Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

A total of 259 sauger (Stizostedion canadense) was tagged and released downstream of Bull Run Steam Plant during the winters of 1974-75 and 1976. Gill nets and electrofishing gear were used to recapture sauger that moved into the discharge basin or past the plant. Over the study period 7 sauger were recaptured upstream from the discharge; 3 of these had moved past the plant while it was continuously operating. Fourteen sauger were caught in the discharge. The thermal plume from Bull Run Steam Plant had no significant effect on the movement of sauger.

Creel surveys were conducted at TVA's Gallatin, Kingston, and John Sevier Steam Plant discharge basins from March 1975 through May 1976. The highest period of angler use at all plants occurred between April and June. Peak harvest and pressure in the 3 discharge basins were significantly related, and high periods usually occurred later in the year than has been reported from other areas. At least 18 species were found in the combined creel from the 3 plants, and species diversity was greatest during the warm months. Three species, channel catfish (lctalurus punctatus), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), and white bass (Morone chrysops), comprised over 50% of the combined creel. Angler harvest remained uncommonly high from March through August with lowest levels observed in the winter months. The overall angler catch per hour (c/h) was 0.5 fish while the highest monthly c/h recorded was 2.3 at John Sevier in May 1975.

Distribution of fish in the heavily impounded Tennessee and Cumberland River systems shows definite longitudinal zonation similar to that in nonimpounded river systems. Ten of 11 physical variables examined were highly correlated with one another, reflecting the complex of conditions accompanying changes from storage reservoirs in upper elevations to mainstream reservoirs in the lowlands. Elevation was the variable most highly correlated with the number of species. Cluster analysis indicated 4 associations of reservoirs: lower mainstream, upper mainstream and large storage, upper Holston, and Blue Ridge.

A graphical method of illustrating dominance in fish communities is presented. This procedure incorporates both numeric abundance and frequency of occurrence data and illustrates the relative dominance of each species.

The fishery for rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) in the Bull Shoals tailwater has developed as a seasonal boat fishery which in peak years provides more than 250,000 angler days of fishing, and a catch of more than 750,000 trout. Use was concentrated along the upstream one-third (48 km) of the tailwater in 1971-73, where about 60 percent ot the total fisherman effort, 50 percent of the catch, and 75 peroent of the total guided fishing occurred. Since many anglers traveled long distances, rented boats and motors, and employed guides to fish the tailwater, the economic value of the fishery was high. As in most fisheries in cold tailwaters in the South, erratic patterns of water release strongly influenced fisherman use and harvest. During 1971 and 1972, y,ears of below average water release, fishermen caught about 95 percent of the trout stocked.

Larval spotted seatrout (Cymoscion nebulosus) grew faster on 1 and 2 day prefed brine shrimp (Artemia salina) nauplii than fish fed newly-hatched nauplii. Fish growth and survival were reduced when 3 and 4 day pref.ed, as compared with newlyhatched nauplii were offered. Proximate analysis and calorimetry demonstrated the occurrence of a temporal decline in the nutritional value of both fed and unfed brine shrimp nauplii. At the relatively low levels of algal cell concentration available for prefeeding brine shrimp, this study indicates that I day old unfed nauplii are nutritionally equal to algae prefed nauplii as a food source for larval spotted seatrout. One day old brine shrimp nauplii are a better food organism for larval spotted seatrout 12 to 21 days of age than newly-hatched nauplii because of the larger size of the former.

The diets of r,edbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus) and spotted sucker (Minytrema melanops) in the Satilla River, Georgia, were shown to be quantitatively different using Spearman rank correlation coefficients. The index of overlap of Pianka by number and weight showed considerable overlap in the diet during the fall. Chironomids were the main food component contributing to this overlap. The index of electivity of Ivlev indicated moderate to high selectivity by both species for chironomids in the winter, spring, and summer and some selectivity in the fall. The diet overlap between the 2 species was not considered to be a problem.

Methandrostenolone was not effective in promoting growth in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) at the 2.5 mg/kg of body weight/day dosage level. There were no significant differences (.05 level) in treated and untreated fish with respect to total weight gain, percent crude protein, and moisture content of the Hesh. No differences were observed in gross morphology, liver to body weight ratios, or microscopic examination of liver sections. However, after approximately 3 to 4 wks in a distilled water bath, the hemotoxylin/eosin stain had cleared only from liver sections of the catfish receiving the steroid.

We monitored fish populations in a southwest Florida cypress (Taxodium distichum) strand system through an annual wet season-dry season cycle. Populations increased from zero when the site was inundated to densities of 3-8 fish m2 and biomass of .3-.4 g/m2 in late wet season. Two months after drydown began, fish became concentrated. In wet prairie and "pond" cypress habitats concentration continued until the sites went dry, but "bald" cypress populations reached high densities early, then stabilized until just prior to complete drydown, when they decreased drastically. Wet season populations were probably controlled by hydrologic factors, but predation was important in determining dry season density, biomass, and species composition.

