Using Ultrasonic Telemetry to Evaluate Paddlefish Spawning Behavior in Harry S. Truman Reservoir, Missouri

Abstract

Large-river fishes (e.g., sturgeons [Acipenseridae] and Paddlefish Polyodon spathula) that inhabit reservoir systems are potentially unable to sense environmental cues that elicit typical life history behaviors. These cues can be masked by altered hydrology and temperature regimes. In many reservoirs throughout North America, Paddlefish populations are potentially affected by these unnatural conditions. In an attempt to understand and identify the potential mechanisms that limit Paddlefish reproduction in reservoir systems, we selected Harry S. Truman Reservoir (Truman Lake), Missouri, as our study area of focus. This population is supplemented by stocking, and although anecdotal evidence of potential natural reproduction exists, spawning has never been documented. We implanted ultrasonic transmitters into 113 reproductively mature Paddlefish, and the movements of these fish were tracked over 2 years. Paddlefish migratory behavior was significantly related to water temperature and gauge height, and differences in movement behaviors existed between sexes. Spring aggregations were located in the riverine portion of the Osage River, and embryos and larvae were sampled in 2015 and 2016 near said aggregations. Using acoustic telemetry and egg mats, we acquired evidence suggesting that the Truman Lake Paddlefish are spawning. Our technique can likely be applied to determine spawning locations for Paddlefish inhabiting other large reservoirs.

Factors affecting the catch and harvest rates of paddlefish downstream of Gavins Point Dam, South Dakota, 2000–2020

“…Similarly, in Kentucky Lake, a main channel impoundment on the Tennessee River, the number of paddlefish caught was negatively related to river discharge (Scholten & Bettoli, 2005). However, paddlefish movement was positively related to February–April gauge height, and upstream movement was positively related to catch rates (Schwinghamer et al, 2019). For example, change in river stage was not related to direction of paddlefish movement, which suggested that other factors (i.e., water temperature) affected paddlefish movement and catch rates (Moen et al, 1992).…”

“…Future management should focus on standardising state laws, considering the role of global factors (i.e., growing paddlefish caviar markets), and expanding existing knowledge regarding paddlefish. Future research using acoustic telemetry for population estimation (Hale et al, 2003), habitat selectivity (Stancill et al, 2002; Zigler et al, 2003), and movement (Schwinghamer et al, 2019; Tripp, Neely, & Hoxmeier, 2019) will inform paddlefish management by providing greater insight into paddlefish life history. Research into age‐0 paddlefish natal environments below Gavins Point Dam (and elsewhere) using dentary (Rude & Whitledge, 2019; Schooley et al, 2021) microchemistry will help determine important nursery habitats.…”

Swimming behavior as a potential metric to detect satiation levels of European seabass in marine cages

“…Acoustic telemetry systems have also been adopted by the aquaculture industry and have been proven valuable for understanding biological processes (Hussey et al, 2015;Abecasis et al, 2018;Føre et al, 2018;Schwinghamer et al, 2019;Villegas-Rıós et al, 2020;Svendsen et al, 2021). These systems could enable feeding control as they can wirelessly transmit real-time data, enabling fish farmers to promptly respond to changes in group behavior, such as during feeding (Thorstad et al, 2013;Føre et al, 2018) However, their invasive deployment may influence fish attributes, potentially leading to erroneous data (Hussey et al, 2015;McKenna et al, 2021;Georgopoulou et al, 2022;Runde et al, 2022).…”

European seabass show variable responses in their group swimming features after tag implantation

“…Acoustic telemetry has been proven to be a useful tool for the better understanding of biological processes (Hussey et al, 2015;Abecasis et al, 2018;Schwinghamer et al, 2019;Villegas-Rıós et al, 2020). The wild adult chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) were among the first fish species used in such studies (Trefethen, 1956).…”