Assessment of Newly Developed Acoustic Stimuli for Manipulating Movement of Bigheaded Carps in USGS Ponds
Bigheaded carps, composed of bighead (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and silver carp (H. molitrix), have specialized structures that increase their hearing range and sensitivity. Recent results from controlled laboratory studies have indicated that the playback of an outboard boat motor was effective at altering the behavior of bigheaded carps. The possibility of being able to use specific sounds to alter the behavior of invasive bigheaded carp and prevent them from spreading is very promising. The goal is to characterize behavioral responses of bigheaded carps to multiple underwater acoustic stimuli in ponds at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center and the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center to identify additional sounds that effectively deter bigheaded carps.
Invasive Carp Control: Acoustic Deterrents
Both bighead and silver carp are more sensitive to higher frequency sound than many native fish species. For example, silver carp exhibit a unique jumping behavior in response to outboard boat motors, suggesting an aversion these higher frequencies. While control methods such as electricity and bubble barriers are better studied, fewer studies have investigated the response of these fish to sound. Using sound to modulate behavior is a novel method to control silver carp and is inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Because silver carp exhibit high frequency hearing sensitivity than many native fishes, higher frequency sound signals could deter invasive carp species while limiting the impacts to native species. Preliminary studies have demonstrated that broadband sound is an effective (>90%) way to restrict movement of bighead and silver carp to one side of a concrete pond. However, further research needs to be conducted to evaluate the efficacy of this technique at a larger scale and to address the potential for habituation of invasive carps to the sound stimuli.
Preliminary deterrent studies indicate sound could be an effective, species specific, and low-cost deterrent strategy. Prior research at the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center demonstrated that bigheaded carps behavior could be altered in small test tanks and medium sized concrete ponds. A single sound deterrent’s effectiveness diminishes over time from repeated exposures; therefore, the use of multiple acoustic stimuli could reduce the likelihood of habituation. Currently, rapid development and assessment of a variety of additional acoustic stimuli are being conducted at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center in Vicksburg, MS.
Objectives
- Characterize short-term and long-term behavioral responses of bigheaded carps to underwater acoustic stimuli.
- Describe and map acoustic propagation of underwater sound stimuli in ponds.
- Assess the potential for bighead and silver carp to habituate to sound stimuli in ponds.
Bigheaded carps, composed of bighead (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and silver carp (H. molitrix), have specialized structures that increase their hearing range and sensitivity. Recent results from controlled laboratory studies have indicated that the playback of an outboard boat motor was effective at altering the behavior of bigheaded carps. The possibility of being able to use specific sounds to alter the behavior of invasive bigheaded carp and prevent them from spreading is very promising. The goal is to characterize behavioral responses of bigheaded carps to multiple underwater acoustic stimuli in ponds at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center and the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center to identify additional sounds that effectively deter bigheaded carps.
Invasive Carp Control: Acoustic Deterrents
Both bighead and silver carp are more sensitive to higher frequency sound than many native fish species. For example, silver carp exhibit a unique jumping behavior in response to outboard boat motors, suggesting an aversion these higher frequencies. While control methods such as electricity and bubble barriers are better studied, fewer studies have investigated the response of these fish to sound. Using sound to modulate behavior is a novel method to control silver carp and is inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Because silver carp exhibit high frequency hearing sensitivity than many native fishes, higher frequency sound signals could deter invasive carp species while limiting the impacts to native species. Preliminary studies have demonstrated that broadband sound is an effective (>90%) way to restrict movement of bighead and silver carp to one side of a concrete pond. However, further research needs to be conducted to evaluate the efficacy of this technique at a larger scale and to address the potential for habituation of invasive carps to the sound stimuli.
Preliminary deterrent studies indicate sound could be an effective, species specific, and low-cost deterrent strategy. Prior research at the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center demonstrated that bigheaded carps behavior could be altered in small test tanks and medium sized concrete ponds. A single sound deterrent’s effectiveness diminishes over time from repeated exposures; therefore, the use of multiple acoustic stimuli could reduce the likelihood of habituation. Currently, rapid development and assessment of a variety of additional acoustic stimuli are being conducted at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center in Vicksburg, MS.
Objectives
- Characterize short-term and long-term behavioral responses of bigheaded carps to underwater acoustic stimuli.
- Describe and map acoustic propagation of underwater sound stimuli in ponds.
- Assess the potential for bighead and silver carp to habituate to sound stimuli in ponds.