Evaluating migratory fish behaviour and fishway performance: testing a combined assessment methodology
Lee J. Baumgartner A E , Craig A. Boys B , Ivor G. Stuart C and Brenton P. Zampatti DA New South Wales Department of Industry & Investment, Narrandera Fisheries Centre, PO Box 182, Narrandera, NSW 2700, Australia.
B New South Wales Department of Industry & Investment, Port Stephens Fisheries Centre, Private Bag 1, Nelson Bay, NSW 2315, Australia.
C Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, PO Box 137, Heidelberg, Vic. 3084, Australia.
D Inland Waters and Catchment Ecology Program, SARDI Aquatic Sciences, PO Box 120, Henley Beach, SA 5022, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: lee.baumgartner@industry.nsw.gov.au
Australian Journal of Zoology 58(3) 154-164 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO10035
Submitted: 18 May 2010 Accepted: 25 July 2010 Published: 25 August 2010
Abstract
To provide passage for migratory native fish, a series of 14 vertical-slot and lock fishways are being constructed on the Murray River in south-eastern Australia. Three of these vertical-slot fishways, at Locks 7, 9 and 10, have a conservative slope (1V : 32H) and are designed with internal hydraulics suitable for the passage of a broad size range of fish (30–1000 mm long). An assessment of these fishways was performed using a combined trapping survey and passive integrated transponder (PIT) approach to determine fishway effectiveness at passing an entire fish community. Fish were trapped within the three fishways between 2004 and 2006, where a total of 13 626 individuals comprising 13 species were collected from 48 sample days (24 h each). Trapping data revealed that the three fishways successfully passed fish within the target size range, though significantly greater numbers of individuals smaller (10–29 mm long) than the target size range could not ascend. PIT tagging revealed important information on fishway ascent times, descent times, seasonality and diel behaviour of medium and large fish. Although each method alone had advantages and disadvantages, the dual assessment approach was useful as it permitted an assessment of fishway success and also provided insights into migratory fish behaviour.
Additional keywords: fish passage, Murray River, passive integrated transponder, trapping, vertical-slot.
Acknowledgements
The Murray fishway construction program was funded and managed by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority. We sincerely thank Jim Barrett, John Prentice and the Murray–Darling Basin Authority fish passage taskforce for their support through the Native Fish Strategy and Living Murray programs. Expert technical assistance in the field was provided by staff from three states: John McKenzie, Andrew Pickworth, Karl Pomorin (Arthur Rylah Institute, Victoria), Ian Wooden, Leo Cameron, Nathan Reynoldson, Justin Stanger, Frances Cory, Jarrod McPherson (New South Wales Department of Primary Industries), David Short, Ian Magraith and Chris Bice (South Australian Research and Development Institute). We are grateful for on-site support from staff employed by South Australian Water and State Water Corporation. Work was undertaken through NSW Animal Care and Ethics Authority 01/15.
Barrett, J. , and Mallen-Cooper, M. (2006). The Murray River’s ‘Sea to Hume Dam’ fish passage program: progress to date and lessons learned. Ecological Management & Restoration 7, 173–183.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cucherousset, J. , Roussel, J.-M. , Keeler, R. , Cunjak, R. A. , and Stump, R. (2005). The use of two new portable 12-mm PIT tag detectors to track small fish in shallow streams. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 25, 270–274.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jensen, A. J. , and Aass, P. (1995). Migration of a fast-growing population of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) through a fish ladder in relation to water flow and water temperature. Regulated Rivers: Research and Management 10, 217–228.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Poulet, N. (2007). Impact of weirs on fish communities in a Piedmont stream. River Research and Applications 23, 1038–1047.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stuart, I. G. , and Mallen-Cooper, M. (1999). An assessment of the effectiveness of a vertical-slot fishway for non-salmonid fish at a tidal barrier on a large tropical/subtropical river. Regulated Rivers: Research and Management 15, 575–590.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zydlewski, G. B. , Horton, G. , Dubreuil, T. , Letcher, B. , Casey, S. , and Zydlewski, J. (2006). Remote monitoring of fish in small streams: a unified approach using PIT tags. Fisheries 31, 492–502.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
