Cooper, Charles B.

Deegan, Linda A.

Jones, Andrew W.

Neill, Christopher

Scherer, Michael D.

Turner, Louis C.

English

ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst

University of Massachusetts AmherstScholarWorks@UMass AmherstInternational Conference on Engineering andEcohydrology for Fish PassageInternational Conference on Engineering andEcohydrology for Fish Passage 2016Jun 21st, 2:15 PM - 3:00 PMCase Studies II: Citizen Science on the Move:Detailing the Spawning Migrations of Alewife andBlueback Herring in a Coastal MassachusettsWatershedAndrew W. JonesWoods Hole Oceanographic InstitutionLinda A. DeeganMarine Biological LaboratoryCharles B. CooperCoonamessett River TrustMichael D. SchererCoonamessett River TrustLouis C. TurnerCoonamessett River TrustSee next page for additional authorsFollow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/fishpassage_conferenceThis Event is brought to you for free and open access by the Fish Passage Community at UMass Amherst at ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. It hasbeen accepted for inclusion in International Conference on Engineering and Ecohydrology for Fish Passage by an authorized administrator ofScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. For more information, please contact scholarworks@library.umass.edu.Jones, Andrew W.; Deegan, Linda A.; Cooper, Charles B.; Scherer, Michael D.; Turner, Louis C.; and Neill, Christopher, "Case StudiesII: Citizen Science on the Move: Detailing the Spawning Migrations of Alewife and Blueback Herring in a Coastal MassachusettsWatershed" (2016). International Conference on Engineering and Ecohydrology for Fish Passage. 4.https://scholarworks.umass.edu/fishpassage_conference/2016/June21/4Presenter InformationAndrew W. Jones, Linda A. Deegan, Charles B. Cooper, Michael D. Scherer, Louis C. Turner, and ChristopherNeillThis event is available at ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/fishpassage_conference/2016/June21/4Citizen science on the move: Detailing the spawning migrations of alewife and blueback herring in a coastal Massachusetts watershed Andrew W. Jones1,2, Linda A. Deegan2,3, Charles B. Cooper2, Michael D. Scherer2, Louis C. Turner2, & Christopher Neill3.  1Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, 2Coonamessett River Trust, Falmouth, MA 02540, 3Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543. Volunteers:Peter J. Hargraves Bruce Bertschmann Linda Chambers Thomas Carignan Robert Delano Emily Ferguson Mary Fox Iris Jones Steve Jones Pat Keoughan Roger Kligler Pamela Kokmeyer Linda Lutz Martin Monk Frank Okrasinski Carl Peterson Erica Szuplat Mitch Buck Wendi Buesseler Terry Hughes Ken Kostel Izja Lederhendler Greg Pinto Anne-Marie Runfola Steven Treistman Betsy Gladfelter Camile Romano Andy Nabreski R. Charles Martinsen And many many others!Community effortOther support:Falmouth Rod & Gun Club Sporting Safety Conservation and Education Fund of Falmouth (SSCEFF) Falmouth DNRThe many fish sponsors:>100 individuals and organizations adopted ~1000 herring ~175 students from Falmouth public schools About 85% of the program costs in 2015 and a similar percentage in 2016Assistance and advice:Heidi Golden, UConn Cameron MacKenzie, MBL Derrick J. Alcott, UMass Wendi Buesseler, CRT Joel Llopiz, WHOI Ben Gahagan, MA DMF Brad Chase, MA DMF John Sheppard, MA DMF Warren Winders, SRBT And many many others!Scientific support from many sourcesFigure from Reback et al. (2004) Mass DMF TR-16observations of many populations are neededWhether your working on salmon or herringVolunteer counts can helpVisual counts by volunteer groups are a means for obtaining data on a large number of runs Currently there are a large number of herring count efforts in Massachusetts  Photo: CRTHow long does it take an individual to reach a spawning pond? When during the day do fish move most? Do fish spend a significant period of time in freshwater? Interactions with specific barriers? Do