Individual heat resistance times were determined in 180 min experiments during June 1974 through September 1975 for 8 species of crustaceans and 47 fishes taken directly from the intake canal of the P. H. Robinson Generating Station, Bacliff, Texas. Indi· vidual r,esistance times increased with an increase in capture temperature and with a decrease in test temperature. June-September is the most thermally critical period of the year for animals transported by the power plant from intake water and exposed to hot discharge effluent. During the rest of the year, nearly all organisms survived 3 h at temperatures higher than average discharge canal temperature.

This paper outlines procedures used in obtaining approval of a management program. After intense inter-division communication and cooperation, field personnel of the Fisheries, Law Enforcement, and Information-Education Divisions of the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission presented an outline ofthis controversial plan to respective division chiefs for review and refinement. The program was presented to the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission by the supervisory staff for approval. Local civic, conservation, and governmental bodies were contacted by field level personnel to provide general concepts ofthe program. Public meetings were held to assess public reaction to the plan. After economic analysis indicated feasibility of the program, enabling legislation was obtained to provide funds and additional personnel to supervise the program.

Through many years of participation, I have found that hunting and trapping furbearers offers some of the finest sport in the field of outdoor recreation. It can be enjoyed by almost any interested person. The resulting rewards are an invigorated spirit, mind and body and, at times, a handsome economic supplement. Consequently, all efforts should be directed to refine the taking offurbearers in the most ethical manner in order to enhance and perpetuate the fascinating sport.

Problems in communicating research results by means of professional meetings and conferences in the field ofwildlife science and management are discussed. Emphasis of discussion is placed on purpose and organization of meetings, facilitation of more rapid communication and use of research results, and alternate means of conducting meetings.

A state 4-H wildlife food plot contest entitled F.A.C.E. (Food And Cover Establishment) For Wildlife was started in Tennessee in 1972. The contest involves 4-H members planting perennial food and cover plots with 5 lb. seed packets furnished free by the Wildlife Resources Agency. The 4-H'ers are required to keep accurate records on their plots. Plots are judged at the county level by the county Extension Agent and the Wildlife Officer, at the regional level by the WRA Regional Farm Game Biologist and one other person from another agency, and at the state level by the Extension Wildlife Specialist and the WRA State Farm Game Biologist. Awards include ribbons, shoulder patches, and conservation magazine subscriptions at the county level, cash at the regional level, and cash and trophies at the state level. Data concerning the value of food plots to wildlife were gathered during judging, and from records kept by 4-H'ers.

The increasing need for a "specialized" Wildlife Officer to insure compliance with the multitude of complex State and Federal laws governing the exhibition, importation, exportation, propagation, and sale of wildlife and fresh water fish has prompted the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission to establish the Wildlife Inspections Section. The regulation of these activities continues to pose obstacles to most state conservation agencies; therefore, this paper will identify Florida's methodology toward resolution of these issues through personnel and program specialization.

Law enforcement research is needed to provide better tools for detecting and prosecuting game law violations.

In spite ofthe fact that wild animal trapping has been an activity ofman since the dawn of civilization it has recently become the subject of heated and emotional controversy. This paper includes a brief history of the role that trapping has played in exploring and settling the wilderness areas ofAmerica. In addition, many ofthe present day problems and philosophies revolving around the capture of fur-bearing animals for profit are discussed. A summary of the Alabama Game and Fish Division's outlook on trapping- as a tool of wild animal management and protection is included, with some figures and statistics on furcatchers' license sales and trapping violations since 1919. The main point of view expressed in the paper is that fur-bearing animals are a natural resource that must be used and not wasted. Surplus animal populations have to be harvested in order to maintain a balance in today's delicate ecosystem.

The purpose of this paper is to show the results and the impact of the Texas Shrimp Conservation Act and the enforcement of shrimp laws in Texas. Enacted in 1959, it provides for open and closed seasons, sizes of shrimp, trawl and door sizes, licenses needed, and for the patrol and enforcement of the Act. It provides that all salt waters in Texas, wherever shrimp were found, would be patrolled both by aircraft and boat. This p!iper shows some ofthe problems experienced in the patrol activity, the type of boats and aircraft used, enforcement procedures and the results of these patrol activities on the Texas Coast from the year 1959 thru 1977.

A methodology for deciding how to deploy law enforcement personnel is proposed. A workload model is used. The methodology is consistent with the concept of management by objectives (MBO) and could serve as a focal point for achieving improved effectiveness in an enforcement division. Use of this model may require the creation of a statewide information system describing the geographical distribution of wildlife agent workload. Although primarily envisioned as an administrative decision aid at the statewide scale, the workload model could be integrated into deployment planning at the district and possibly county level. Major limitations of the model are that it is deterministic and assumes linear relationships among variables. Strategies developed by its application, however, would be superior to political criteria or pure administrative discretion.