Catfish 2020, A Clear Vision of the Future

Abstract

The Third International Catfish Symposium was held in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 2020 and provided another milestone to gauge advances in knowledge related to conservation and management of these valuable fishes. Attendees from 29 states and 4 countries gathered to communicate research and information on the conservation, ecology, and management of the world’s catfishes. During 3 d of technical sessions and workshops, 74 oral presentations and 17 posters were shared with 198 attending fisheries professionals. Plenary and oral presentations were recorded and are available online (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHNt7ZV05DLWoe4qJO798Pw/videos), aligning with the symposium theme of “Communicating Catfish Science.” Technical sessions explored current research and management issues that included population demographics, introduced catfish populations, sampling methods, harvest management, human dimensions, conservation, habitat use and movement, biology, and aging methods. Ultimately, 38 manuscripts were peer reviewed and published as this special issue of the North American Journal of Fisheries Management. Interest in catfish science, as gauged by publications in six peer‐reviewed fisheries journals, has grown steadily since a 1910 catfish aquaculture article appeared in the Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. Biology and ecology topics became prominent in the 1970s and 1980s, while articles on techniques and fisheries management have grown steadily through 2020. Ecology, fisheries management, and techniques were the most published topics in the three international catfish symposia. Future research and management efforts will continue similar work but also seek to address the expanding role of catfish as invasive species and a better understanding of the ecology and conservation of small‐bodied native catfish. Among the greatest challenges will be adapting current tools and identifying future knowledge gaps as we experience a changing climate. This will require an enhanced understanding of transforming ecosystems and advanced adaptive management applications. The decadal occurrence of a dedicated symposium has served to summarize progress and focus future efforts to advance catfish science.

Effects of live‐imaging sonar on Blue Catfish angler success, perception, and behavior

“…Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus is a large-bodied species that supports important recreational fisheries throughout the United States (Graham 1999). Within the 21st century, the management focus has largely shifted from harvest-based fisheries to development of trophy angling opportunities (Porath et al 2022). This paradigm shift has aligned with the increased prevalence of trophy Blue Catfish angling during the same period (Stewart et al 2012;Hyman et al 2017).…”

“…Within the 21st century, the management focus has largely shifted from harvest‐based fisheries to development of trophy angling opportunities (Porath et al. 2022). This paradigm shift has aligned with the increased prevalence of trophy Blue Catfish angling during the same period (Stewart et al.…”

Blue catfish population characteristics and dispersal along a Great Plains river gradient

“…Fisheries managers are increasingly interested in improving the understanding of Blue Catfish ecology as the popularity and distribution of the species continues to increase (Arterburn, Kirby, & Berry, 2002; Porath, Kwak, Neely, & Shoup, 2021). The response of Blue Catfish to diminished habitat connectivity or habitat alteration has been unaddressed and may have ramifications for managing catfish fisheries in disjointed or modified river systems.…”

Accuracy, Precision, and Optimal Sampling Duration of Low‐Frequency Electrofishing for Sampling Reservoir Flathead Catfish Populations

“…Despite the increase in research related to the management of Flathead Catfish over the past few decades (Brown 2007;Bodine et al 2013;Montague and Shoup 2021;Porath et al 2021), there are still significant information gaps, primarily because there is insufficient information about how to sample these species efficiently, accurately, and precisely (Brown 2007;Bodine et al 2013;Montague and Shoup 2021). Flathead Catfish are the least studied of the three ictalurid species with large growth potential (i.e., compared with Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus and Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus) and are in greatest need of gear performance studies (Bodine et al 2013;Montague and Shoup 2021).…”

“…2013; Montague and Shoup 2021; Porath et al. 2021), there are still significant information gaps, primarily because there is insufficient information about how to sample these species efficiently, accurately, and precisely (Brown 2007; Bodine et al. 2013; Montague and Shoup 2021).…”