some fish stop before the visual counting station?Counts alone cannot tell us about nuanced movement patternsRFID tags can tell us about nuanced movement patternsPhoto: Andy Nabreski - On the Water Magazine23 mm~$2 per tagTechnology advanced and user friendlyRFID tags can tell us about nuanced movement patternsPhoto: Andy Nabreski - On the Water Magazine23 mm~$2 per tagPotential role for volunteer groups here as wellExample of a volunteer based exploration of movement in a local MA watershedModerate length run (~5 km in length) Currently at least two ponds used for spawning (potentially  other areas as well) Lower Bog Tag SiteLower BogBelow Middle DikeBottom MD CulvertTop MD CulvetAbove Middle DikeFlax Tag SiteFlax PondCoon Pond18:0018:0218:0418:0618:0818:1018:12 −> TIME −><− DOWN STREAM <− MJ Gault 5    Alewife − Female − 28.6 cm  Tagged: 4 / 22Flax PondCoon. PondCape Cod BayPhoto: Chris Bartlett - Maine Sea Grant BluebackAlewifeRiver herringSUMMER/FALLL A K E S  A N D  S T R E A M S E S T U A R I E SN O R T H E A S T  C O N T I N E N TA L  S H E L FEggsJuvenilesLarvaeS PAW N I N GJuvenilesMature AdultsRipe AdultsA L O S I N E  L I F E  C Y C L EMultiple yearsS P R I N G FA L L / W I N T E RS PAW N I N GEcological importance• Link freshwater and marine ecosystems • Important prey species for predators in both environments • Canonical keystone predator in freshwater (shape zooplankton community) • Important to people as wellRecently river herring have been identified as species of concern0204060801960 1980 2000 YearRiver Herring Landings (millions of pounds) ALEWIFEBLUEBACKData: NMFS Fisheries Statistics DivisionAtlantic States Enact MoratoriaExample of a volunteer based exploration of movement in a local MA watershedLong history of herring harvest Historically a productive river Restoration plans in the pipeline Lower Bog Tag SiteLower BogBelow Middle DikeBottom MD CulvertTop MD CulvetAbove Middle DikeFlax Tag SiteFlax PondCoon Pond18:0018:0218:0418:0618:0818:1018:12 −> TIME −><− DOWN STREAM <− MJ Gault 5    Alewife − Female − 28.6 cm  Tagged: 4 / 22Flax PondCoon. PondCape Cod BayAntenna locationsAntennas placed in strategic position within the watershed One near tagging site and one at each pond (where spawning is thought to occur) Lower Bog Tag SiteLower BogBelow Middle DikeBottom MD CulvertTop MD CulvetAbove Middle DikeFlax Tag SiteFlax PondCoon Pond18:0018:0218:0418:0618:0818:1018:12 −> TIME −><− DOWN STREAM <− MJ Gault 5    Alewife − Female − 28.6 cm  Tagged: 4 / 22Lower bogFlax PondCoon. PondOther antennas in the watershed: 2015Lower Bog Tag SiteLower BogBelow Middle DikeBottom MD CulvertTop MD CulvetAbove Middle DikeFlax Tag SiteFlax PondCoon Pond18:0018:0218:0418:0618:0818:1018:12 −> TIME −><− DOWN STREAM <− MJ Gault 5    Alewife − Female − 28.6 cm  Tagged: 4 / 22 Middle dikeFlax PondCoon. PondBelowCulvert bottomCulvert topAboveHerring taggingTagged ~970 fish over 2 years (2015 & 2016) ~ 820 alewives & ~ 150 blueback Migration and outmigration studied Lower Bog Tag SiteLower BogBelow Middle DikeBottom MD CulvertTop MD CulvetAbove Middle DikeFlax Tag SiteFlax PondCoon Pond18:0018:0218:0418:0618:0818:1018:12 −> TIME −><− DOWN STREAM <− MJ Gault 5    Alewife − Female − 28.6 cm  Tagged: 4 / 22Flax PondCoon. PondLower bogTagging SiteHerring taggingTagged ~970 fish over 2 years (2015 & 2016) ~ 820 alewives & ~ 150 blueback Migration and outmigration studied Lower Bog Tag SiteLower BogBelow Middle DikeBottom MD CulvertTop MD CulvetAbove Middle DikeFlax Tag SiteFlax PondCoon Pond18:0018:0218:0418:0618:0818:1018:12 −> TIME −><− DOWN STREAM <− MJ Gault 5    Alewife − Female − 28.6 cm  Tagged: 4 / 22Flax PondCoon. PondLower bogTagging SitePhoto: Andrea Carter Falmouth EnterprisePhoto: Andrea Carter Falmouth EnterprisePhoto: Wendi BuesselerRaw 2015 CRT Visual CountsDateAntenna locations2015 CRT PIT Tagged Fish ~3,000 movementsEstimated ~ 70,000 fish2015Raw 2016 CRT Visual CountsDateAntenna locations2016 CRT PIT Tagged Fish ~5,000 