Ai Tshort
-
Upload
guest182068 -
Category
Travel
-
view
534 -
download
0
Transcript of Ai Tshort
Asian Institute of TechnologyAsian Institute of Technology SERDSERD SeminarSeminar
Jed BrownJed Brown
Fisheries and Wildlife DivisionFisheries and Wildlife Division
District Department of the EnvironmentDistrict Department of the Environment
Washington, DCWashington, DC
USAUSA
OutlineOutline Biography/BackgroundBiography/Background Coastal/anadromous fishCoastal/anadromous fish
SpeciesSpecies Status and problemsStatus and problems
Navigation—vessel strike mortality in Atlantic sturgeonNavigation—vessel strike mortality in Atlantic sturgeon Coastal fish habitat degradation from invasive speciesCoastal fish habitat degradation from invasive species
Common reed phragmites (wetland plant)Common reed phragmites (wetland plant) Dams—fish passage and trade-offs with hydropowerDams—fish passage and trade-offs with hydropower
University of ArizonaUniversity of Arizona
Tested the feasibility of using halophytes (salt-Tested the feasibility of using halophytes (salt-tolerant plants) to remove nutrients (nitrogen and tolerant plants) to remove nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) from saline aquaculture effluentphosphorus) from saline aquaculture effluent
Halophytes being domesticated for production of Halophytes being domesticated for production of oil seed, forageoil seed, forage
Conducted mass balance experiments using Conducted mass balance experiments using draining lysimeters (soil-filled containers)draining lysimeters (soil-filled containers)
University of Arizona--University of Arizona--ResultsResults
Plant-soil system effective in removing N and P from Plant-soil system effective in removing N and P from wastewater over a range of salinitieswastewater over a range of salinities Plants more effective at removing NPlants more effective at removing N Some P leachingSome P leaching
Significant differences among plant species in filtering Significant differences among plant species in filtering capacitycapacity
Large land area required to treat a given area of Large land area required to treat a given area of aquaculture production, but cost is much lower aquaculture production, but cost is much lower relative to aquatic biofiltersrelative to aquatic biofilters
NOAA Fisheries Restoration CenterNOAA Fisheries Restoration Center
Coastal Habitat Restoration ActivitiesCoastal Habitat Restoration Activities
Natural Resource Damage Assessment Program (NRDA)Natural Resource Damage Assessment Program (NRDA)Restoration conducted pursuant to:Restoration conducted pursuant to:
Releases of hazardous materials (CERCLA)Releases of hazardous materials (CERCLA) Oil Spills (OPA)Oil Spills (OPA)
Community-Based RestorationCommunity-Based Restoration
Small Scale Restoration projectsSmall Scale Restoration projects PartnershipsPartnerships Strong involvement from the local communityStrong involvement from the local community
Coastal Wetland Planning, Protection and Restoration ActCoastal Wetland Planning, Protection and Restoration Act
Large-scale coastal wetland restoration in LouisianaLarge-scale coastal wetland restoration in Louisiana
US Fish & Wildlife ServiceUS Fish & Wildlife Service
USFWS—work with states to restore coastal USFWS—work with states to restore coastal and anadromous fisheriesand anadromous fisheries
Delaware RiverDelaware River Central New EnglandCentral New England
Restoring Coastal and Restoring Coastal and Anadromous Fishes and Their Anadromous Fishes and Their Habitat on the US Atlantic Habitat on the US Atlantic Coast: Challenges and Coast: Challenges and OpportunitiesOpportunities
Jed BrownJed BrownFisheries and Wildlife DivisionFisheries and Wildlife DivisionDistrict Department of the EnvironmentDistrict Department of the EnvironmentWashington, DCWashington, DC
OutlineOutline Biography/BackgroundBiography/Background Coastal/anadromous fishCoastal/anadromous fish
SpeciesSpecies Status and problemsStatus and problems
Navigation—vessel strike mortality in Atlantic sturgeonNavigation—vessel strike mortality in Atlantic sturgeon Coastal fish habitat degradation from invasive speciesCoastal fish habitat degradation from invasive species
