| The
last group of spotted seatrout was implanted with acoustic
transmitters on Oct. 13th and 15th as part of a Calcasieu
Lake study. Thirty four fish were captured by volunteer
anglers and transported to the tagging vessel. Once transferred
to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries vessel,
Ladyfish, they were sedated, weighed and measured.
A yellow dart tag was inserted near the fish’s dorsal
fin. Sex was determined either visually during surgical
implant of an acoustic transmitter, by biopsy sample or
by grunting/croaking during handling. Only male fish of
the Sciaenidae (drum, redfish, croaker, seatrout…)
family grunt.
Once the transmitter
was implanted and the incision stitched shut, the fish was
placed in a holding tank with re-circulating water to recover.
After 10 minutes, if the fish looked energetic it was released.
This last group of fish brings the total number of acoustically
implanted trout to more than 180. Survival is confirmed
when a fish passes within 250 meters of one of the 55 acoustic
receivers placed throughout the Calcasieu estuary. Survival
rate of surgically implanted fish is good with more 80 percent
of fish living for at least one month. Data will be collected
for one more year.
On Wednesday,
Oct. 15th, a special guest participated in the project.
Robert Barham, Secretary of Louisiana Department of Wildlife
and Fisheries, caught a couple of fish, transported them
to the tagging vessel and observed the entire implanting
and tagging process.
In early September,
Jody Callihan, PhD student at LSU in charge of the project,
was confronted with a monumental task. With Hurricane Gustav
threatening to destroy the receivers throughout the estuary,
he along with LDWF personnel removed and safely stored all
receivers, buoys and concrete anchors. With Hurricane Ike
coming through the following week, the receivers were not
re-deployed until the last week of September. It will be
interesting to see what effect Ike’s huge storm surge
has on these fish.
Boaters and fishermen
are reminded not to tie off to or tamper with the yellow
LSU research buoys. Also, anglers are asked to release any
yellow dart tagged spotted seatrout. If the fish is not
able to be released please return the transmitter so it
can be used again. To report the capture of a tagged fish
call 1-800-891-3977 and give the tag number and date and
location of capture. 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.
Read
more about the project at: www.seagrantfish.lsu.edu/pdfs/lagniappe/2007/05-01-2007.pdf
or www.seagrantfish.lsu.edu/news/2007/fishtags.htm
.
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