Standard Weight Equation and Standard Length Categories for Lake Chubsucker

N American J Fish Manag

2021

Self Cite

“…Some protocols were developed to monitor target fish populations, such as important sport fishes, whereas others were chosen to track changes in fish communities. For example, the winter gillnet protocol is used to monitor pelagic species such as Threadfin Shad Dorosoma petenense in offshore areas, whereas boat electrofishing in the fall is used to monitor nearshore (≤2 m depth) fish communities (Bonvechio et al , 2012. Previously, no protocol was in place for assessing shallow-water fish communities, which typically contain nonsport fish species and juvenile fishes not commonly sampled with other gears.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of Mini‐Fyke Nets for Sampling Shallow‐Water Fish Communities in Florida Lakes

N American J Fish Manag

Sawyers

Bitz

et al. 2014

We evaluated mini‐fyke nets for sampling shore‐based (SB; <1 m deep) fish communities in Florida lakes. Specifically, we wanted to determine the most effective deployment method and sample size required for adequately characterizing fish communities in these habitats. Shallow SB (0.15–0.6 m) net sets, in which nets were not completely submersed, collected significantly more individuals and a larger proportion of poeciliids. However, deep SB (0.6–1.0 m) net sets, in which nets were completely submersed, collected a larger proportion of centrarchids, cyprinids, and cyprinidontids. Net placement also significantly affected the overall catch and composition of samples. Nets placed in locations away from the lake boundary tended to collect actively schooling fishes such as Threadfin Shad Dorosoma petenense and cyprinids. Nets placed next to the lake boundary tended to collect species associated with shallow, vegetated habitats, particularly poeciliids, at greater frequencies. In some cases, the collection of these fishes was unique to a particular deployment method. Our results suggest that in long‐term monitoring of Florida's shore‐based lentic fish communities, nets should be placed in SB waters with the lead extending to the lake boundary. Although long‐term sampling objectives may vary, we determined that a sampling target of 30 net sets was sufficient for characterizing the fish community in terms of percentage composition, species richness, and species diversity. Furthermore, we recommend the continued use of additional gears to fully characterize littoral fish communities.Received December 19, 2013; accepted March 1, 2014

Survey Evaluation of Florida’s Freshwater Fisheries Long-Term Monitoring Program

Paudyal

Crandall

et al. 2023

Fishes

Natural resource monitoring programs benefit from routine evaluation. Here, Florida’s statewide Freshwater Fisheries Long-Term Monitoring (LTM) program is used to show how stakeholder surveys can be integral to this process. In 2022, an online questionnaire was sent to internal stakeholders, i.e., state agency personnel who collect, enter, or use freshwater fisheries data for fisheries and habitat management purposes. The survey’s primary objective was to evaluate the program at its 15-year mark; secondary objectives were to compare results with a similar survey conducted at the 4-year mark, compare results among respondents based on experience and functional role, and develop recommendations for strategic initiatives to further improve the program. The survey consisted of 43 questions across six sections of program evaluation: demographics; field sampling; data entry, summary, and reporting; management decision support; programmatic views; and additional input. Respondents generally had positive views of the LTM program, but the survey revealed differences among respondents with different functional roles (e.g., fisheries researchers and managers viewed the decisional value, priority, and sample sizes of LTM data more favorably than habitat managers) while highlighting high-priority future initiatives (e.g., database development). Our results demonstrate the utility of stakeholder surveys as an important step in evaluating monitoring programs.