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Josey Ridgway

Josey Ridgway is a Fish Biologist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.

He earned his Master of Science degree in Biology at Tennessee Technological University, Tennessee Cooperative Fishery Research Unit studying invasive carp sampling techniques and population dynamics throughout Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. Josey joined the USGS in 2018 and has continued his work to answer management and research questions concerning invasive carp. Current research focus is developing, assessing, and modifying innovative capture methodologies, which include herding stimuli (e.g., auditory, visual, and tactual) to concentrate invasive carp for mass removal using large nets (e.g., pound, iruka, merwin, and beach seines). Catch rate and fish behavior data (characterized using sonar and telemetry technology) are used in these assessments with the goal of increasing capture efficiency.

 

Professional Experience

  • 04/2018–present Fish Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Science Center, Columbia, MO

  • 01/2017–04/2018 Fish Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Columbia Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, Columbia, MO

  • 08/2016–01/2017 Biological Science Technician, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Columbia Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, Columbia, MO

  • 08/2014–08/2016 Graduate Research Assistant, Tennessee Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, 1100 N Dixie Ave, 205 Pennebaker Hall, Cookeville, TN

  • 04/2013–08/2014 Undergraduate Research Assistant, MU McNair Scholar’s Program, 536 Clark Hall, Columbia, MO

  • 08/2012–08/2014 Biological Science Technician, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 302 Anheuser-Busch Nat. Res. Building, Columbia, MO

Education and Certifications

  • M.S. Biology, Tennessee Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, Department of Biology, Tennessee Technological University 2016

  • B.S. Fish and Wildlife Sciences—emphasis on fish, Department of Natural Resources, University of Missouri—Columbia 2014

Science and Products

link
Boat-mounted speakers

Use and Evaluation of Stimuli for Herding Bigheaded Carps to Increase their Capture Efficiency

Mass removal of the invasive silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis (collectively referred to as bigheaded carp) is a primary management action in the United States to contain population growth and reduce upstream dispersal. Efficient capture and removal techniques are required to achieve this goal, and the USGS is working to develop and evaluate such...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center
link

Use and Evaluation of Stimuli for Herding Bigheaded Carps to Increase their Capture Efficiency

Mass removal of the invasive silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis (collectively referred to as bigheaded carp) is a primary management action in the United States to contain population growth and reduce upstream dispersal. Efficient capture and removal techniques are required to achieve this goal, and the USGS is working to develop and evaluate such...
Learn More

Telemetry evaluation of invasive carp herding in Jonathan Creek Embayment, Kentucky Lake, Kentucky

Data tables represents a telemetry study assessing the efficacy of sound and electricity used to herd Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). The study occurred in Jonathan Creek Embayment of Kentucky Lake, Kentucky using 10 telemetered Silver Carp and 46 passive acoustic receivers. Two herding boats traveled at 2.22 meters per second along bank-to-bank transects through the study area (longitu
By
Columbia Environmental Research Center

Starved Rock navigation lock fish clearing hydroacoustic data, Illinois River (2020)

These datasets (e.g., 'Starved Rock fish clearing_multi-beam imaging sonar fish data_Pre-clearing_Sonar-s1.csv') include exported information (e.g., fish detection counts) from processed fixed-location multi-beam imaging sonar and mobile side-scan sonar data. Fish abundance in the navigation lock was determined using mobile side-scan surveys, while multi-beam imaging sonars were used to determine
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Invasive carp movement rates among five herding techniques using adaptive resolution imaging sonar on the Lower Perche Creek, Columbia, MO

Data represent a comparison of herding techniques commonly used by natural resource agencies and the public to increase removal or harvest of invasive carp (i.e., Silver Carp) from U.S. waterways. Sites on lower Perche Creek, Columbia, MO (2018 August 9th to 2018 October 26th) were contained using block nets and treated with one of five herding techniques: (1) method commonly used by commercial fi
By
Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Semi-automated and manual enumeration of bigheaded carps from recreational-grade side-scan sonar imagery, Perche Creek, MO, 2018

The dataset consists of count data derived from a series of sonar images. The data are fish counts per image from 1) a computerized process to extract fish counts, and 2) three manual assessors. Each image has a total of four associated fish counts.
By
Columbia Environmental Research Center

Silver carp herding: A telemetry evaluation of efficacy and implications for design and application