Salt marsh plants—common reed phragmitesSalt marsh plants—common reed phragmites Dams—fish passage and trade-offs with hydropowerDams—fish passage and trade-offs with hydropower
USFWS: Focus on estuarine, , coastal and anadromous fish restoration
Anadromous fish--species that migrate into the ocean, mature, and species that migrate into the ocean, mature, and return to rivers to spawnreturn to rivers to spawn
River herring
Atlantic sturgeon
American shad
Sea lamprey
Striped bass
Atlantic salmon
Importance of anadromous fishImportance of anadromous fish
Link between marine and freshwater Link between marine and freshwater systems (e.g. nutrient transfer)systems (e.g. nutrient transfer)
Important commercial and recreational Important commercial and recreational speciesspecies
Prey source for Prey source for marine/estuarine/freshwater fishesmarine/estuarine/freshwater fishes
Historical/cultural resourceHistorical/cultural resource
Work to restore depleted Work to restore depleted populationspopulations
Atlantic salmon—ESA listedAtlantic salmon—ESA listed Shortnose sturgeon—ESA listedShortnose sturgeon—ESA listed Atlantic sturgeon—ESA candidateAtlantic sturgeon—ESA candidate American shad—Most populations American shad—Most populations
decliningdeclining Alewife—Species of ConcernAlewife—Species of Concern Blueback herring—Species of ConcernBlueback herring—Species of Concern
(Secor and Waldman, AFS Symposium 23:203-216,1999)
Atlantic sturgeon landings, Delaware Bay
Delaware River and Estuary American shad harvest
Sutton et al., 1996
1908 U.S. Shad landings ranked 2nd in volume behind Atlantic cod, and 3rd in value behind Pacific salmon and cod.
1960 U.S. shad landings fell to 34th in value and 48th in volume.
They are insignificant today
Drying shad netsNew Castle, DEc. 1900
Problems
Habitat alterationDams
Pollution Over-harvest
Invasive speciesBycatchBycatch
Restoration & ResearchRestoration & Research
Fishery managementFishery management Habitat improvementsHabitat improvements Hatchery productionHatchery production Conduct research Conduct research
Causes of population declinesCauses of population declines Emerging threatsEmerging threats
OutlineOutline Coastal/anadromous fishCoastal/anadromous fish
SpeciesSpecies Status and problemsStatus and problems
Navigation—vessel strike mortality in Atlantic sturgeonNavigation—vessel strike mortality in Atlantic sturgeon Disease—striped bass mycobacteriosisDisease—striped bass mycobacteriosis Coastal fish habitat degradation from invasive speciesCoastal fish habitat degradation from invasive species
Common reed phragmites (wetland plant)Common reed phragmites (wetland plant) Dams—fish passage and trade-offs with hydropowerDams—fish passage and trade-offs with hydropower
Atlantic Sturgeon Vessel-Strike Atlantic Sturgeon Vessel-Strike Mortalities in the Delaware Estuary: Mortalities in the Delaware Estuary:
Obstacle to recovery?Obstacle to recovery?
Atlantic SturgeonAtlantic Sturgeon 3.5 meters3.5 meters 350 kilos350 kilos 50-75 years old50-75 years old Live in the ocean, return to rivers to spawnLive in the ocean, return to rivers to spawn Threatened due to overfishing, bycatch, habitat lossThreatened due to overfishing, bycatch, habitat loss
40-year coast-wide harvest moratorium imposed in 1998
Under consideration for listing as a federal Endangered Species
Delaware Estuary Delaware Estuary
Tidal portion of the Delaware RiverStretches fromTrenton, NJ to the Mouth of the Delaware Bay
Highly industrialized
Historicallysupported largestAtlantic sturgeonpopulation
Delaware River, largest Delaware River, largest un-dammed river un-dammed river east of the Mississippieast of the Mississippi
•Delaware Bay--largest Atlantic sturgeon fishery
•Comprised 75% of U.S. harvests 1890-1899
•About 1000 fishermen engaged in this fishery in 1897
•The Delaware Bay may have supported an order of magnitude greater Atlantic sturgeon population than the other Atlantic coast estuaries
Bayside (Caviar), NJ
The caviar gold rush
Vessel-Strike MortalityVessel-Strike Mortality
Mortality caused by entrainment through Mortality caused by entrainment through the propellers of vessels and/or direct the propellers of vessels and/or direct collisions with vessel hulls collisions with vessel hulls
Why are we concerned about Why are we concerned about ship strikes?ship strikes?
