Reducing fish losses to cormorants using artificial fish refuges: an experimental study

Russell, I. C.; Parrott, Dave; Ives, M. J.; Goldsmith, Denise; Fox, Susan; Clifton-Dey, D.; Prickett, A. J.; Drew, Timothy

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2400.2008.00600.x

Cited by 18 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…The response of most stream‐dwelling salmonid fish (the family to which grayling belong) to immediate predation threat is to seek physical cover (Fraser & Huntingford, ; Dionne & Dodson, ) and this behaviour is shown by cyprinid fishes exposed to avian predation threat (Russell et al ., ; Orpwood et al ., ), but no strong evidence of this for grayling was obtained in this study. Unlike many stream‐dwelling salmonids, grayling tend to aggregate in small groups (Greenberg, Svendsen & Harby, ), especially in winter (Cove, ; M. Lucas, pers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Fish in space: local variations of home range and habitat use of a stream‐dwelling fish in relation to predator density

Lucas

Bubb

2014

Journal of Zoology

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A key response of animals to local environmental variation is altered use of space, but studies simultaneously examining local variation in habitat use and space use are uncommon. We predicted that elevated abundance of avian predators would result in grayling Thymallus thymallus, a stream‐dwelling fish, using mesohabitats containing more cover, superimposed on seasonal changes in use of key resources (and hence space use) for functions such as reproduction. Using radio‐telemetry, the pattern of space and habitat use by 40 wild grayling was determined in neighbouring stream sections in relation to season and predator density. Grayling used different habitats between seasons, but displayed similar patterns of habitat use in adjacent sections. Although patterns of habitat use were stable between stream sections, space use was not. In two winter periods, grayling ranged significantly more widely where there were significantly greater densities of avian predators, especially cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo. No such differences were apparent in summer when cormorants were absent, but experimental manipulation of predator densities was not possible, so results are correlative. Support for a predator effect is provided from significantly greater rates of injury, associated with avian beak scar marks, present on grayling from the section with highest avian predator densities, compared with adjacent sections with lower levels of avian predators. Unlike many studies of fish behaviour to elevated predation risk, in which fish make greater use of ‘refuge’ habitat, grayling exhibited wide‐ranging behaviour and high activity, possibly reflecting avoidance behaviour.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Fish in space: local variations of home range and habitat use of a stream‐dwelling fish in relation to predator density

Lucas

Bubb

2014

Journal of Zoology

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“…This absence of competitive exclusion can be expected to allow dense packing of conspecifics within shelters. In experimental trials (Russell et al. 2008), relatively small volumes of artificial refuges relative to size of waterbody had a significant positive value in protecting fish from predators.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Brushwood shelters (Goldsmith et al. 2008; Russell et al. 2008) comprising an angle iron frame spanning the width of the stream, positioned partly in the shallow area and partly in the pool, were present in each test arena (Fig.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2005) when aquatic vegetation has died back to some extent, temperatures are cold and fish swimming speed, and hence their ability to escape, is relatively low. Although artificial shelters have benefits in protecting fish from cormorants in simple barren ponds (Russell et al. 2008), it is not clear how effective they may be when natural marginal vegetation is abundant.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2008), it is not clear how effective they may be when natural marginal vegetation is abundant. Artificial shelters that have been employed thus far are small in size compared with the total volume of the water bodies in which they have been deployed (Russell et al. 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Efficacy of artificial shelters for roach, Rutilus rutilus, against predators in the presence of reeds

Orpwood¹,

Miles²,

Russell³

et al. 2010

Fisheries Management Eco

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Cormorants, Phalacocorax spp., have great potential to affect recreational fisheries and have increased substantially in abundance over the last decades in UK inland waters. Fabricated refuges provide a potential means of reducing fish losses, yet the benefits of such structures may be marginal if natural shelters are abundant and favoured, or if strong density-dependence limits refuge use. This study examined the efficacy of artificial shelters in mesocosm enclosures that allowed standardised and replicated observations of roach, Rutilus rutilus (L.), distribution. When given a choice between occupying open water, simulated reedbeds and artificial brushwood shelters, roach used brushwood shelters extensively across a range of fish densities. When fish had a choice of occupying open water or reedbeds offering no overhead cover, they actively avoided reedbeds and used open water almost exclusively. Occupation of reedbeds was positively related to the amount of overhead cover they provided. When artificial brushwood shelters and reedbeds offered complete overhead cover, brushwood shelters were occupied twice as much as reedbeds. Artificial shelters may therefore have wide application in stillwaters with abundant reedbeds unless the reedbeds are coupled with extensive overhead cover. K E Y W O R D S : cormorant, passive integrated transponder, predation, refuge, semi-natural, winter.

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Spawning Redd Habitat Use and Selection by Invasive Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) Along a Longitudinal Gradient in a Headwater Stream

Mundahl,

Schnaser,

Bergen

2024

River Research & Apps

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As stream habitats change from upstream to downstream, choice of spawning redd sites by brown trout may shift as habitat availability changes. In a previous study, we examined the importance of overhead cover or shade in redd site selection. Here, we examined spawning site habitat use and selection by brown trout by assessing physical characteristics at redd sites in a 4.8‐km reach of Garvin Brook (southeastern Minnesota, USA) during each of five spawning seasons, 2016–2020. We measured redd dimensions, water depths, and current velocities, and compared these among four separate sections (900–1900 m in length) of the stream. We also assessed available habitats within each section to examine possible selection of habitats by spawning trout, plus quantified the size distribution of gravel substrate at redd sites within two stream sections. Habitat availability varied dramatically among stream sections. After analyzing 1844 redds from the five spawning seasons, brown trout displayed strong selection for water depths between 10 and 29 cm and current velocities between 10 and 49 cm/s. Preferred/selected water depths and current velocities increased by 7 cm and 10 cm/s, respectively, between upstream and downstream sections. All redds were located in gravel/cobble substrates, with variations in size distributions of gravels not correlated to redd dimensions or any measured habitat variable. Spawning site preferences of brown trout can change along a stream reach of moderate length, likely in relation to changing availability of various combinations of water depth, velocity, substrate, available cover, and trout abundance.

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Reducing fish losses to cormorants using artificial fish refuges: an experimental study

Cited by 18 publications

References 19 publications

Fish in space: local variations of home range and habitat use of a stream‐dwelling fish in relation to predator density

Fish in space: local variations of home range and habitat use of a stream‐dwelling fish in relation to predator density

Efficacy of artificial shelters for roach, Rutilus rutilus, against predators in the presence of reeds

Spawning Redd Habitat Use and Selection by Invasive Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) Along a Longitudinal Gradient in a Headwater Stream

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