movementsDown year — estimate forthcoming2016 Provisional dataIf we drill down to specific fishLower Bog Tag SiteLower BogBelow Middle DikeBottom MD CulvertTop MD CulvetAbove Middle DikeFlax Tag SiteFlax PondCoon PondMay 04May 11May 18May 25 −> TIME −><− DOWN STREAM <− Pearl Bomber Walker  Alewife − Male − 28 cm  Tagged: 5 / 1Lower Bog Tag SiteLower BogBelow Middle DikeBottom MD CulvertTop MD CulvetAbove Middle DikeFlax Tag SiteFlax PondCoon PondMay 04May 11May 18May 25 −> TIME −><− DOWN STREAM <− Pearl Bomber Walker  Alewife − Male − 28 cm  Tagged: 5 / 1Significant period spent in lakesResidency in spawning lake (days)Frequency2015: On average ~22 daysPotentially important for nutrient loading and life history50% - 100% > than previously thought2016: On average ~30 daysAnother feature if individual tracksLower Bog Tag SiteLower BogBelow Middle DikeBottom MD CulvertTop MD CulvetAbove Middle DikeFlax Tag SiteFlax PondCoon PondMay 04May 11May 18May 25 −> TIME −><− DOWN STREAM <− Pearl Bomber Walker  Alewife − Male − 28 cm  Tagged: 5 / 1Lower Bog Tag SiteLower BogBelow Middle DikeBottom MD CulvertTop MD CulvetAbove Middle DikeFlax Tag SiteFlax PondCoon PondMay 04May 11May 18May 25 −> TIME −><− DOWN STREAM <− Pearl Bomber Walker  Alewife − Male − 28 cm  Tagged: 5 / 1Some migrations were longerMigration length (hours)Frequency~50% in <10 hoursA second peak at ~ 24 hoursInteresting patterns suggest migration may not be continuousLonger tail esp. in 2016Fastest fish made it in ~ 5 hrsBut generally, migrations were quickMigration length (hours)Frequency~50% in <10 hoursA second peak at ~ 24 hoursInteresting patterns suggest migration may not be continuousFastest fish made it in ~ 5 hrsLonger tail esp. in 20160.0000.0250.0500.0750 3 6 9 12 15 18 21Hour of the day 0-23Frequency of distinct detectionsDayMorningHour of the dayTag detection frequencyPattern of crepuscular movement Bimodal patternSimilar pattern for all antennasSimilar pattern through the seasonPattern observed for both species & yearsEvening0.000.030.060.090 3 6 9 12 15 18 21Hour of the day 0-23Frequency of distinct detectionsDayMorningHour of the dayTag detection frequencyPattern of crepuscular movement Bimodal patternSimilar pattern for all antennasSimilar pattern through the seasonPattern observed for both species & yearsEveningPonds use was similar in both yearsLower Bog Tag SiteLower BogBelow Middle DikeBottom MD CulvertTop MD CulvetAbove Middle DikeFlax Tag SiteFlax PondCoon Pond18:0018:0218:0418:0618:0818:1018:12 −> TIME −><− DOWN STREAM <− MJ Gault 5    Alewife − Female − 28.6 cm  Tagged: 4 / 22Flax PondCoonamessett PondTagging site2015: 90% Coon & 10% Flax2016: 88% Coon & 12% FlaxPercents were similar among speciesBut many more alewives reached ponds85--90% of bluebacks remained in Lower Bog in both yearsFew fish made it to spawning pondsPattern initially though to be result of low detection rateBut observed for both years~ 45 - 50% of alewives~10 - 15% of of bluebackMany potential drivers…Summary CRT study• Movement primarily occurred under the cover of darkness, with peak periods of movement occurring immediately following sunset and just prior to sunrise • Movement through the river was typically rapid, with many fish covering the 5 km stream length in a single night (and as little as 5 hours) • Surprisingly few fish that entered the watershed made it to a spawning pond • Some repeat spawning, but limited between 2015 and 2016 for the Coonamessett • Evidence that existing culverts do delay migration, may impact survival or success • Most fish avoided the steeppass ladder on the way up, but utilized it on the way downSummary CRT study• Movement primarily occurred under the cover of darkness, with peak periods of movement occurring immediately following sunset and just prior to sunrise • Movement through the river was typically rapid, with many fish covering the 5 km stream length in a single night (and as little as 5 hours) • Surprisingly few fish that