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2008 Tracy Research Study Plan
Sonic Tag Tracking Studies of Striped Bass Passage at the Tracy Fish Collection Facility, Report of Findings
Principal Investigators
Raymond Bark, Fishery Biologist, USBR – Denver Technical Service Center, Fisheries and Wildlife Research Group rbark@do.usbr.gov
Warren Frizell, Research Hydraulic Engineer, USBR – Denver Technical Service Center, Water Resources Research Group wfrizell@do.usbr.gov
Brandon Wu, Fishery Biologist, USBR – Tracy Field Office, Tracy Fish Collection Facility bwu@mp.usbr.gov
Problem Statement
The striped bass, Morone saxatilis, is a predator on native fish, particularly endangered and threatened species such as Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, steelhead, O. mykiss, and Delta smelt, Hypomesus transpacificus, that are currently being salvaged at the TFCF for recovery and restoration in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Estuary (the Delta) in California. The primary objective of this study is to characterize striped bass passage behavior, residence times, passage rates, swimming speeds, and potential delay and holding positions within the TFCF as a function of hydraulic and environmental conditions. The fundamental goal is to promote expedient striped bass passage into the fish collection tanks in order to minimize predation and conditions that favor holding and residency of striped bass within TFCF and, thereby, to assist recovery and restoration of native species.
Study Summary
The primary goal of this research is to characterize predator fish (striped bass) movement patterns and residency within the Tracy Fish Collection Facility (TFCF) with the overall goal of promoting efficient facility passage and collection. Native fishes, principally ESA (Endangered Species Act, 1973) listed species, moving within the TFCF system are subject to increased rates of predation and predator induced injuries. Expediting ESA species restoration and recovery through collection and transport back into the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta via the TFCF is fundamental to restoring listed stocks. This proposal is directed at identifying those behavioral and physical attributes that contribute to predator residualization within the TFCF. By increasing our knowledge of predator movement and residency at the TFCF, we may be able to develop a more efficient removal technique and expand methods to expedite facility passage.
Acoustic tags are being used to monitor the swimming behavior and movements of adult striped bass residing in and passing through the TFCF. The ability to characterize movement is key to promoting efficient fish passage and collection. Methods of attaching acoustic tags have involved surgical implantation into the abdominal cavity, gastric implantation into the stomach, and we have also externally attached some tags to the upper peduncle area. Tags are programmed to emit an acoustic pulse at variable intervals per second on a given radio frequency. Directional, mobile hydrophones are used to triangulate the location of the transmitted signal from the sonic tagged fish. Fish are tracked throughout the facility as they move in the primary louver array, through the primary fish bypasses, through the secondary louver array, and into the fish collection tanks or downstream or upstream of the facility.
Objectives
To prepare a Tracy Technical Report Series publication presenting a comprehensive overview of the 2003-2007 sonic tag tracking data. A summary of fish location, swimming speed, movement, direction, and distribution patterns of striped bass will be provided across spatial, temporal, and environmental variables.
Characterize fish passage efficiency before bypass replacement (April 2004) and after (May 2004 – 2007) construction of the new fish bypass structures. Preliminary data indicate that pre-construction fish bypass efficiencies (Primary area to collection) averaged 46% for adult striped bass.
We were able to establish a cost-effective, automatic “real time” sonic tag monitoring system consisting of Submersible Ultrasonic Receivers (SUR) and hydrophone stations (receivers and directional hydrophones) to monitor fish passage and movement through the TFCF.
During fall and spring periods, when high numbers of small fish are being entrained into the facility, we conducted two 48 – 72 hour semi-continuous tracking surveys throughout the TFCF to determine if striped bass strategize towards diurnal feeding patterns and movement. Tracking data were collected approximately every hour.
Hypotheses
The null hypothesis is that no significant differences in striped bass movement patterns, distribution, or passage rates occur over a diversity of seasonal, hydraulic, physical, biological, or water quality variables.
More specifically, among the hypotheses to be tested that have direct fish facility management operational implications are:
- expedient fish passage through the system is directly correlated with water discharge and velocities
- fish passage is a function of the diurnal light regime and water temperature conditions
- fish passage is related to the tidal cycle
- fish passage is related to schooling behavior
- fish passage is related to size
- sonic tags do not influence fish behavior and condition
Assumptions
Foremost, among the limitations for testing these hypotheses with the following methods are that (1) the insertion or attachment of sonic tags do not alter swimming, schooling, or other normal behavioral patterns during the experimental period, (2) species, sizes, and behavior of captive wild experimental striped bass used to establish passage and distribution patterns are representative of wild striped bass in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and, (3) that the handling, and artificial timing and injection of test fish will not unduly bias fish movement and passage behavior.
