Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

During 1963 a series of experiments was conducted to determine the effect of dynamite on fish populations. One set of these experiments consisted of placing various species of fish in cylindrical wire baskets which were suspended vertically in water ranging from six to 15 feet in depth. A dynamite charge, consisting of one stick of 60% ditching dynamite, was placed at a point 10 feet from the nearest line of baskets and was detonated. Nine experiments were conducted using this arrangement of baskets in various depths of water with the dynamite charges ranging in depth from 2.5 feet below the surface to one foot from the bottom. The results of these experiments indicated the effective killing range of the dynamite charge and the most desirable depth at which to set the charge. From these tests it was found that some fish were killed up to a distance of 50 feet from the charge and that the greatest number of kills occurred when the charge was placed 2.5 feet below the surface.

In a food-habits study of young largemouth bass at the National Fish Hatchery, Marion, Alabama, midges were found to comprise 80 to 90 percent of the total food volume in fish from 25 to 55 millimeters in length. Since midges were found to be such an abundant food item in the diet of these fish, attempts were made to increase the midge crop by providing additional surface area in the pond for attachment. It was found that ponds having a dominant blue-green algae bloom (Anacystis spp. and Anabaena spp.) produced more midges than ponds having a dominant green algae bloom (Oocystis spp., Chlarella spp., anti Coelustrum spp.). Black polyethylene sheets, lh-inch masonite board, and 14-inch cement-asbestos board, plus concrete and clay-tile building blocks were oriented in different positions in a pond to determine which material and position were most productive. The masonite board proved to produce the most midges. Polyethylene sheet was next most productive.

The prevalence of parasitic epidemics is dependant, to a large extent, upon the density of the host population. Through the application of recent research, up to 2,400 pounds of channel catfish can be produced per acre of water, thus placing their commercial culture on a basis comparable to production of other farm animals. Since fish are confined to a limited environment in ponds without flowing water, they are surrounded by their own metabolic wastes throughout the production period. Such an environment is ideal for the propagation and development of parasitic populations. The great majority of epidemics are caused by external protozoan and helminth parasites that are transferred by contact and have simple life cycles. The species causing epidemics in channel catfish production ponds in Alabama are presented in Table I.

Data is presented on 15 small impoundments ranging from two acres to 500 acres in size where different fishery management techniques l This work was undertaken with Federal Aid to Fish Restoration Funds under Dlngell. fohnson Project F-I1-R, Pond Management Evaluations. 347 were utilized in conjunction with winter drawdowns. All ponds were lowered for approximately 80 days between October 1 and January 15.

Increased population and industrial pressures have focused attention on the need for an accelerated and effective program to prevent and control pollution-caused fish kills in Tennessee waters. A training program to facilitate more rapid and accurate determination of the extent, severity, and probable cause or causes has been developed by the Tennessee Game and Fish Commission. Game and Fish Officers are located in each of Tennessee's 95 counties, and they comprise a readily available source of manpower to implement the program. The Officers must be specially trained in fish welfare so that they will react quickly and efficiently in the event of a fish kill. A training program and manual for investigation of pollution and fish kills for Game and Fish Officers have been developed. All Officers in Tennessee have completed the first two-day pollution school of a proposed series of courses.