Very low population sizesVery low population sizes Largest population in Hudson River ~900 Largest population in Hudson River ~900
spawning adultsspawning adults Altamaha River~350 spawning adultsAltamaha River~350 spawning adults Delaware unknownDelaware unknown
Long-lived fishLong-lived fish Slow to reach maturitySlow to reach maturity Highly vulnerable to impacts from human Highly vulnerable to impacts from human
activitiesactivities
Delaware River PortDelaware River PortComplexComplex
Largest freshwater port Largest freshwater port
complex in the worldcomplex in the world ~3000 ships transit every year~3000 ships transit every year Ports distant from Bay mouthPorts distant from Bay mouth Ships transit 165 km from Ships transit 165 km from
ocean to reach Philadelphiaocean to reach Philadelphia
Philadelphia/Delaware River PortsPhiladelphia/Delaware River Ports DEDE
Delaware CityDelaware City ClaymontClaymont Reedy PointReedy Point WilmingtonWilmington
NJNJ BurlingtonBurlington CamdenCamden DelairDelair GloucesterGloucester PaulsboroPaulsboro SalemSalem WestvilleWestville
PAPA ChesterChester EddystoneEddystone Fairless HillsFairless Hills Marcus HookMarcus Hook PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia TullytownTullytown
Total Vessel Calls 2007
Ocean-going vessels greater than 10,000 deadweight (DWT)
Houston 6,195
LA/LB 5,492
New York 4,968
New Orleans 4,884
San Francisco 3,945
Philadelphia 3,148
Virginia Ports 2,775
Savannah 2,615
Col. River 2,578
Charleston 2,160
Top 10 38,760
All Ports 63,804
Delaware River Ship ChannelDelaware River Ship Channel Shipping channelShipping channel
•203 km from the mouth of 203 km from the mouth of Delaware Bay to Bordentown, Delaware Bay to Bordentown, NJ (~24 km upstream of of NJ (~24 km upstream of of Philadelphia) Philadelphia)
•Maintained at a depth of 12.2 mMaintained at a depth of 12.2 m
•Width varies from 122 m to Width varies from 122 m to 305m--channel is wider in the 305m--channel is wider in the lower estuary and narrower lower estuary and narrower upstream.upstream.
MonitoringMonitoring Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife (DEDFW) began Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife (DEDFW) began
tracking sturgeon mortalities in 2005. tracking sturgeon mortalities in 2005.
Carcasses were reported by citizens or directly by Carcasses were reported by citizens or directly by agency biologistsagency biologists
No dedicated survey program by DEDFW No dedicated survey program by DEDFW
All sturgeon were measured for total length (or length of All sturgeon were measured for total length (or length of portion found), scanned for tags, sexed when practical, portion found), scanned for tags, sexed when practical, examined for injuries, photo documentedexamined for injuries, photo documented
Vessel strike mortalities 2005-2008Vessel strike mortalities 2005-200828 Atlantic sturgeon carcasses between 2005 and 2008
Ranged from Chester, PA to Cape Henlopen, DE
61% of the sturgeon were of adult size (exceeding or likely to exceed 150 cm total length if not severed)
75% of mortalities reported during the months of May and June
Sturgeon had injuries consistent with being struck by a vessel
Probably only some fraction of the total Probably only some fraction of the total vessel-strike mortalities that have vessel-strike mortalities that have occurred are reportedoccurred are reported
Very few beaches or access areas along the Very few beaches or access areas along the length of the Delaware Bay length of the Delaware Bay
Much of the shoreline has dense marsh limiting Much of the shoreline has dense marsh limiting public access and reducing the likelihood that a public access and reducing the likelihood that a carcass will be foundcarcass will be found
Additionally the data are derived primarily from Additionally the data are derived primarily from reports received by DEDFW, and not from any reports received by DEDFW, and not from any agencies on the New Jersey side of the Estuary. agencies on the New Jersey side of the Estuary.
Egg per Recruit ModelEgg per Recruit Model
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Annual percentage of female sturgeon killed by vessel-strikes
% M
ax
imu
m E
PR
VS VS 50%50% ~2.5% of the female population killed annually ~2.5% of the female population killed annually
If the total population is 1,000 females, then probably not more than 25 If the total population is 1,000 females, then probably not more than 25
females could be killed annually without negatively impacting the populationfemales could be killed annually without negatively impacting the population
Vessel-strike mortality Vessel-strike mortality rates that reduced rates that reduced maximum egg maximum egg production by more than production by more than 50% (50% (VS VS 50%) were 50%) were considered to be considered to be unsustainableunsustainable
Avoiding Adverse ImpactsAvoiding Adverse Impacts
•2006, 9 mortalities in the Delaware Estuary
•If this = 100% of mortalities in the Estuary (and were all female), then the population would need to exceed 360 female fish to avoid adverse population impacts
•If this = 50% of the total sturgeon vessel-strike mortalities (and were all females), then the sturgeon population would need to be larger than 720 female fish, to avoid adverse impacts
RecommendationsRecommendationsDetection/ResearchDetection/Research
DetectionDetection Directed ground or aerial surveysDirected ground or aerial surveys Outreach to request public’s assistance in Outreach to request public’s assistance in
reporting carcassesreporting carcasses Creation of a centralized database for the Creation of a centralized database for the
Atlantic CoastAtlantic Coast Trawl behind vessels to detect carcassesTrawl behind vessels to detect carcasses
RecommendationsRecommendationsPrevention/MitigationPrevention/Mitigation
Reduced speed for ships during spawning Reduced speed for ships during spawning seasonseason Proven effective for marine mammalsProven effective for marine mammals Reduces the force of collision impacts Reduces the force of collision impacts Allows animals more time to detect and avoid Allows animals more time to detect and avoid
oncoming vessels oncoming vessels
RecommendationsRecommendationsPrevention/Mitigation Prevention/Mitigation
Diverting sturgeon from channelDiverting sturgeon from channel SoundSound
Ultrasound found effective in controlling the behavior of clupeids—no indication that sturgeon would be capable of detecting ultrasound
Light Light such as mercury and strobe lights can be used
to attract some species and divert others Scent
Attracts sturgeon for feeding and reproduction
Current researchCurrent research
Delaware Fish & Wildlife continues to Delaware Fish & Wildlife continues to monitor mortalitiesmonitor mortalities
Delaware Fish & Wildlife and Delaware Delaware Fish & Wildlife and Delaware State University are conducting gillnetting State University are conducting gillnetting and telemetry studies using acoustic and telemetry studies using acoustic transmitters (including depth sensing tags) transmitters (including depth sensing tags) Identify spawning groundsIdentify spawning grounds Identify depths sturgeon utilizeIdentify depths sturgeon utilize
Delaware Deepening ProjectDelaware Deepening Project
Army Corps of Army Corps of Engineers plans to Engineers plans to deepen main channel deepen main channel
by 5 feet from Bay by 5 feet from Bay mouth to Philadelphiamouth to Philadelphia
165 km165 km Larger vessels will Larger vessels will
transit the estuarytransit the estuary Increase in container Increase in container
and cargo vesselsand cargo vessels
OutlineOutline Biography/BackgroundBiography/Background Coastal/Anadromous fishCoastal/Anadromous fish
SpeciesSpecies Status and problemsStatus and problems
Navigation—vessel strike mortality in Atlantic sturgeonNavigation—vessel strike mortality in Atlantic sturgeon Coastal fish habitat degradation from invasive speciesCoastal fish habitat degradation from invasive species
Common reed phragmites (wetland plant)Common reed phragmites (wetland plant) Dams—fish passage and trade-offs with hydropowerDams—fish passage and trade-offs with hydropower
Growth characteristics and salt tolerance Growth characteristics and salt tolerance of a nonnative invasive population of the of a nonnative invasive population of the common reed common reed Phragmites australisPhragmites australis
Coastal Habitat Degradation from Coastal Habitat Degradation from Invasive SpeciesInvasive Species
Phragmites australis Phragmites australis (common reed)(common reed)
A tall (to over 4m), A tall (to over 4m), emergent wetland grass emergent wetland grass
World-wide distributionWorld-wide distribution Native to U.S.Native to U.S. A population from Eurasia A population from Eurasia
has invaded US estuaries has invaded US estuaries dominated by dominated by Spartina Spartina alternifloraalterniflora
Haplotype—haploid Haplotype—haploid genotypegenotype
The ProblemThe Problem
Wide-spread expansion of nonnative Wide-spread expansion of nonnative Phragmites Phragmites australisaustralis in coastal marshes in New England and in coastal marshes in New England and mid-Atlantic statesmid-Atlantic states
(Not as widespread in the Southeast)(Not as widespread in the Southeast)
Displacing coastal Displacing coastal Spartina alternifloraSpartina alterniflora marshes marshes
Once established, difficult to eradicateOnce established, difficult to eradicate
Spartina alternifloraSpartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) (smooth cordgrass)
The problemThe problem
Phragmites marshes less valuable habitat than Phragmites marshes less valuable habitat than spartina marshesspartina marshes Less habitat for fishes Less habitat for fishes
Spartina marshes important habitat for Spartina marshes important habitat for Fundulus Fundulus heteroclitusheteroclitus (mummichog) (mummichog)
Mummichog is a key prey species for estuarine fishesMummichog is a key prey species for estuarine fishes
Reduced habitat valueReduced habitat value for birds for birds Reduced plant diversityReduced plant diversity
How does phragmites invade?How does phragmites invade?
(Able et al. 2003)
M - Haplotype F - Haplotype
Photo: Bob Meadows, 2005
M-Haplotype(Invasive)
F-Haplotype(Native)
Research questionsResearch questions
Why is the invasive M population Why is the invasive M population different?different?
Why has it become invasive and the native Why has it become invasive and the native populations have not?populations have not?
Can this information be used in managing Can this information be used in managing phragmites?phragmites?
Research objectivesResearch objectives
Compare the salinity tolerance and Compare the salinity tolerance and growth characteristics of the growth characteristics of the introduced haplotype of phragmites introduced haplotype of phragmites with:with: Two native haplotypesTwo native haplotypes Spartina alternifloraSpartina alterniflora
Source of plant materialSource of plant material
Rhizome sections of Rhizome sections of
P. australisP. australis were were
collected from populations in collected from populations in
Delaware and MarylandDelaware and Maryland
Samples included Samples included
two nativetwo native
haplotypes (F & AC) haplotypes (F & AC)
and the introducedand the introduced
invasive invasive
haplotype (M)haplotype (M)
AC
F
Compare invasive phragmites to native phragmites and spartina under common garden conditions along a salinity gradient
Relative Salt Tolerance of Spartina alternifloraand Phragmites australis Haplotypes
Pot Salinity (M NaCl)
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7
Gro
wth
(%
of
Max
imum
)
0
20
40
60
80
100S. alterniflora
M Haplotype Exp. 2
M HaplotypeExp. 1
AC Haplotype
F Haplotype
50% Max
ConclusionsConclusions The invasive M haplotype of phragmites differs in
ecophysiology from the native haplotypes
Exhibits a greater rate of shoot initiation and biomass accumulationExhibits a greater rate of shoot initiation and biomass accumulation Appears to be adapted to a weedy growth strategyAppears to be adapted to a weedy growth strategy More salt tolerant than native populationsMore salt tolerant than native populations
Has allowed this population to invade salt mashesHas allowed this population to invade salt mashes
M haplotype not as salt tolerant as spartinaM haplotype not as salt tolerant as spartina But can invade salt marshes with reduced salinityBut can invade salt marshes with reduced salinity
M haplotype performs well at intermediate salinitiesM haplotype performs well at intermediate salinities Special niche for the M haplotypeSpecial niche for the M haplotype
Reasons for invasion on the Atlantic CoastReasons for invasion on the Atlantic Coast
Shoreline developmentShoreline development
Removal of upland woody vegetationRemoval of upland woody vegetation
No plants to remove freshwater via evapotranspirationNo plants to remove freshwater via evapotranspiration
Greater freshwater input to marshes leads to lower salinityGreater freshwater input to marshes leads to lower salinity
Lowered salinity allows M haplotype to invadeLowered salinity allows M haplotype to invade
Tidal restrictionTidal restriction
Dikes, levees, and poorly designed water-control structures Dikes, levees, and poorly designed water-control structures
Poor flushing, fresh-water build-upPoor flushing, fresh-water build-up
Allows M haplotype to colonizeAllows M haplotype to colonize
Restoration & Control OpportunitiesRestoration & Control OpportunitiesM HaplotypeM Haplotype
Before undertaking control, identify the origin of the Before undertaking control, identify the origin of the population—don’t eradicate native populations!population—don’t eradicate native populations!
Plant/ restore upland vegetation bufferPlant/ restore upland vegetation buffer Require developers to preserve an upland vegetation buffer Require developers to preserve an upland vegetation buffer
(>10 m)(>10 m)
Breach diked salt marshesBreach diked salt marshes
Conventional control (herbicides, burning, etc.)Conventional control (herbicides, burning, etc.)
Complete eradication of M haplotype highly unlikelyComplete eradication of M haplotype highly unlikely
OutlineOutline Coastal/anadromous fishCoastal/anadromous fish
SpeciesSpecies Status and problemsStatus and problems
Navigation—Vessel strike mortality in Atlantic sturgeonNavigation—Vessel strike mortality in Atlantic sturgeon Disease—striped bass mycobacteriosisDisease—striped bass mycobacteriosis Coastal fish habitat degradation from invasive speciesCoastal fish habitat degradation from invasive species
Common reed phragmites (wetland plant)Common reed phragmites (wetland plant) Dams—fish passage and trade-offs with hydropowerDams—fish passage and trade-offs with hydropower
Hydroelectric dams and fish passageHydroelectric dams and fish passageRestoring anadromous fish around damsRestoring anadromous fish around dams
Essex DamEssex DamLawrence, MassLawrence, Mass
Utility companies required to provide upstream and downstream fish Utility companies required to provide upstream and downstream fish passage at damspassage at dams
Construction of fishways renewed interested in fish restorationConstruction of fishways renewed interested in fish restoration
Fish lifts and ladders
Goals in fish passageGoals in fish passage
Primary Goal: reestablish runs to historic or Primary Goal: reestablish runs to historic or sustainable numberssustainable numbers
Providing access to historical spawning habitat Providing access to historical spawning habitat will result in increased population sizeswill result in increased population sizes
Technical goal: maximize passage, minimize Technical goal: maximize passage, minimize delays, transit time, stress, and energetic and delays, transit time, stress, and energetic and reproductive costsreproductive costs
Problems with conducting Problems with conducting restoration on dammed riversrestoration on dammed rivers
Fish lifts/ladders are inefficientFish lifts/ladders are inefficient
Fishways don’t pass many species, i.e. sturgeon, eel, Fishways don’t pass many species, i.e. sturgeon, eel, rainbow smelt, striped bassrainbow smelt, striped bass
Increased energetic costs for shadIncreased energetic costs for shad Reduction in repeat spawning femalesReduction in repeat spawning females Decreases in the mean size and age of adult fish Decreases in the mean size and age of adult fish Lower population fecundity and probably lower annual recruitmentLower population fecundity and probably lower annual recruitment
Predation at base of dams (striped bass)Predation at base of dams (striped bass)
Downstream mortality of outmigrating fish through turbinesDownstream mortality of outmigrating fish through turbines
Restoring anadromous fish on Restoring anadromous fish on dammed riversdammed rivers
Does it work?Does it work?
Look at Merrimack River and other Look at Merrimack River and other dammed riversdammed rivers ConnecticutConnecticut SusquehannaSusquehanna
Historic Fish PopulationsHistoric Fish PopulationsMerrimack RiverMerrimack River
Atlantic salmon ~30,000Atlantic salmon ~30,000 American shad hundreds of thousands to American shad hundreds of thousands to
millionsmillions River herring millions to ten of millionsRiver herring millions to ten of millions We attempt to restore fish populations to We attempt to restore fish populations to
some percentage of these historical some percentage of these historical populationspopulations
Merrimack RiverMerrimack River
177 km long177 km long Drains 13000 sq. km Drains 13000 sq. km Multiple mainstem dams Multiple mainstem dams
with fish passage facilitieswith fish passage facilities
Connecticut RiverConnecticut River
Largest river in New
England 645 km long Drains 28,000 sq. km Multiple mainstem
hydropower dams with
fish passage facilities
Susquehanna River
715 km long
Drains 71,000 sq. km
Largest tributary to Chesapeake Bay
Largest U.S. river that drains into the Atlantic Ocean
Multiple mainstem hydropower dams with fish passage facilities
American shad passage at American shad passage at Merrimack River damsMerrimack River dams
17% of the shad that pass the first dam pass the second dam
American shad passage at Merrimack River Dams
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Essex Pawtucket Amoskeag
American shad passage at Connecticut American shad passage at Connecticut River damsRiver dams
4% of the shad that pass the first dam pass the second dam
American shad passage at Connecticut River Dams
0
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
600,000
700,000
800,000
1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Holyoke Turners Falls Vernon
American shad passage at Susquehanna American shad passage at Susquehanna River damsRiver dams
34% of the shad that pass the first dam pass the second dam
American shad passage at Susquehanna River dams
0
25,000
50,000
75,000
100,000
125,000
150,000
175,000
200,000
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Conowingo Holtwood Safe Harbor York Haven
American shad returnsAmerican shad returns
0
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
600,000
700,000
800,000
1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008
Connecticut River American shad
Merrimack River American shad
Susquehanna River American shad
So, does it work?So, does it work?
Has worked in bringing some fish back to Has worked in bringing some fish back to their historical spawning habitat where their historical spawning habitat where they were excluded by damsthey were excluded by dams
No good evidence of successfully No good evidence of successfully restoring fish populations to “ecologically restoring fish populations to “ecologically significant” levels on Atlantic coastal rivers significant” levels on Atlantic coastal rivers with multiple main stem damswith multiple main stem dams
What is the trade-off for What is the trade-off for restoring around dams?restoring around dams?
DamsDams Produce electricityProduce electricity Provide for recreationProvide for recreation Source for drinking waterSource for drinking water
Value (benefit)Value (benefit)
First seven dams on Merrimack 80 MW First seven dams on Merrimack 80 MW maximum capacitymaximum capacity
Provides about 0.2% of New England’s Provides about 0.2% of New England’s electricity (6 state region)electricity (6 state region)
Powers about 0.5% of New England’s homesPowers about 0.5% of New England’s homes
Total Value= $20,519,381Total Value= $20,519,381
Costs of current arrangementCosts of current arrangement
USFWS and state restoration programsUSFWS and state restoration programs ~$1 million/year~$1 million/year
Lost fish productionLost fish production ????
Consider dam removal?Consider dam removal?
Potential for fish populations to rebound to Potential for fish populations to rebound to near historical numbers?near historical numbers?
Costs of dam removalCosts of dam removal
Value of foregone hydropower Value of foregone hydropower productionproduction
Dam removal costs – small to very large Dam removal costs – small to very large Uncertain who pays for dam removalUncertain who pays for dam removal
Foregone aesthetic and recreational Foregone aesthetic and recreational benefits (primarily associated with the benefits (primarily associated with the impoundments)impoundments)
EconomicsEconomics
Decisions to remove dams usually not Decisions to remove dams usually not made on basis of cost-benefit analysis made on basis of cost-benefit analysis (e.g., Elwa River, WA)(e.g., Elwa River, WA)
Way forwardWay forward
Continue current restoration effortsContinue current restoration efforts Allows fish access to historic spawning Allows fish access to historic spawning
groundsgrounds Generate economic benefit of hydropower Generate economic benefit of hydropower
productionproduction Continue to work with dam owners to Continue to work with dam owners to
modify/improve fishway operationsmodify/improve fishway operations Probably won’t see fish populations return to Probably won’t see fish populations return to
historical levelshistorical levels May impact rebuilding populations of marine May impact rebuilding populations of marine
fish that feed on shad and river herringfish that feed on shad and river herring
Way forwardWay forward
Consider planting the seed of dam removal?Consider planting the seed of dam removal? Penobscot River, Maine as a modelPenobscot River, Maine as a model A trust purchased three dams from the dam ownersA trust purchased three dams from the dam owners Remove the two lower-most dams on the river Remove the two lower-most dams on the river Construct a state-of-the-art fish bypass around the Construct a state-of-the-art fish bypass around the
third damthird dam Give power company the opportunity to increase Give power company the opportunity to increase
generation at six existing dams, which would result in generation at six existing dams, which would result in more than 90% of the current energy generation more than 90% of the current energy generation being maintainedbeing maintained
ConclusionsConclusions
Atlantic sturgeon face a difficult road to recoveryAtlantic sturgeon face a difficult road to recovery
Invasive species will continue to present a Invasive species will continue to present a challenge to fish and coastal habitat restoration challenge to fish and coastal habitat restoration programs and will be difficult to eradicateprograms and will be difficult to eradicate
Shift focus from fishways to dam removals to Shift focus from fishways to dam removals to restore anadromous fish populationsrestore anadromous fish populations
ThailandThailand Sustainable aquacultureSustainable aquaculture
Restoration of abandoned pondsRestoration of abandoned ponds Best Management PracticesBest Management Practices
Coastal restoration/planningCoastal restoration/planning Estuarine ecologyEstuarine ecology Wetland/mangrove ecologyWetland/mangrove ecology Fisheries management/policyFisheries management/policy Marine conservationMarine conservation Invasive speciesInvasive species
CollaboratorsCollaborators
Atlantic sturgeonAtlantic sturgeon Greg Murphy, Delaware Division of Fish & Greg Murphy, Delaware Division of Fish &
WildlifeWildlife
PhragmitesPhragmites Ed Vasquez, Ed Glenn, Steve Nelson, Ed Vasquez, Ed Glenn, Steve Nelson,
University of ArizonaUniversity of Arizona Glenn Guntenspergen, US Geological SurveyGlenn Guntenspergen, US Geological Survey
Thank you!Thank you!
Egg Per Recruit ModelEgg Per Recruit Model
1
1
)(
2
i
t
MVSi
n
ii
teEPR
nn = oldest spawning age, = oldest spawning age, λλ = the proportion of females that are mature at age i, = the proportion of females that are mature at age i, φi = mean fecundity of a female at age Iφi = mean fecundity of a female at age IVSVS = instantaneous rate of vessel-strike mortality during the period t = instantaneous rate of vessel-strike mortality during the period tMM = instantaneous natural mortality rate = instantaneous natural mortality rate
AssumptionsAssumptionsMaximum age of 60 years Maximum age of 60 years Constant M of 0.07 over all ages Constant M of 0.07 over all ages Fishing and bycatch mortality rates equal to zeroFishing and bycatch mortality rates equal to zeroSturgeon are vulnerable to vessel-strikes starting at age 3 Sturgeon are vulnerable to vessel-strikes starting at age 3 Vessel-strike mortality rates that reduced maximum egg production by more than Vessel-strike mortality rates that reduced maximum egg production by more than 50% were unsustainable50% were unsustainable