The effect of ramp slope and surface type on the climbing success of shortfin eel (Anguilla australis) elvers
Phillip G. Jellyman A C , Joshua T. Bauld A B and Shannan K. Crow A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd, PO Box 8602, Christchurch, New Zealand.
B School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
C Corresponding author. Email: phillip.jellyman@niwa.co.nz
Marine and Freshwater Research 68(7) 1317-1324 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF16015
Submitted: 14 January 2016 Accepted: 13 August 2016 Published: 4 October 2016
Abstract
Instream structures such as dams, weirs and culverts reduce diadromous fish (e.g. freshwater eels) biodiversity and abundance by restricting upstream migrations. Fish passes are used to facilitate fish passage around instream structures, but limited information is available about design aspects that influence the ability of fish to negotiate the structures. We used experimental ramps to evaluate the effects of surface type and slope on the climbing success of shortfin eel (Anguilla australis) elvers (total length <155 mm). Climbing success was examined for three surface types (smooth plastic, sand and gravel, Miradrain) at slopes of 30, 50 and 70°. Elver climbing ability differed among substrates, with the highest success observed on the Miradrain surface (a moulded plastic drainage product). Climbing success decreased with increasing ramp slope. The mean length of elvers successfully negotiating the ramps was longer than that of elvers that failed to climb because only larger elvers could climb the Miradrain surface as ramp slope increased. Results indicated that the optimal ramp-designed passage for climbing species would be lined with Miradrain and set at an angle close to 30° and not exceeding 50°. Elver passage will be detrimentally affected by steep surfaces, which will be exacerbated if suboptimal ramp-surface types are used.
Additional keywords: Anguillidae, Australasia, migration, upstream passage.
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