Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfish: The Second International Symposium

2011 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mississippi River ◽  
Age Estimation ◽  
Fish Population ◽  
High Variability ◽  
Annual Growth ◽  
Age And Growth ◽  
Large Fish ◽  
Conservation Ecology ◽  
Flathead Catfish ◽  
Actual Growth

<em>Abstract</em>.—Characterizing dynamics of a fish population requires accurate age estimation for individual fish, and few studies have collected basic age and growth information for flathead catfish in the upper Mississippi River (UMR). Multiple methods were used to calculate age and growth of flathead catfish from the UMR. Length at age was determined using sectioned otoliths and pectoral spines cut on the articulating process. Most research has shown that otoliths provide the most accurate age when compared to other structures. Otoliths require sacrifice of many fish, including very large fish (i.e.: >762 mm). Otoliths and pectoral spines were collected from commercially harvested flathead catfish from Pools 12 and 13 (river kilometer [rkm] 841.0–938.3), UMR, aged and compared. Growth was similar between genders, and there was little difference in growth predicted by the two aging structures. Spine articulating processes and otoliths both showed high variability in growth starting at age 1. When we compared the two structures, the spine articulating process accurately aged fish up to 17 years old (mean total length = 907 mm) before loss of annuli occurred. Aging flathead catfish with the spine articulating process provides an accurate, reliable, affordable, nonlethal aging technique that may be preferable in many situations as opposed to otoliths. Annual and seasonal growth was calculated from flathead catfish captured from Pool 13 (rkm 841.0–895.9), UMR, tagged with a visual implant tag and subsequently recaptured. Actual growth over the summer was estimated to be 0.25 mm/d, and growth from year to year was estimated to be 32 mm/year. The actual annual growth (31.9 mm/year) calculated from tag returns validates estimates of annual growth derived from otolith (30.2 mm/year) and spine articulating process (31.0 mm/ year) aging techniques.

Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfish: The Second International Symposium

2011 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Mississippi River ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Catch Per Unit Effort ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Conservation Ecology ◽  
Flathead Catfish ◽  
Baseline Information ◽  
Catch Statistics

<em>Abstract</em>.—Flathead catfish <em>Pylodictis olivaris</em> are native to Missouri and comprise one of the most important recreational and commercial fisheries in Missouri. Our specific study objective was to describe catch statistics for flathead catfish populations in moderate-large rivers in Missouri to provide sampling guidance for fisheries managers where a paucity of information existed. We used low-frequency (15 Hz) DC electrofishing and hoop nets in segments of the Grand, Lamine, and Platte rivers and pools 20–22 of the upper Mississippi River (UMR) during April–July 2006–2007. Electrofishing mean catch per unit effort (CPUE) ranged from 13.1 (Lamine) to 116.6 (UMR) fish/h while hoop-net mean CPUE ranged from 0.131 (Lamine) to 0.694 (Grand) fish/hoop-net-night. Length distributions showed that hoop nets caught a higher relative abundance of flathead catfish over 40 cm total length (TL) compared to electrofishing, most notably in the Grand and Platte rivers, whereas electrofishing caught relatively more flathead catfish under 35 cm TL in all rivers compared to hoop nets. Our results indicate that a combination of low-frequency (15 Hz) electrofishing and hoop nets should be used during the period of April 15 through July 15 to best represent length structure and relative abundance of flathead catfish populations in these rivers. More specifically, we found low-frequency electrofishing to be most effective for stock size and larger flathead catfish during mid-April to mid-June; however, these results were not as conclusive in 2007. As popularity and angling pressure of these fisheries increases, our results will provide managers with sampling guidance and baseline information in efforts to develop high-quality flathead catfish populations in selected rivers.

Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfish: The Second International Symposium

2011 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Age Estimation ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Early Life History ◽  
Blue Catfish ◽  
Conservation Ecology ◽  
Flathead Catfish ◽  
Daily Increments ◽  
Daily Ring ◽  
Management And Conservation

<em>Abstract</em>.—We validated methods for estimating daily age of age-0 blue catfish <em>Ictalurus furcatus</em> and flathead catfish <em>Pylodictis olivaris</em>. Larvae of each species were reared in the laboratory and were sampled approximately every 10 d over a 4-month period. Five individuals of each species were randomly selected for daily age estimation from each of nine age-groups, ranging from 40 to 119 d posthatch for blue catfish and 20–121 d posthatch for flathead catfish. Mean daily ring count and known age were related for both species, indicating that daily ring deposition occurred in the otoliths of these fishes. Daily increment counts were accurate through 60 d posthatch for blue catfish and through 72 d posthatch for flathead catfish, with mean deviance of estimated age within 1 d of the known age. For both species, daily increments could be enumerated for older fish; however, accuracy decreased with age. We encourage researchers to utilize our aging technique to estimate hatch dates, the timing and frequency of hatching, and early growth rates of catfishes in wild populations. Such early life history information will be valuable in enhancing the management and conservation of important catfish populations.

Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfish: The Second International Symposium

2011 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Channel Catfish ◽  
Mississippi River ◽  
Upper Mississippi River ◽  
Catch Per Unit Effort ◽  
Blue Catfish ◽  
Resource Monitoring ◽  
Flathead Catfish ◽  
Unit Effort ◽  
Catch Rates

<em>Abstract</em>.—Using Long Term Resource Monitoring Program data collected from impounded (Pool 26) and unimpounded (Open River) reaches of the upper Mississippi River, we investigated population dynamics of flathead catfish <em>Pylodictis olivaris</em>, channel catfish <em>Ictalurus punctatus</em>, and blue catfish <em>I. furcatus</em> from random sites located in side channel border (SCB) and main channel border (MCB) habitats. Objectives were to (1) compare trends (1993–2007) of three catfishes collected in Pool 26 and Open River reaches of the upper Mississippi River, and (2) provide needed information to managers on population dynamics through time using a binary gear approach of active (i.e., daytime electrofishing) and passive gears (hoopnetting). Active gears resulted in a higher catch per unit effort (CPUE) of all catfishes in each habitat–reach combination as compared to passive gears. Passive gears resulted in negligible catches of blue catfish and flathead catfishes (e.g., mean of <1 fish/net night). Catch per unit effort using active gear resulted in a greater number of channel catfish captured in Pool 26 compared to the Open River, with Open River SCB habitat having the lowest CPUE in most years. Blue catfish in the Open River had a higher CPUE using active gear as compared to Pool 26, with the Open River MCB having the greatest CPUE. Flathead catfish had a higher CPUE in MCB habitat compared to SCB habitat, with the Open River MCB having the highest CPUE in most years. However, declining trends in flathead catfish appears to be occurring in Open River habitats while trends in flathead catfish appear to be slightly increasing in Pool 26. The most common length-classes captured were substock and stock-sized fish regardless of habitat, species, or reach. Trends for channel catfish were easily determined due to high catch rates; however, more monitoring and enhanced sampling is needed to accurately assess flathead catfish and blue catfish trends and to accurately determine demographics for all three species.

Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfish: The Second International Symposium

2011 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
International Symposium ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Pylodictis Olivaris ◽  
Social Event ◽  
Conservation Ecology ◽  
Party Size ◽  
Catch And Release ◽  
Flathead Catfish ◽  
Creel Survey ◽  
Total Effort

<em>Abstract</em>.—Hand grabbing for catfish has been practiced in Mississippi for many years; however, few studies have addressed this fishing technique. Ross Barnett Reservoir is a<em> Abstract</em>.—Hand grabbing for catfish has been practiced in Mississippi for many years; however, few studies have addressed this fishing technique. Ross Barnett Reservoir is a 13,360-ha impoundment located in central Mississippi that supports a substantial hand grabbing fishery. A roving creel survey was conducted during the 2007 and 2008 Mississippi hand grabbing season (May 1–July 15). Objectives were to estimate catch, harvest, and effort of hand grabbers and to solicit information concerning techniques used by these anglers. A total of 37 parties was interviewed, consisting of 150 total anglers. Seventy percent of the parties interviewed targeted flathead catfish <em>Pylodictis olivaris</em>. Ninety-five percent of the parties used a probe, and all parties fished boxes located at depths of 1–2 m. Average party size was four anglers, indicating that hand grabbing is a social event. For 2007 and 2008, anglers spent an estimated 4,424 and 5,259 h hand grabbing, respectively. An estimated 3,313 and 2,589 catfish were harvested in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Based on size structure of harvested catfish, hand grabbing anglers at Ross Barnett Reservoir do not appear to be size-selective. Most anglers were harvest-oriented, with catch-and-release estimates making up only 12% and 9%, respectively. Future creel surveys should be directed at the total effort allocated toward catfishing, in an effort to determine the effect of hand grabbing on Ross Barnett Reservoir.

Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfish: The Second International Symposium

2011 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
High Survival ◽  
Population Abundance ◽  
Conservation Ecology ◽  
Temporary Emigration ◽  
Minnesota River ◽  
Flathead Catfish ◽  
High Site

<em>Abstract</em>.—The flathead catfish <em>Pylodictis olivaris</em> is one of the most important game fishes in the lower Minnesota River, providing a high-quality angling fishery. Information on flathead catfish movements and site fidelity in the Minnesota River at the reach scale is needed before fisheries managers consider options such as reach-specific fishing regulations. In addition, this information is necessary to determine if estimates of population abundance are feasible and what study design is most appropriate. Therefore, 18 radio- and acoustic-tagged adult flathead catfish were manually located in the lower Minnesota River during late summer and fall in 2008 and 2009. Most fish remained within about 2 km of their capture locations during daylight hours in August–September 2008. However, 17% of the fish emigrated from the 9.3-km study reach before the end of September, and all emigrated by the end of October. Fourteen (78%) of the original 18 fish survived and were present in the study reach again during August–September 2009. High site fidelity could result in heterogeneous vulnerability to late-summer angling among river reaches if some individual fish consistently return to areas frequented by anglers and others return to more remote and relatively inaccessible areas. Due to high survival and late-summer site fidelity, the potential exists for high recapture probabilities with repeated late-summer mark–recapture sampling in the same study reach; however, there is evidence that temporary emigration could be an important issue in long-term studies.

Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfish: The Second International Symposium

2011 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
International Symposium ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Missouri River ◽  
Natural State ◽  
Pylodictis Olivaris ◽  
Conservation Ecology ◽  
Flathead Catfish ◽  
Growth Increments

<em>Abstract</em>.—An assessment of the flathead catfish <em>Pylodictis olivaris</em> population in the Missouri River bordering Nebraska was conducted between 1997 through 2008. The Missouri River was divided into four sections based on physical and geomorphologic uniqueness (upper unchannelized, lower unchannelized, upper channelized, and lower channelized). Two sections were sampled annually, and each section was sampled on alternate years. Boat electrofishing collected 12,846 fish in 83.5 h from 701 sampling stations. Most flathead catfish sampled (98%) were less than 510 mm total length (quality length), with significantly more fish captured in channelized than unchannelized reach. Fish from channelized sections also had higher mean total lengths and larger growth increments but were in poorer body condition than those from unchannelized sections. Low relative abundance of flathead catfish in the upper unchannelized section and scarcity of large individuals were attributed to poor habitat conditions. Habitat restoration along with restoring natural riverine processes would return the river to a more natural state and would not only benefit flathead catfish, but other native Missouri River fishes as well.

Age and growth of pallid sturgeon in the free-flowing Mississippi River

2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 452-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. J. Killgore ◽  
J. J. Hoover ◽  
J. P. Kirk ◽  
S. G. George ◽  
B. R. Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mississippi River ◽  
Age And Growth ◽  
Pallid Sturgeon

scholarly journals Queen triggerfish Balistes vetula: Validation of otolith-based age, growth, and longevity estimates via application of bomb radiocarbon

PLoS ONE ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. e0262281
Author(s):  
Virginia R. Shervette ◽  
Jesús M. Rivera Hernández
Keyword(s):  
Age Estimation ◽  
Atlantic Coast ◽  
Fork Length ◽  
Growth Function ◽  
Age And Growth ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Fisheries Science ◽  
Fish Samples ◽  
Age Estimates

Ensuring the accuracy of age estimation in fisheries science through validation is an essential step in managing species for long-term sustainable harvest. The current study used Δ14 C in direct validation of age estimation for queen triggerfish Balistes vetula and conclusively documented that triggerfish sagittal otoliths provide more accurate and precise age estimates relative to dorsal spines. Caribbean fish samples (n = 2045) ranged in size from 67–473 mm fork length (FL); 23 fish from waters of the southeastern U.S. (SEUS) Atlantic coast ranged in size from 355–525 mm FL. Otolith-based age estimates from Caribbean fish range from 0–23 y, dorsal spine-based age estimates ranged from 1–14 y. Otolith-based age estimates for fish from the SEUS ranged from 8–40 y. Growth function estimates from otoliths in the current study (L∞ = 444, K = 0.13, t0 = -1.12) differed from spined-derived estimates in the literature. Our work indicates that previously reported maximum ages for Balistes species based on spine-derived age estimates may underestimate longevity of these species since queen triggerfish otolith-based ageing extended maximum known age for the species by nearly three-fold (14 y from spines versus 40 y from otoliths). Future research seeking to document age and growth population parameters of Balistes species should strongly consider incorporating otolith-based ageing in the research design.

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