The primary assumption to be tested is that sonic tag surgical implantation into the abdominal cavity, gastric implantation into the stomach, and externally attached tags have no significant effect on the passage behavior of striped bass. This assumption will be examined by comparing the swimming and feeding behavior of the different sonic tagging methods versus non-sonic tagged fish.
Methods and Approach
Acoustic tags have been used to monitor adult and juvenile fish migration through rivers and estuaries, and at hydroelectric dams (Potter 1988, Moore et al. l990, Timko et al. 2002). Acoustic tag system performance can be predicted and estimated to provide good position accuracy (Ehrenberg and Steig, 2002).
In this study, 10 to 25 sub-adult striped bass were released within the TFCF with a surgically-implanted, gastric, or externally attached sonic tag for detection and tracking of their movements. All fish were measured in weight (g) and total and fork length (mm) before release. Fish were anesthetized with tricane methane sulfonate (MS-222) to reduce stress and mortality during handling and were allowed a sufficient post-operation recovery and withdrawal period of at least 21 days or more before release (Moore et al. 1990, Kelsch and Shields 1996).
Ultrasonic tag transmitter product IBT96-5 were the primary sonic tag used for these feasibility assessments. Sonic transmitters were modified by the manufacturer to reduce noise typical of the TFCF system caused by high ambient water turbulence, bubbles, and echoes within the steel and concrete structure. Modifications to the receiving equipment were also employed to reduce background “noise” that may disrupt the hydroacoustic signal.
Floy tagged striped bass served as the basic physical reference (control) technique to help determine if the sonic tag implantation or attachment alter swimming or passage behavior throughout the TFCF. Striped bass were floy tagged sub-durally near the dorsal fin and released in combination with sonic tagged striped bass. Floy tagged striped bass were similar in size and weight to the sonic tagged fish, both sets of tagged fish will provide a comprehensive view of fish passage and distribution patterns to correlate with physical and environmental parameters.
Sonic “pinger” tags (Sontronics Inc., Tucson, AZ) were selected for use in striped bass at the TFCF. The ultrasonic tag (IBT-96-5) are small, encapsulated (ABS inert plastic) omni-directional pingers with rounded edges for surgical or oral implantation. Tags with holes for external attachment are optional. The tags measure 36 mm in length x 13 mm in diameter, weighing 3.2 g in soft water, signal on 69 – 83 kilohertz, with a range of 500 meters and a life expectancy of 5 months or more after activation. Larger tags (CHP-87-S) measuring 67 mm x 18 mm in diameter, weighing 8 g in soft water, with a greater range of 1000 m and life expectancy of 7 months were used on larger-sized (> 3 kg) striped bass early during the study. These tags were gastronomically and surgically-implanted or externally attached as the smaller tags are and all fish were measured in weight (g) and total and fork length (mm) before release and upon recapture.
Tagged striped bass were released and tracked manually during the PI’s site visits and almost every week day by participating TFCF personnel to determine movement patterns, residency and seasonal influences on fish passage and behavior. Wild, captive fish from the TFCF were used in the tracking studies rather than hatchery surrogates to help assure representative passage behavior through the facility.
Prior to release, fish were acclimated to canal water temperatures and quality. Acclimated fish were released individually and in small groups at the entrance (trash rack or fish bypasses) to the facility. During periods when high numbers of small fish are being entrained into the TFCF (fall and spring) two sets of sonic tagged fish were tracked every hour at the facility covering a 48-72 hour period or longer (or until they are collected in the fish holding tanks) to determine diurnal behavior and movement. Mobile and fixed hydrophone-receiver systems determined movement during day, night, and crepuscular periods throughout the facility. Each acoustic tag provides a unique sonic code (number of chirps) and transmission interval (ms) on a specific frequency (69-83 khz). Acoustic tags can also be programmed to transmit signals on the quarter and half frequencies, e.g. 70.25, 70.5, 70.75. Two stationary hydrophone receiving systems were set-up inside of the TFCF collection tanks scanning ten frequencies ( ten frequencies maximum of 60 total for automated scanning) to provide immediate collection information.
Fish passage speed (or residency time) from injection point release through the facility into the fish collection tanks or downstream of the facility will provide data for fish passage collection efficiency. Tracking the movements of tagged fish with known sonic tag frequencies provided a continuous view of their locomotive behavioral patterns within the facility as a function of many biotic (fish species, size, condition) and abiotic variables (water velocity, salinity, turbidity, water temperature and quality) seasonally and daily. From the tracking data, a comprehensive description of fish passage behavior, ranging from active swimming, to passive drifting, to holding positions as a function of structure and system hydraulics will be included in the report. Movement distance, direction, and velocity will be correlated within the system relative to flow and velocity profiles.
