Effects of temperature and energy use on fish passage and spawning success of American shad
American Shad are the most numerous and economically important anadromous species on the east coast of the United States. Yet in many river systems their populations have experienced declines, primarily due to the impacts of dams and habitat loss.
Although fish passage facilities have been constructed to mitigate the impacts of dams, many of these have not provided adequate passage success for self-sustaining populations or populations at levels that meet management goals. The negative impacts of fish passage facilities may be worsened natural high temperature late in the migratory period or through the impact of climate change. We will use a combination of field and laboratory approaches to determine the influence of temperature on energetics, migration and spawning success of American shad.
The overall goal of the project is to determine the impacts of temperature, energy use, and efficiency of fish passage facilities on the spawning success of American shad. To achieve this goal this project will tackle the following objectives:
- Determine whether thermal conditions experienced during migration affect energy use and swimming capacity of American shad;
- Determine the relationship between energy use, migration and spawning success of adult American shad;
- Determine whether energetic differences between early and late run fish and between sexes affect migration and spawning success of American shad;
These data and analyses can be used to quantify effects of dam-induced delays, cumulative effects of dams and the effects of climate change on American shad migration, spawning success and population sustainability. This research will then be applied by managers to improve fish passage requirements and improve recreational and commercial fishing opportunities.
American Shad are the most numerous and economically important anadromous species on the east coast of the United States. Yet in many river systems their populations have experienced declines, primarily due to the impacts of dams and habitat loss.
Although fish passage facilities have been constructed to mitigate the impacts of dams, many of these have not provided adequate passage success for self-sustaining populations or populations at levels that meet management goals. The negative impacts of fish passage facilities may be worsened natural high temperature late in the migratory period or through the impact of climate change. We will use a combination of field and laboratory approaches to determine the influence of temperature on energetics, migration and spawning success of American shad.
The overall goal of the project is to determine the impacts of temperature, energy use, and efficiency of fish passage facilities on the spawning success of American shad. To achieve this goal this project will tackle the following objectives:
- Determine whether thermal conditions experienced during migration affect energy use and swimming capacity of American shad;
- Determine the relationship between energy use, migration and spawning success of adult American shad;
- Determine whether energetic differences between early and late run fish and between sexes affect migration and spawning success of American shad;
These data and analyses can be used to quantify effects of dam-induced delays, cumulative effects of dams and the effects of climate change on American shad migration, spawning success and population sustainability. This research will then be applied by managers to improve fish passage requirements and improve recreational and commercial fishing opportunities.