Removal of invasive Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix is a primary control action in North America. Strong avoidance responses to underwater sound and electricity have been shown to facilitate herding and mass removal of these fish. We conducted a telemetry study on a closed population of Silver Carp (i.e., 10 telemetered fish) to assess fine-scale movement responses to herding stimuli. Two
Authors
Josey Lee Ridgway, Matthew Ross Acre, Tyler Michael Hessler, Dustin Broaddus, Jessica Morris, Robin Calfee
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Application of electricity and underwater acoustics to clear fish from a navigation lock during maintenance

The presence of fish within navigation locks can introduce an environmental challenge for construction crews when maintenance is required. This study examined the effectiveness of a dual-deterrent fish herding technique using electricity and acoustic stimuli to reduce the abundance of fish within a navigation lock before a scheduled dewatering for maintenance. Fixed-location multi-beam imaging so
Authors
Jose Rivera, Aaron R. Cupp, Josey Lee Ridgway, Duane Chapman, Bethany E Hoster, Matthew Ross Acre, Robin Calfee, Jesse Robert Fischer, James J. Duncker
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Central Midwest Water Science Center

An assessment of fish herding techniques: Management implications for mass removal and control of silver carp

We assessed the effectiveness of herding techniques on adult Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix in a tributary to the Missouri River. Sites (600 m) were contained using block nets and treated with one of five herding techniques: (1) a method commonly used by commercial fishers in the United States (commercial technique), (2) pulsed-DC electrofishing (electric technique), (3) broadband sound a
Authors
Josey Lee Ridgway, Katelyn M. Lawson, Stephen August Shier, Robin Calfee, Duane Chapman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Semiautomated process for enumeration of fishes from recreational-grade side-scan sonar imagery

The use of hydroacoustic techniques is increasing as scientists search for less invasive ways to monitor fish populations, and using recreational side‐scan sonar (SSS) imagery for monitoring has become more common in aquatic resource management over the last 15 years due in part to its low cost and user‐friendly interface. The time‐consuming nature of manually counting fish targets has limited the
Authors
Katelyn M Lawson, Josey Lee Ridgway, Andrew T. Mueller, Jacob Faulkner, Robin Calfee
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Riverscape correlates for distribution of threatened spotfin chub Erimonax monachus in the Tennessee River Basin, USA

Globally, aquatic biodiversity is imperiled at an increasing rate, especially in diversity hotspots such as the southeastern USA. The spotfin chub Erimonax monachus is a federally threatened minnow with a disjunct distribution resulting from numerous impoundments on the Tennessee River and its tributaries in the heart of the southeastern USA. Recovery actions required to remove federal protection
Authors
Joshuah S. Perkin, W. Keith Gibbs, Josey Lee Ridgway, S. Bradford Cook
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Ridgway, J.L., and Bettoli, P.W., 2017, Distribution, Age Structure, and Growth of Bigheaded Carps in the Lower Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers: Southeastern Naturalist, v. 16, no. 3, p. 426-442, 417.
Ridgway*, J.L., Goeckler, J.M., Morris, J., and Hammen, J.J., 2020, Diel Influences on Silver Carp Catch Rates Using an Electrified Paupier in Lentic Habitats: North American Journal of Fisheries Management.

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Science and Products

link
Boat-mounted speakers

Use and Evaluation of Stimuli for Herding Bigheaded Carps to Increase their Capture Efficiency

Mass removal of the invasive silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis (collectively referred to as bigheaded carp) is a primary management action in the United States to contain population growth and reduce upstream dispersal. Efficient capture and removal techniques are required to achieve this goal, and the USGS is working to develop and evaluate such...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center
link

Use and Evaluation of Stimuli for Herding Bigheaded Carps to Increase their Capture Efficiency

Mass removal of the invasive silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis (collectively referred to as bigheaded carp) is a primary management action in the United States to contain population growth and reduce upstream dispersal. Efficient capture and removal techniques are required to achieve this goal, and the USGS is working to develop and evaluate such...
Learn More

Telemetry evaluation of invasive carp herding in Jonathan Creek Embayment, Kentucky Lake, Kentucky

Data tables represents a telemetry study assessing the efficacy of sound and electricity used to herd Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). The study occurred in Jonathan Creek Embayment of Kentucky Lake, Kentucky using 10 telemetered Silver Carp and 46 passive acoustic receivers. Two herding boats traveled at 2.22 meters per second along bank-to-bank transects through the study area (longitu
By
Columbia Environmental Research Center

Starved Rock navigation lock fish clearing hydroacoustic data, Illinois River (2020)