Hydrodynamic studies characterized the general mean channel velocities and hydraulics throughout the TFCF system, and site-specific velocity profiles and vectors at locations in the system where sonic tags indicate that fish are holding static or exhibiting abnormal passage behavior. Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) unit was used to measure mean velocities and velocity vectors experienced by fish at these locations. Specific information on the location and exact movements of fish in relation to flow and water velocity vectors throughout the TFCF will demonstrate where and how various species and sizes of fish are delayed during passage.
Coordination
The proposed research is directed at improvements in fish passage and collection within the TFCF. This research is coordinated with other USBR fisheries research internal to the TFCF, as well as the interagency TTAT (Tracy Technical Advisory Team) and other interested agencies engaged in fish facility research in the South Delta. Information gathered in this research will be published as part of the Tracy Publication Series and possibly as a referred journal article and shared with the CALFED agencies and cooperators.
Resources and Capabilities
Raymond Bark is a fishery biologist and full time staff member of the USBR’s Fisheries and Wildlife Group (86-68290) at Denver Technical Service Center with extensive experience carrying out studies throughout the western U.S. and at TFCF as well as co-authoring three Tracy Publication Series volumes.
Warren Frizell has carried out and published many reports and publications on hydraulic research for the USBR throughout the western states. He has extensive experience with hydraulic assessments of both the Red Bluff Research Pumping Plant and the TFCF in the Central Valley.
Brandon Wu is a fishery biologist for the USBR Tracy Field Office and is a full time employee stationed at the TFCF for the past three years.
Data Analysis
ANOVA (Sokal and Rohlf, l981) will be used to test the null hypothesis that fish passage is unrelated to diel or seasonal events including, high or low water discharge and velocities, day or night photoperiod, high or low tidal influence. Non-parametric analysis will be used to examine for significant differences in passage times over a wide range of variables including water temperatures, fish species, and fish densities. Regression analysis will be used to detect any significant relationships among fish passage discharge, velocity, or turbulence. An alpha level of 0.05 was used as the criteria for detecting statistical significance.
Dissemination of Results (Deliverables)
Information gathered in this research will be published as part of the TFCF Publication Series and as a published journal article, and shared with the CALFED agencies. A Tracy Series report volume covering all 2003-2007 tracking data will be submitted for peer review by October 2008, following guidelines in Craft and Liston (2003).
Literature/References
Bowen, M., S. Siegfried, C. Liston, L. Hess, and C. Karp. l997. Comparisons of simultaneous fish collections from salvage tanks and a sieve net employed downstream of the secondary louver structure. Tracy Fish Collection Facility Series, Vol. 7. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Technical Center, Denver, CO.
Craft, D. and C. Liston. 2003. Guidelines for authors of Tracy Series Technical Reports. Tracy Fish Facilities Studies, Volume 13. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region and Denver Technical Service Center.
Ehrenberg J. E., and T. W. Steig. 2002. A method of estimating the position accuracy of acoustic fish tags. Journal of Marine Science 59: 140-149.
Federal Register. January 4, 1994. Volume 59, Number 2, Page 440.
Federal Register. Sept. 16, 1999. Volume 64, Number 179, Page 50394
Federal Register. March 19, 1998. Volume 63, Number 53, Page 13347.
Federal Register. March 5, 1993. Volume 58, Number 42, Page 12854.
Kelsch S.W. and B. Shields. 1996. Care and Handling of Sampled Organisms. Fisheries Techniques, 2nd Ed. (ed. By B.R. Murphy & D.W. Willis), pp. 121-155. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD.
Moore, A., I.C. Russell, and E.C.E. Potter. 1990. The effects of intraperitoneally implanted acoustic transmitters on the behavior and physiology of juvenile Atlantic salmon, Salmo Solar. Journal of Fish Biology 37: 713-721.
Potter, E.C.E. 1988. Movements of Atlantic Salmon, Salmo salar L., in an estuary in south-west England. Journal of Fish Biology, 33A: 153-159.
Puckett, K., C. Liston, C. Karp, and L. Hess. l996. Preliminary examination of factors that influence fish salvage estimates at the Tracy Fish Collection Facility, CA. Tracy Fish Collection Facility Series, Vol. 4. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific and Denver Technical Center, Denver, CO.
Sokal R. R., and F. J. Rohlf. 1981. Biometry. Second edition. W. H Freeman and Co., New York.
Timko, M., T. W. Steig, and P. A. Nealson. 2002. Monitoring the three-dimensional behavior of acoustically tagged salmon approaching hydropower dams in the Pacific Northwest. Symposium on Acoustics in Fisheries and Aquatic Ecology, Montpellier, France. June 2002.
Voegeli, F. A., G. L. Lacroix , and J. M. Anderson. 1998. Development of miniature pingers for tracking Atlantic salmon smolts at sea. Hydrobiologia, 371/372: 35-46.
Updated December 16, 2007