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Marybeth Brey, PhD

I'm a research fish biologist with interests in fish movement and passage, invasive species management and ecology, and freshwater food web dynamics.

Originally from the U.P. of Michigan, I've always been interested in fisheries and freshwater; however, my interests center around the impacts of invasive species on freshwater ecosystems. I have experience working on ecosystem models and aquatic food webs, particularly related to the impacts of invasive fishes. For the past five years, I've conducted research on the movement dynamics of invasive Asian carps, both with Southern Illinois University (postdoc) and with the USGS, here in La Crosse, Wisconsin.  I joined the USGS in 2015 and am currently responsible for conducting research related to movement dynamics of invasive Asian carps in the Illinois River and conducting all studies related to the use of underwater sound to deter invasive fishes in collaboration with the USACE-ERDC, USGS-CERC, and University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D. 2012  North Carolina State University, Zoology

  • M.S.  2006  Eastern Illinois University, Biological Sciences

  • B.S.   2004  Central Michigan University, Biology

Science and Products

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sound mapping

Assessment of Acoustic Stimuli for Manipulating Movement of Bigheaded Carps

Invasive Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis, hereafter referred to as bigheaded carps, have displayed a negative phonotactic response when presented with a broadband acoustic stimulus. Additional study is needed to identify effective acoustic stimuli for manipulating bigheaded carp behavior, and to test bigheaded carp responses to those stimuli in...
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Columbia Environmental Research Center
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Assessment of Acoustic Stimuli for Manipulating Movement of Bigheaded Carps

Invasive Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis, hereafter referred to as bigheaded carps, have displayed a negative phonotactic response when presented with a broadband acoustic stimulus. Additional study is needed to identify effective acoustic stimuli for manipulating bigheaded carp behavior, and to test bigheaded carp responses to those stimuli in...
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Silver Carp, Illinois River

Assessment of newly developed acoustic stimuli for manipulating movement of bigheaded carps

Bigheaded carps, like other cyprinids, have specialized structures known as Weberian ossicles 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 silver and bighead carp behavior.
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Ecosystems, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
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Assessment of newly developed acoustic stimuli for manipulating movement of bigheaded carps

Bigheaded carps, like other cyprinids, have specialized structures known as Weberian ossicles 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 silver and bighead carp behavior.
Learn More
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Juvenile Silver Carp used to evaluate the efficacy of sound as a deterrent in test ponds.

Application of broadband sound for bigheaded carp deterrence

Bigheaded carp, especially silver (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), are invasive fish species that have established breeding populations dominating large regions of the Mississippi Drainage in the 20 years following escape from aquaculture facilities in Arkansas.
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Invasive Species Program, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
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Application of broadband sound for bigheaded carp deterrence

Bigheaded carp, especially silver (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), are invasive fish species that have established breeding populations dominating large regions of the Mississippi Drainage in the 20 years following escape from aquaculture facilities in Arkansas.
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A Silver Carp tagged with an acoustic transmitter (black tag located on the fish’s back) to monitor movement in the field. Fish

Bioacoustic manipulation of invasive Bigheaded carp

Bigheaded carp, especially silver (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), are invasive fish species that have established breeding populations dominating large regions of the Mississippi Drainage in the 20 years following escape from aquaculture facilities in Arkansas
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Invasive Species Program, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
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Bioacoustic manipulation of invasive Bigheaded carp

Bigheaded carp, especially silver (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), are invasive fish species that have established breeding populations dominating large regions of the Mississippi Drainage in the 20 years following escape from aquaculture facilities in Arkansas
Learn More
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Staff deploying an acoustic deterrent system in the CAWS

Asian Carp Integrated Control and Containment: Acoustic Deterrents for Asian Carp

The long-term goal of this project is to develop acoustic deterrents to prevent the upstream migration of Asian carp to the Great Lakes.
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Asian Carp Integrated Control and Containment: Acoustic Deterrents for Asian Carp

The long-term goal of this project is to develop acoustic deterrents to prevent the upstream migration of Asian carp to the Great Lakes.
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Filter Total Items: 13

Not all carp are created equal: Impacts of broadband sound on common carp swimming behavior

Bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), silver carp (H. molitrix) (hereafter: bigheaded carps), and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) are invasive fish causing negative impacts throughout their North American range. To control their movements, non-physical barriers are being developed. Broadband sound (0.06 to 10 kHz) has shown potential as an acoustic deterrent for bigheaded carps, but the respons
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Ecosystems, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Restoration versus invasive species: Bigheaded carps’ use of a rehabilitated backwater

