American eel (Anguilla rostrata) habitat use within a Nova Scotian watershed
LE3 .A278 2012
2012
Avery, Trevor
Acadia University
Bachelor of Science
Honours
Biology
American eel, Anguilla rostrata, have been identified as a species of special concern by COSEWIC after experiencing drastic population reductions in the Great Lakes and upper St. Lawrence regions of Canada. The purpose of this study was to examine habitat use by eels in a small watershed to gain insight regarding the health of eel populations within the Atlantic region and to characterize eel movement patterns. East River, located in East River, Nova Scotia, was chosen as the study site for its range of habitats. Three eel pots were set in the East River, one in a small tributary (Barry’s Brook), and three in Labrador Lake, the headwater to Barry’s Brook. Traps were relocated every 2-3 weeks to examine various habitats located at these sites and to randomize sampling both spatially and temporally. Selected eels were tagged with Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags to monitor movement and catches. A total of 295 eel were captured between 10 June and 26 August 2011 during 25 days of fishing with 93 recaptures from 65 tagged individuals. Eel catch-per-unit-effort was significantly higher in the East River, in comparison to Barry’s Brook and Labrador Lake. Eels captured in Labrador Lake were significantly longer and heavier than those in the brook or river. Analyses of captured eels show an exponential relationship between length and weight and were comparable to other studies in areas along the Eastern seaboard. Recapture data suggested that eels do not move between different sites if minor barriers are present. The longest movement was 258 m within East River between two sites in an unobstructed stretch of this area. Capture activity suggests that eels are influenced by both lunar cycles and precipitation events. Eels within other watersheds display similar patterns of home range establishment and temporal movement patterns.
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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:883
