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Investigation of downstream eel migration
Part of a large-scale multi-year study examining the effect of a hydroelectric dam on the movement patterns of the American eel (Anguilla rostrata), ABI was charged with the investigation of technologies and techniques for monitoring the movements and behavior of downstream migrants. Theoretical and practical equipment evaluations suggested that acoustic telemetry was the most viable technology and an adaptive pilot study was initiated where captured eels were maintained in a holding facility managed by ABI, surgically implanted with acoustic transmitters and released. Spanning a period of over three months, continuous manual tracking was conducted first for a 10 day period with 3 subsequent releases where 12 hour night tracking was conducted. Tracking boats were equipped with depth sounding equipment, differential GPS receivers/loggers and were manned by a team of telemetry technicians.
In addition to the extensive manual tracking of eels carried out, several radio and acoustic autonomous monitoring stations were installed at various points in the study area requiring the secure positioning of shore facilities as well as the mooring sub-surface equipment. Maintenance requirements for some of the equipment necessitated the development of a novel mooring configuration providing both security and accessibility.
A comprehensive report was produced which included the presentation of collected data using a GIS system (ARC/INFO), and a critical evaluation of the utility of the technology in monitoring of the movements and behavior of downstream migrant eels was presented.
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