These datasets (e.g., 'Starved Rock fish clearing_multi-beam imaging sonar fish data_Pre-clearing_Sonar-s1.csv') include exported information (e.g., fish detection counts) from processed fixed-location multi-beam imaging sonar and mobile side-scan sonar data. Fish abundance in the navigation lock was determined using mobile side-scan surveys, while multi-beam imaging sonars were used to determine
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Invasive carp movement rates among five herding techniques using adaptive resolution imaging sonar on the Lower Perche Creek, Columbia, MO

Data represent a comparison of herding techniques commonly used by natural resource agencies and the public to increase removal or harvest of invasive carp (i.e., Silver Carp) from U.S. waterways. Sites on lower Perche Creek, Columbia, MO (2018 August 9th to 2018 October 26th) were contained using block nets and treated with one of five herding techniques: (1) method commonly used by commercial fi
By
Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Semi-automated and manual enumeration of bigheaded carps from recreational-grade side-scan sonar imagery, Perche Creek, MO, 2018

The dataset consists of count data derived from a series of sonar images. The data are fish counts per image from 1) a computerized process to extract fish counts, and 2) three manual assessors. Each image has a total of four associated fish counts.
By
Columbia Environmental Research Center

Silver carp herding: A telemetry evaluation of efficacy and implications for design and application

Removal of invasive Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix is a primary control action in North America. Strong avoidance responses to underwater sound and electricity have been shown to facilitate herding and mass removal of these fish. We conducted a telemetry study on a closed population of Silver Carp (i.e., 10 telemetered fish) to assess fine-scale movement responses to herding stimuli. Two
Authors
Josey Lee Ridgway, Matthew Ross Acre, Tyler Michael Hessler, Dustin Broaddus, Jessica Morris, Robin Calfee
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Application of electricity and underwater acoustics to clear fish from a navigation lock during maintenance

The presence of fish within navigation locks can introduce an environmental challenge for construction crews when maintenance is required. This study examined the effectiveness of a dual-deterrent fish herding technique using electricity and acoustic stimuli to reduce the abundance of fish within a navigation lock before a scheduled dewatering for maintenance. Fixed-location multi-beam imaging so
Authors
Jose Rivera, Aaron R. Cupp, Josey Lee Ridgway, Duane Chapman, Bethany E Hoster, Matthew Ross Acre, Robin Calfee, Jesse Robert Fischer, James J. Duncker
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Central Midwest Water Science Center

An assessment of fish herding techniques: Management implications for mass removal and control of silver carp

We assessed the effectiveness of herding techniques on adult Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix in a tributary to the Missouri River. Sites (600 m) were contained using block nets and treated with one of five herding techniques: (1) a method commonly used by commercial fishers in the United States (commercial technique), (2) pulsed-DC electrofishing (electric technique), (3) broadband sound a
Authors
Josey Lee Ridgway, Katelyn M. Lawson, Stephen August Shier, Robin Calfee, Duane Chapman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Semiautomated process for enumeration of fishes from recreational-grade side-scan sonar imagery

The use of hydroacoustic techniques is increasing as scientists search for less invasive ways to monitor fish populations, and using recreational side‐scan sonar (SSS) imagery for monitoring has become more common in aquatic resource management over the last 15 years due in part to its low cost and user‐friendly interface. The time‐consuming nature of manually counting fish targets has limited the
Authors
Katelyn M Lawson, Josey Lee Ridgway, Andrew T. Mueller, Jacob Faulkner, Robin Calfee
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Riverscape correlates for distribution of threatened spotfin chub Erimonax monachus in the Tennessee River Basin, USA

Globally, aquatic biodiversity is imperiled at an increasing rate, especially in diversity hotspots such as the southeastern USA. The spotfin chub Erimonax monachus is a federally threatened minnow with a disjunct distribution resulting from numerous impoundments on the Tennessee River and its tributaries in the heart of the southeastern USA. Recovery actions required to remove federal protection
Authors
Joshuah S. Perkin, W. Keith Gibbs, Josey Lee Ridgway, S. Bradford Cook
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Ridgway, J.L., and Bettoli, P.W., 2017, Distribution, Age Structure, and Growth of Bigheaded Carps in the Lower Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers: Southeastern Naturalist, v. 16, no. 3, p. 426-442, 417.
Ridgway*, J.L., Goeckler, J.M., Morris, J., and Hammen, J.J., 2020, Diel Influences on Silver Carp Catch Rates Using an Electrified Paupier in Lentic Habitats: North American Journal of Fisheries Management.

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.