Sturgeon, Trout And Telemetry--USGS Research Mixes Science And Technology At American Fisheries Society Annu...( TIPSHEET From safe dam passage fo...)

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From safe dam passage for sturgeon to a long-term study of the Eastern striped bass, USGS scientists will present a wide range of fisheries research at the annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society, at the Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, Conn, Aug. 23-27, 1998.

Dinosaurs and Sturgeon in the Connecticut River--Mon., Aug. 24, session 6

Shortnose sturgeon and Atlantic sturgeon are native to the Connecticut River. Because of their ancient origin, it is estimated that they could have inhabited the Connecticut Valley at the time of the dinosaurs during the Cretaceous period. The study examines the impact of human activity on sturgeon populations since colonial days. Factors ranging from dam construction to over fishing diminished this fishery and by the 1940's, the population had virtually disappeared in some areas of the watershed. ("The History of Sturgeon in the Connecticut River," by Boyd Kynard, USGS, Turners Falls, Mass.; and Tom Savoy, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Old Lyme, Conn.)

Telemetry, Eels and Dams--Mon., Aug. 24, session 12

Most people think of fish migration when dealing with the obstacles presented by dams. But developing ways for silver phase American eels to safely swim around dams is a critical problem for the species' survival, because they typically suffer high mortality from passing through hydroelectric turbines during their spawning migration to the ocean. Over a two-year period, researchers using radio and acoustic telemetry devices monitored the migration and behavior of the eels near a hydroelectric dam. Most eels moved through the dam area at night at a variety of depths, and some were delayed for several days before passing the dam. The results of the study will be critical for developing effective eel passage technologies. ("Behavior and Passage of Silver-Phase Eels at a Small Hydroelectric Facility," by Alex Haro, S.O. Conte Anadromous Fish Researc
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Contact: Bob Reynolds
rreynold@usgs.gov
703-648-6829
United States Geological Survey
21-Aug-1998