entered the watershed made it to a spawning pond • Some repeat spawning, but limited between 2015 and 2016 for the Coonamessett • Evidence that existing culverts do delay migration, may impact survival or success • Most fish avoided the steeppass ladder on the way up, but utilized it on the way downImplications and importanceGenerated valuable (novel) scientific data for relatively little $ More importantly generated enthusiasm for the river and restoration among those involved News stories in different media also raised awareness more broadly Our success suggests volunteer groups could play a larger role in enhancing our understanding of basic biologyQuestions?Alewives a little earlierFrequencyJulian day0306090120030609012020152016110 120 130DateFrequenbcy YearABSampling from taggingPhoto: Andrea Carter Falmouth EnterpriseA B050100050100fm20.0 22.5 25.0 27.5 30.0 20.0 22.5 25.0 27.5 30.0Total.Lengthcount speciesABAlewives and females largerFrequencyTotal length (cm)Alewife BluebackFemaleMalePhoto: Andrea Carter Falmouth EnterpriseSampling from taggingSome repeat spawning~ 25% of individuals seen leaving in 2015 returned in 2016Most arrived early in the seasonMoved rapidly upstreamTracks from last year suggest limited time in freshwater0123405010015020152016Apr 04 Apr 11 Apr 18 Apr 25 May 02 May 09DateFrequenbcy YearABRepeat spawning fishAll tagged fishFrequencyTotal length (cm)No link between size and movement patterns10203040102030402015201626 28 30Total Length (cm)Residence in Spawning Lake (Days)Genderfm1020304024 26 28 30Total Length (cm)Accending migration length (Hours)Genderfm MaleFemaleOther antennas in the watershed: 2015Lower Bog Tag SiteLower BogBelow Middle DikeBottom MD CulvertTop MD CulvetAbove Middle DikeFlax Tag SiteFlax PondCoon Pond18:0018:0218:0418:0618:0818:1018:12 −> TIME −><− DOWN STREAM <− MJ Gault 5    Alewife − Female − 28.6 cm  Tagged: 4 / 22 Middle dikeFlax PondCoon. PondBelowCulvert bottomCulvert topAboveLower Bog Tag SiteLower BogBelow Middle DikeBottom MD CulvertTop MD CulvetAbove Middle DikeFlax Tag SiteFlax PondCoon PondMay 15 00:00May 15 12:00May 16 00:00May 16 12:00May 17 00:00May 17 12:00 −> TIME −><− DOWN STREAM <− Unnamed_42888  Blueback − Male − 24 cm  Tagged: 5 / 14Culvert d layed many individualsCulvert delayed many individualsLower Bog Tag SiteLower BogBelow Middle DikeBottom MD CulvertTop MD CulvetAbove Middle DikeFlax Tag SiteFlax PondCoon PondMay 15 06:00May 15 12:00May 15 18:00May 16 00:00May 16 06:00May 16 12:00May 16 18:00 −> TIME −><− DOWN STREAM <− Unnamed_40347  Blueback − Female − 24 cm  Tagged: 5 / 15Preliminary metric for a delay# Detections  per individual (mean + 95% CI)Middle dike culvert antennaBelowBottom TopBelowCulvert bottomCulvert top1.62.02.4B1 B2 B3 Culvert antenna# Detections LocationB1B2B3Other antennas in the watershed: 2016Lower Bog Tag SiteLower BogBelow Middle DikeBottom MD CulvertTop MD CulvetAbove Middle DikeFlax Tag SiteFlax PondCoon Pond18:0018:0218:0418:0618:0818:1018:12 −> TIME −><− DOWN STREAM <− MJ Gault 5    Alewife − Female − 28.6 cm  Tagged: 4 / 22 Pond 14 BypassFlax PondCoon. PondBypassFish utilized steeppass later~60% alewives upstream via bypass~30% blueback upstream via bypassChanging flow levels & preference may play a role> 95% out migrating fish used steep passLower Bog Tag SiteLower BogBelow Middle DikeBottom MD CulvertTop MD CulvetAbove Middle DikeFlax Tag SiteFlax PondCoon Pond18:0018:0218:0418:0618:0818:1018:12 −> TIME −><− DOWN STREAM <− MJ Gault 5    Alewife − Female − 28.6 cm  Tagged: 4 / 22 Pond 14 BypassFlax PondCoon. PondBypass

Case Studies II: Citizen Science on the Move: Detailing the Spawning Migrations of Alewife and Blueback Herring in a Coastal Massachusetts Watershed

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Case Studies II: Citizen Science on the Move: Detailing the Spawning Migrations of Alewife and Blueback Herring in a Coastal Massachusetts Watershed

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