Developing performance standards in fish passage: Integrating ecology, engineering and socio-economics

O’Connor, J. P.; Hale, Robin; Mallen‐Cooper, Martin; Cooke, Steven J.; Stuart, Ivor G.

doi:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2022.106732

Cited by 20 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 79 publications

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“…This balance is particularly sensitive for a drying floodplain where passage delays are likely to contribute to fish mortality. Our data suggests that relatively long cycle and attraction times can be used but we still suggest consideration of more frequent cycling during peak seasonal migrations of fish or for species with potentially fast search patterns, such as the tagged golden perch, where migratory delays should be minimised (O'Connor et al., 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Escaping the dry: Native and non‐native fish outmigration from a receding floodplain following managed inundation

Stuart,

Sharpe,

O'Connor

et al. 2023

Freshwater Biology

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Many fish rely on being able to move between rivers and floodplains to fulfil key life history events, but river regulation has reduced floodplain inundation compromising these connections and causing the loss of ecosystem function more generally. Managed inundations are being trialled in some systems as a solution, whereby engineered floods using built infrastructure, such as floodplain regulators, are used to deliver water to inundate floodplains. However, the use of managed inundations is still in early stages and their outcomes for native fish have been rarely assessed. We present the results from a series of investigations assessing the effectiveness of two managed inundations on the native fish community in a large floodplain in south‐eastern Australia. We firstly described changes in fish assemblages in wetlands before and after managed inundation (Aim 1). We then examined which potential exits are used by golden perch, a highly mobile species that regularly moves between rivers and floodplains (Aim 2), and then assessed outmigration patterns of native and non‐native species during receding phase from one of the major golden perch exits via a fishlock (Aim 3). Finally, we conducted two experiments to test if it was possible to modify operation of the fishlock to maximise fish movement by varying the length of the operating cycle, or whether operation occurs during the day or night (Aim 4). We found that native fish dominated the catch in wetlands before drawdown of the managed inundation, but that non‐native species, especially young‐of‐year carp, dominated after the drawdown (Aim 1). Outmigrating golden perch left the floodplain wetlands in a variety of locations but predominantly through a fishlock, which is a type of fishway (Aim 2). At this fishlock, native fish outmigrated before and during the early phase of the floodplain recession, moving to permanent riverine habitats, whereas non‐native fish (mostly carp) tended to migrate later in the recession especially as water levels dropped (Aim 3). There were no substantive differences in the numbers and size of fish moving through the fishlock at different operating cycle times (Aim 4). While there were no differences in numbers of non‐native carp migrating during the day or night, native species (carp gudgeon and Australian smelt) were more common during the day. Our study has provided knowledge of the eco‐hydraulic mechanisms of fish movement, in relation to managed inundaitons. This knowledge can be applied to help water managers plan floodplain watering regimes in the Murray‐Darling Basin to benefit native fish, while potentially restricting movement of undesirable non‐native species such as carp. More broadly, our results improve current understanding of fish movement in relation to managed floodplain recession, which is critical given the increased use of such managed inundations, and the need for information to help design and evaluate them.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Escaping the dry: Native and non‐native fish outmigration from a receding floodplain following managed inundation

Stuart,

Sharpe,

O'Connor

et al. 2023

Freshwater Biology

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“…However, the mitigation effect of potentially present fish passes is selective for specific species and may even be harmful for some (Birnie‐Gauvin et al., 2019; Silva et al., 2018). For many species, the effectiveness is unknown due to lack of monitoring and performance standards (O'Connor et al., 2022; Silva et al., 2018), pointing at a need for further investigations of the benefits of fish passes. On the other hand, incompleteness of the dam data set may lead to an underestimation of the threats.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Threats of dams to the persistence of the world's freshwater fishes

Keijzer,

Barbarossa,

Marques

et al. 2024

Global Change Biology

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Habitat fragmentation due to dams is a well‐known threat to freshwater fish. Yet, the global consequences of fragmentation for the viability of freshwater fish populations are unknown. Here, we provide the first global assessment of the threats of dams to the persistence of freshwater fish species. We developed a global macroecological relationship between freshwater fish range size and body size and used this relationship to assess whether isolated range fragments are too small to support a species. Our assessment includes 7369 freshwater fish species and considers the effects of 31,780 dams globally. Furthermore, we performed a more detailed analysis of the threats of dams in Brazil, the greater Mekong region and the United States, using complementary national and regional data sets. Globally, more than half of the species analysed face extirpation in a part of their geographic range, with an average potential range loss of 3.3% (95%‐range: 0%–31.8%) across all species analysed. For 74 fish species, occurring in Brazil, China, India, the Mekong basin, the United States, South‐Africa and the East Adriatic Coast, more than 50% of their range is potentially lost. This includes 18 species threatened with extinction across their whole range. Our complementary regional analysis revealed that the potentially lost range increases by a factor of 2–4 when considering both large and small dams compared with considering only large dams (≥15 m), highlighting the need to establish more comprehensive global dam inventories. Our novel approach and global analysis identifies species at risk of extirpation as well as geographic hotspots of extirpation threat by dams, which can aid in establishing more effective strategies for global hydropower development and barrier removal efforts to optimise the trade‐offs between biodiversity conservation and the socio‐economic benefits of dams.

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“…Another likely reason is the difficulty in measuring benefits of fish-friendly irrigation and fishways, although various methods have been explored (e.g. Baumgartner et al 2021b ; Cooper et al 2019 ; Dodd et al 2018 ; O’Connor et al 2022 ; Marsden and Stuart 2019 ). Due to their recency, it may be too early to accurately assess impacts of reviewed FFIGs, especially as dissemination was hindered by COVID-19.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Useful? Fish-Friendly Irrigation Guidelines for the Lower Mekong Lack Definition in Five Key Areas

Duncan

Bond

Conallin

et al. 2023

Environmental Management

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A proliferation of irrigation infrastructure throughout the Mekong River has impacted the ability of certain fish species to migrate to fulfil their lifecycle. In response, fishways, a type of fish-friendly irrigation structure, have been developed to provide passage for these fish. In recent years, several guidelines documents providing guidance on fish-friendly irrigation structures and their construction have been published. The development process from guideline inception to publication is unclear, while their purpose, audience, and contribution to fishway practice are vague. This study is the first to review the development of three fish-friendly guideline documents, using structural criteria analysis, combined with qualitative data from 27 key informant interviews. It aimed to understand document elements such as purpose, audience, scope, and framing. The results showed reviewed guideline utility and impact could be improved by attention to five key aspects, namely: definition of target audience; engagement of target audience in guideline design; definition of guideline scope; specificity of recommendations; and evaluation. Attention to these 5 aspects may result in guidelines that are perceived as more useful by their target audience and have greater impact on water management practice.

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Developing performance standards in fish passage: Integrating ecology, engineering and socio-economics

Cited by 20 publications

References 79 publications

Escaping the dry: Native and non‐native fish outmigration from a receding floodplain following managed inundation

Escaping the dry: Native and non‐native fish outmigration from a receding floodplain following managed inundation

Threats of dams to the persistence of the world's freshwater fishes

How Useful? Fish-Friendly Irrigation Guidelines for the Lower Mekong Lack Definition in Five Key Areas

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