LE3 .A278 2015

2015

Redden, Anna

Acadia University

Master of Science

Masters

Biology

Biology

Minas Passage (Bay of Fundy, NS) is a migratory pathway for many fish species and is also the site of tidal in-stream energy conversion (TISEC) device testing. The impact of this development on fish moving in the area is unknown. Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis), a recreationally fished, anadromous species, is of concern due to its migratory use of Minas Passage and designation as “endangered” by COSEWIC (2012). In this study, acoustic telemetry was used to identify spatial and temporal movement and distribution patterns of Striped Bass in near-shore waters of Minas Basin (summer and fall) and in Minas Passage (summer, fall and winter) during 2011-2013. Striped Bass (0.38 – 0.87 m fork length, FL) were tagged on the Stewiacke River spawning grounds (n=27), and in the Southern Bight of Minas Basin (n=58); 99% of tagged Striped Bass were detected by at least one acoustic receiver. Striped Bass tagged in the Southern Bight tended to remain in that area throughout the summer-fall foraging period, while Stewiacke-tagged Striped Bass showed no site preference in Minas Basin. Fifty-four percent of all tagged Striped Bass were detected in Minas Passage over a total of 250 days during the two-year study period. Ninety-nine of these detection days were during the cold winter months (<5°C water temperatures), when activity levels would have been reduced. Striped Bass were typically detected throughout the upper 50m of the water column in Minas Passage, with diel vertical migration more evident during the summer-fall foraging period than during winter. Travel rates of Striped Bass through Minas Passage exceeded known critical swimming speeds, indicating that travel was current-assisted. These findings inform risk assessment, FORCE’s environmental effects monitoring program, and management of Striped Bass in the Bay of Fundy.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:394