|
Fish Monitoring Project
There are currently three different fish monitoring programs at Otter Point Creek: larval fish, larval yellow perch, and fish seining. The larval programs occur in the spring, while fish seining occurs in the summer. Significant urbanization has been observed over the last several decades as fish populations have been declining, possibly due to the changes in spawning habitats. All three programs hope to monitor the anadromous fish populations and their spawning habitats in the Bush River.
 Larval Fish: The goal of larval fish seining is to assess the percent change in the presence of migratory fish eggs and larvae. Volunteers sample 15 sites on the Bush River collecting water quality data and a water sample that will later be sorted and identified. Presence of migratory fish eggs and larvae are recorded and evaluated to determine the range of spawning and larval habitat in the Bush River.
 Yellow Perch: Yellow perch are very important in our area for both recreational and commercial fishing. The goal of the yellow perch study is to determine the presence and time frame of larval yellow perch in the Bush River. Sampling is done via a plankton tow on the river at 10 different locations. The tow is pulled for 2 minutes and the sample is poured into a tray for identification. Water quality data is also recorded at each location.
 Seining: The goal of the Otter Point Creek fish seining program is to assess the overall health of the fish community and habitat quality by collecting baseline data on tidal fish species. Data is also used to track trends in populations, species composition, and age and abundance of commercially important species. Volunteers sample multiple tidal sites during each sampling date. A 100-foot beach seine and the quarter sweep method are used to collect fish. Once the seine is landed, fish are counted, sorted and measured. The maximum and minimum lengths and age of commercially important fish species are recorded. Records are also kept on fish with visible lesions or anomalies.
Update:
7/2008 – Data for this year has been collected and processed for Yellow Perch. Larval fish data is currently being processed, while fish seining data has yet to be collected. Watch for updated study data coming soon!
Recent Findings:
Yellow Perch – Based on our data from the last 3 years, the yellow perch tend to hatch out during the last week of March and leave the Bush River between late April and mid-May.
|
|