Invasive Carp Control: Acoustic Deterrents
Invasive carps including bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), silver carp (H. molitrix), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), and black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) are invasive fish species established throughout the Mississippi River Basin. The spread of these four species threatens the ecosystems of the Great Lakes and other major waterways. Substantial work has been done to identify behavioral deterrents that deter the movement of these species while allowing passage of native fish and commercial shipping. Underwater sound has shown promise for deterring these invasive fish. Previous studies have documented both bighead and silver carp moving away from various underwater sound stimuli while many native fish species respond little to that same sound. Building from these studies and deploying large-scale experimental acoustic deterrents at critical fish passage points, primarily navigation locks, in rivers can help managers understand the effectiveness of acoustic deterrents where invasive carp populations are established and the applicability of using this technology to limit the spread of invasive carps in other locations.
Assessment of Engineered Acoustic Stimuli for Manipulating Movement of Bigheaded Carps in USGS Ponds
Principal Investigator – Marybeth Brey
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 playback of a recording 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 carps and prevent them from spreading is very promising. The goal of this study was to characterize behavioral responses of bigheaded carps to multiple underwater acoustic stimuli and cover in ponds at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center to identify additional sounds that effectively deter bigheaded carps.
______________________________
Deployment of a Short-term Underwater Acoustic Deterrent System in the Chicago Area Waterway System
Principal Investigator – Marybeth Brey
Acoustic deterrent technologies are being considered to prevent the spread of bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and silver carp (H. molitrix), collectively referred to as bigheaded carps, from the Mississippi River Basin to the Great Lakes. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, through the Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee, requested the deployment of an underwater acoustic deterrent system as a supplement to the Electric Dispersal Barrier during winter barrier operations and maintenance. The overall goals of this project were to determine if an acoustic deterrent system could be implemented in this area, evaluate any impacts to vessels, and monitor acoustic propagation.
______________________________
Principal Investigator – Marybeth Brey
Acoustic deterrent technologies are being considered to prevent the spread of invasive carps including bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and silver carp (H. molitrix) from the Mississippi River Basin to the Great Lakes. However, most testing has focused on experimental systems in small ponds or at large navigation locks. To further assess the effectiveness this technology in a different type of field setting (i.e., backwater of the Illinois River), field testing of the equipment and newly developed sound stimuli on wild populations of invasive carps is essential. The Heidelberg Materials gravel pits on the Illinois River at Morris, Illinois is a frequently utilized area by silver and bighead carp. and has been the location of contract fish and monitoring with acoustic telemetry for many hears. The USGS is partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Engineer Research and Development Center to complete this project.
______________________________
Evaluation of a BioAcoustic Fish Fence at Barkley Lock and Dam
Principal Investigator – Andrea Fritts
Barkley Lock and Dam, on the Cumberland River near Grand Rivers, Kentucky, has been identified as a strategic pinch-point navigational dam for controlling invasive carps including bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), silver carp (H. molitrix), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon Idella), and black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus). Fish must pass through the Barkley lock chamber to get upstream of the dam. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a multimodal deterrent (BioAcoustic Fish Fence; BAFF; Fish Guidance Systems Ltd.) at deterring silver carp and grass carp from moving upstream through the lock at Barkley Lock and Dam under various environmental conditions. This study will also evaluate the effects of this deterrent on select native fish species in a similar manner to identify potential unintended consequences. In addition to acoustic stimuli, the multimodal deterrent also incorporates strobe lights and bubble curtains to deter fish. The deterrent was installed in the downstream lock approach at Barkley Lock and Dam in fall of 2019 and will be evaluated through 2024 by a multi-agency science team led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Invasive carps including bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), silver carp (H. molitrix), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), and black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) are invasive fish species established throughout the Mississippi River Basin. The spread of these four species threatens the ecosystems of the Great Lakes and other major waterways. Substantial work has been done to identify behavioral deterrents that deter the movement of these species while allowing passage of native fish and commercial shipping. Underwater sound has shown promise for deterring these invasive fish. Previous studies have documented both bighead and silver carp moving away from various underwater sound stimuli while many native fish species respond little to that same sound. Building from these studies and deploying large-scale experimental acoustic deterrents at critical fish passage points, primarily navigation locks, in rivers can help managers understand the effectiveness of acoustic deterrents where invasive carp populations are established and the applicability of using this technology to limit the spread of invasive carps in other locations.
Assessment of Engineered Acoustic Stimuli for Manipulating Movement of Bigheaded Carps in USGS Ponds
Principal Investigator – Marybeth Brey
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 playback of a recording 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 carps and prevent them from spreading is very promising. The goal of this study was to characterize behavioral responses of bigheaded carps to multiple underwater acoustic stimuli and cover in ponds at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center to identify additional sounds that effectively deter bigheaded carps.
______________________________
Deployment of a Short-term Underwater Acoustic Deterrent System in the Chicago Area Waterway System
Principal Investigator – Marybeth Brey
Acoustic deterrent technologies are being considered to prevent the spread of bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and silver carp (H. molitrix), collectively referred to as bigheaded carps, from the Mississippi River Basin to the Great Lakes. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, through the Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee, requested the deployment of an underwater acoustic deterrent system as a supplement to the Electric Dispersal Barrier during winter barrier operations and maintenance. The overall goals of this project were to determine if an acoustic deterrent system could be implemented in this area, evaluate any impacts to vessels, and monitor acoustic propagation.
______________________________
Principal Investigator – Marybeth Brey
Acoustic deterrent technologies are being considered to prevent the spread of invasive carps including bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and silver carp (H. molitrix) from the Mississippi River Basin to the Great Lakes. However, most testing has focused on experimental systems in small ponds or at large navigation locks. To further assess the effectiveness this technology in a different type of field setting (i.e., backwater of the Illinois River), field testing of the equipment and newly developed sound stimuli on wild populations of invasive carps is essential. The Heidelberg Materials gravel pits on the Illinois River at Morris, Illinois is a frequently utilized area by silver and bighead carp. and has been the location of contract fish and monitoring with acoustic telemetry for many hears. The USGS is partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Engineer Research and Development Center to complete this project.
______________________________
Evaluation of a BioAcoustic Fish Fence at Barkley Lock and Dam
Principal Investigator – Andrea Fritts
Barkley Lock and Dam, on the Cumberland River near Grand Rivers, Kentucky, has been identified as a strategic pinch-point navigational dam for controlling invasive carps including bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), silver carp (H. molitrix), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon Idella), and black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus). Fish must pass through the Barkley lock chamber to get upstream of the dam. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a multimodal deterrent (BioAcoustic Fish Fence; BAFF; Fish Guidance Systems Ltd.) at deterring silver carp and grass carp from moving upstream through the lock at Barkley Lock and Dam under various environmental conditions. This study will also evaluate the effects of this deterrent on select native fish species in a similar manner to identify potential unintended consequences. In addition to acoustic stimuli, the multimodal deterrent also incorporates strobe lights and bubble curtains to deter fish. The deterrent was installed in the downstream lock approach at Barkley Lock and Dam in fall of 2019 and will be evaluated through 2024 by a multi-agency science team led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife