The
Calcasieu Lake Spotted Seatrout tagging and telemetry research
project entered a second phase on October 9th and 10th,
2007, when transmitters were surgically implanted in 24
fish. Including the fish tagged and implanted in May of
2007, this brings the total to 75. Fish implanted with transmitters
also are tagged with an external yellow dart tag just below
the dorsal fin.
The
implant process begins when volunteer anglers catch spotted
seatrout, place them in live wells and transport them to
the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries tagging
and implant boat anchored near a predetermined fishing location.
The fish is then placed in an anesthetic solution which
causes temporary paralysis or unconsciousness, allowing
the tagging team time to measure, weigh, dart tag, surgically
implant the transmitter and suture the incision closed.
This process is completed in 10 minutes or less and the
fish is then placed in a recovery tank with water flowing
through it. After 12 to 15 minutes in the recovery tank,
the fish is released.
Fish
movements will be tracked using 50 acoustic receivers placed
throughout the Calcasieu estuary. These receivers are suspended
from buoy lines or were fastened to channel markers. When
an implanted fish travels within 200 to 300 yards of the
receiver, the fish’s ID number, the date and time
are recorded. Every four to six weeks, data is downloaded
and each receiver is cleaned to prevent excessive biofouling.
Preliminary
results have shown a wide variety of movements, from resemblance
of a small home range to full scale estuary movements and
even movements offshore. From May to September, more than
42,000 hits were recorded from 41 fish. It appears that
31 of the original 51 fish are in good condition as they
were detected at least two months post-surgery at multiple
stations.
The
project will continue through 2009, with an additional 60
fish being targeted for tagging and implanting in 2008.
Anglers can participate in the program by releasing any
fish with an implanted transmitter. Fish with transmitters
will be marked with a yellow dart tag that reads “LSU-REWARD-PLEASE
RELEASE.” Fishermen catching and releasing a fish
with a yellow tag should call 1-800-891-3977 to report the
tag number and where and when it was caught. Fishermen providing
this information will receive a Louisiana Sport Fish Tagging
Program hat and t-shirt, and will be entered in an annual
drawing for GPS units and cash prizes up to $500.
To read
more about the tagging project visit :
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