Attraction and passage efficiency were reviewed and compared from 19 monitoring studies that produced data for evaluations of pooland-weir, Denil, vertical-slot and nature-like fishways. Data from 26 species of anadromous and potamodromous fishes from six countries were separated by year and taxonomic family into a matrix with 101 records. Attraction performance was highly variable for the following fishway structures: pool-and-weir (attraction range=29-100%, mean=77%, median=81%), vertical-slot (attraction range= 0-100%, mean=63%, median=80%), Denil (attraction range=21-100%, mean=61%, median=57%) and nature-like (attraction range= 0-100%, mean=48%, median=50%). Mean passage efficiency was inversely related to mean attraction efficiency by fishway structure type, with the highest passage for nature-like fishways (range=0-100%, mean=70%, median=86%), followed by Denil (range=0-97%, mean=51%, median=38%), vertical-slot (range=0-100%, mean=45%, median=43%) and pool-and-weir (range=0-100%, mean=40%, median=34%). Principal components analysis and logistic regression modelling indicated that variation in fish attraction was driven by biological characteristics of the fish that were studied, whereas variation in fish passage was related to fishway type, slope and elevation change. This meta-analysis revealed that the species of fish monitored and structural design of the fishways have strong implications for both attraction and passage performance, and in most cases, existing data are not sufficient to support design recommendations. Many more fishway evaluations are needed over a range of species, fishway types and configurations to characterize, to optimize and to design new fishways. Furthermore, these studies must be performed in a consistent manner to identify the relative contributions of fish attraction and passage to overall fishway performance at each site. Bridge Costal Restoration Program, Project 07. BRGH 01, BC Hydro, Vancouver, British Columbia. Roscoe DW, Hinch SG. 2010. Effectiveness monitoring of fish passage facilities: historical trends, geographic patterns and future direction. Fish and Fisheries 11: 12-33.

The ability to traverse barriers of high-velocity flow limits the distributions of many diadromous and other migratory fish species, yet very few data exist that quantify this ability. We provide a detailed analysis of sprint swimming ability of six migratory fish species (American shad (Alosa sapidissima), alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis), striped bass (Morone saxatilis), walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), and white sucker (Catostomus commersoni)) against controlled water velocities of 1.5–4.5 m·s–1 in a large, open-channel flume. Performance was strictly voluntary: no coercive incentives were used to motivate fish to sprint. We used these data to generate models of maximum distance traversed, taking into account effects of flow velocity, body length, and temperature. Although the maximum distance traversed decreased with increasing velocity, the magnitude of this effect varied among species. Other covariate effects were likewise variable, with divergent effects of temperature and nonuniform length effects. These effects do not account for all of the variability in performance, however, and behavioral traits may account for observed interspecific differences. We propose the models be used to develop criteria for fish passage structures, culverts, and breached dams.

A new method for tracking small fishes in shallow streams based on passive integrated transponder (PIT) technology, using a portable reading unit, was investigated. The device consists of a chest-mounted palmtop computer, a reader, and a 12-V battery enclosed in a backpack, connected to a 60-cm-diameter coil antenna mounted on a 4-m-long pole. The method was field tested with wild Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, parr using transponders 23.1 mm long and 3.9 mm in diameter surgically implanted in the peritoneal cavity of the fish. Laboratory experiments indicated no posttagging mortality for fish > 84 mm in fork length and no tag loss when sutures were used. In the field, tag detection distance was up to 1 m. While moving the antenna above the stream surface, the operator could locate a fish's position to within a square metre. Experiments indicated that more than 80% of tagged parr, on average, were detected by the reader. The technique is a useful alternative to standard radiotelemetry in small-scale environments because PIT tags can be implanted in smaller-bodied fishes and fine-scale movements of individuals can be studied. It can be applied to address numerous questions in the fields of animal behaviour, habitat use, and population dynamics.

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Behavior and passage rate of smolts of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and juvenile American shad Alosa sapidissima were compared between a standard (sharp‐crested) and a modified surface bypass weir that employs uniform flow velocity increase (1 m·s−1·m−1 of linear distance). Within the first 30 min after release, significantly more smolts passed the modified weir than the standard weir, but no differences in passage rate between weir types were noted for juvenile American shad. More Atlantic salmon smolts and juvenile American shad were passed by the modified weir in groups of two or more than were passed by the standard weir. Mean lengths of passed and nonpassed smolts were not significantly different between weir types, but American shad passed by the sharp‐crested weir were significantly smaller than nonpassed fish. Most individuals of both species that passed the modified weir maintained positive rheotaxis and strong swimming throughout the length of the weir. In addition to acceleration, visual cues may be an important factor in avoidance behaviors near bypass entrances. The observed reduction of delay time before passage and maintenance of school integrity may facilitate appropriate timing of emigration and enhance passage survival.

Temperature control of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolt migration was tested using a novel technique allowing nearly continuous monitoring of behavior with complete control over environmental conditions. Parr and presmolts were implanted with passive integrated transponder tags, placed in simulated streams, and monitored for upstream and downstream movements. Beginning 18 April, temperature was increased 1 °C every third day (advanced), fourth day (ambient), and tenth day (delayed). Smolt downstream movements were initially low, peaked in mid-May, and subsequently declined under all conditions. Parr downstream movements were significantly lower than those of smolts in all treatments (0.8 ± 0.5 movement·day–1 versus 26.5 ± 4.5 movements·day–1, mean ± SE) and showed no increase. At delayed temperatures, smolts sustained downstream movements through July; those under ambient and advanced conditions ceased activity by mid-June. Initiation and termination of downstream movements occurred at significantly different temperatures but at the same number of degree-days in all treatments. Physiological changes associated with smolting (gill Na+,K+-ATPase activity and plasma thyroxine) were coincident with behavioral changes. This is the first evidence of a behavioral component to the smolt window. We found that temperature experience over time is more relevant to initiation and termination of downstream movement than a temperature threshold.

Detailed re-examination of the datasets that were used for a meta-analysis of fishway attraction and passage revealed a number of errors that we addressed and corrected. We subsequently re-analysed the revised dataset, and results showed no significant changes in the primary conclusions of the original study; for most species, effective performance cannot be assured for any fishway type.