Knowledge of how invasive species use invaded habitats can aid in developing management practices to exclude them. Swan Lake, a 1100-ha Illinois River (USA) backwater, was rehabilitated to restore ecosystem functions, but may provide valuable habitat for invasive bigheaded carps [bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and silver carp (H. molitrix)]. Use (residency and passages) of Swan Lake by
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Ecosystems, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Evaluating upstream passage and timing of approach by adult bigheaded carps at a gated dam on the Illinois River

Dams are a conservation threat because they function as barriers to native fish movement; however, they may prevent the spread of invasive species. Invasive bigheaded carps (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) threaten the Great Lakes ecosystem and are advancing towards Lake Michigan via the Illinois River. Navigation dams on the Illinois River may deter bigheaded carps' upstream movement. We investigated th
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Ecosystems, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

An integral projection model with YY-males and application to evaluating grass carp control

Invasive fish species disrupt ecosystems and cause economic damage. Several methods have been discussed to control populations of invasive fish including the release of YY-males. YY-males are fish that have 2 male chromosomes compared to a XY-male. When YY-males mate, they only produce male (XY) offspring. This decreases the female proportion of the population and can, in theory, eradicate local p
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Ecosystems, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

USGS Integration of New Science and Technology, Appendix A

This product summarizes the USGS plans for integration of new science and technology into Asian Carp control efforts for 2017. This includes the 1) implementation and evaluation of new tactics and behavioral information for monitoring, surveillance, control and containment; 2) understanding behavior and reproduction of Asian carp in established and emerging populations to inform deterrent deployme
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Ecosystems, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Reexamining the frequency range of hearing in silver (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead (H. nobilis) carp

Silver (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead (H. nobilis) carp (collectively bigheaded carp) are invasive fish that threaten aquatic ecosystems in the upper Midwest United States and the Laurentian Great Lakes. Controlling bigheaded carp is a priority of fisheries managers and one area of focus involves developing acoustic deterrents to prevent upstream migration. For an acoustic deterrent to
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Ecosystems, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Multistate models of bigheaded carps in the Illinois River reveal spatial dynamics of invasive species

Knowledge of the spatial distributions and dispersal characteristics of invasive species is necessary for managing the spread of highly mobile species, such as invasive bigheaded carps (Bighead Carp [Hypophthalmichthys nobilis] and Silver Carp [H. molitrix]). Management of invasive bigheaded carps in the Illinois River has focused on using human-made barriers and harvest to limit dispersal towards
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Ecosystems, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Evaluation of an acoustic fish deterrent system in shallow water application at the Emiquon Preserve, Lewistown, IL.

Expansion of non-native fish have caused ecological and economic damage and can negatively impact native fish populations. Current research on deterrent technologies for bighead Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and silver carp H. molitrix have primarily focused on reducing upstream movement in large river lock approaches. However, there is also interest in excluding carp from smaller-scale locations. A
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Ecosystems, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Early generation hybrids may drive range expansion of two invasive fishes

1. Introgressive hybridization between two invasive species has the potential to contribute to their invasion success and provide genetic resiliency to rapidly adapt to new environments. Additionally, differences in the behaviour of hybrids may lead to deleterious ecosystem effects that compound any negative impacts of the invading parental species. 2. Invasive silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys m
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Ecosystems, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Lock operations influence upstream passages of invasive and native fishes at a Mississippi River high-head dam

Asian carps continue to expand their range in North America, necessitating efforts to limit the spread and establishment of reproducing populations. Mississippi River Lock and Dam 19 is a high-head dam that represents a population ‘pinch-point’ as passage through the lock chamber is the only means by which fishes can complete upstream movement. As such, this location could be a pivotal control poi
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Ecosystems, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Telemetry evaluation of carbon dioxide as a behavioral deterrent for invasive carps

Carbon dioxide (CO2) mixed into water is being explored as a possible management strategy to deter the upstream movements of invasive carps through navigation locks and other migratory pinch-points. This study used two-dimensional acoustic telemetry to assess the effectiveness of dissolved CO2 as a chemosensory deterrent to two carp species in a large U-shaped pond. Free-swimming movements of tele
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Ecosystems, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Exploring how vessel activity influences the soundscape at a navigation lock on the Mississippi River

Vessel sound is now globally recognized as a significant and pervasive pollutant to aquatic life. However, compared to marine environments, there is a paucity of data on sound emitted by vessel activity in freshwater habitats. The Upper Mississippi River (UMR) is home to a diverse array of aquatic life as well as being a key route for barge transportation with 29 locks and dams. In this study, pas
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Ecosystems, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Carp Media Player

This product is a media player application and user guide. The application generates set-interval and random-interval media play schedules. When the application is used to execute the play schedule, it creates its own metadata documentation. The Carp Media Player documents the intended play schedule, generates a real-time log of the media played, and documents if there were any interruptions. This
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

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