LE3 .A278 2011

2011

Avery, Trevor

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Biology

Biology

Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) is a native anadromous fish of the eastern seaboard of North America. The most recent Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (2004) assessment lists Striped Bass as a threatened species. Historically, recruitment of Striped Bass native to the Bay of Fundy (BoF) came from the Saint John, the Annapolis and the Shubenacadie Rivers. Currently the Saint John and Annapolis River populations are considered extirpated, leaving the Shubenacadie as the only remaining BoF river that contributes to recruitment. Remnant, mature Striped Bass of the Annapolis River population may still exist and they may still return to spawn. The main objective of this study was to determine if any Striped Bass still return to the Annapolis River to spawn as determined through egg, larvae and juvenile surveys. Egg surveys were performed by plankton net sampling. Tows were performed in previously documented spawning areas, but only American Shad and/or Alewife eggs were found. Beach seine surveys were performed at 12 sites along the Annapolis River to search for juveniles. The twelve sites spanned from Bridgetown to the Annapolis Basin (entire tidal range). Many other species of small fish were caught during beach seining, but no Striped Bass. The status of the small fish assemblages in the river was documented to determine spatial and temporal trends. White Perch (Morone americana; same genus as Striped Bass) were found at most sites. It appears that no Striped Bass returned to the Annapolis River this past year to spawn and future monitoring for Striped Bass recruitment is recommended on a 5-10 year period.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:769