Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

We investigated mortality of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) within a length range of 229-762 mm total length (TL), caught with artificial lures with a single hook, artificial lures with treble hook(s), and live bait with a single hook. Striped bass (N = 307) were caught during a 2-year period in Lake Texoma starting June 1989 and concluding June 1991. Captured fish were measured, fin-punched for identification, and transported to a net pen in the lake and held 72 hours. Overall, hooking mortality was 38%. Hooking mortality was significantly (P < 0.05) related to length, season, and bait type. There was a direct relationship between fish length and hooking mortality, and a predictive model for hooking mortality was developed. Hooking mortality was higher in spring (69%) and summer (47%) than in fall (8%) and winter (13%). Hooking mortality (58%) was significantly higher when live bait was used.

Placement of dredged rock material (90% < 5 cm in diameter) on degraded sand disposal sites in the Apalachicola River, Florida, to enhance sportfish populations was evaluated between July 1988 and November 1989. Newly created rock habitats and training dikes yielded significantly greater (P < 0.05) sportfish catch per unit effort (CPUE) than did sand disposal sites. Water velocity, rock size, water depth, and site orientation with respect to river flow were more important in determining sportfish abundance than rock site configuration. Mean macroinvertebrate densities and number of taxa collected at rock relocation sites were greater than values previously reported for sand disposal sites.

In-net mortality of spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), and black drum (Pogonias cromis) caught in gill nets with 7.6,10.2, 12.7, and 15.2 cm stretch mesh was determined in Texas bays during 1985-87. Spotted seatrout had greatest mortality (74%) followed by red drum (55%) and black drum (28%). For each species, in-net mortality was significantly different among meshes, among bays and between seasons. Among these 3 factors, mesh size was the most important in predicting mortality variation. In-net mortality was generally inversely related to mesh size, was higher in spring than fall, and varied without pattern among bays. Limiting the use of monofilament gill nets would prevent excess mortality of spotted seatrout and red drum caught incidental to targeted black drum.

This report reviews the environmental and social concerns associated with net pen aquaculture in coastal waters, identifies potentially significant impacts of operations in the northern Gulf of Mexico, and proposes site selection and planning guidelines. There are 5 major areas of potential environmental concern: water quality alterations and their consequences, sedimentation and benthic effects, chemical usage, disease transmission, and escaped fish (exotic species, genetic impacts). Social concerns focus on conflicts between net pen operations and navigation interests, commercial fishermen, recreational users, waterfront property owners, and conservation interests. Environmental impacts are minimized by selecting sites with adequate water exchange and waste assimilation capacity. Zoning to exclude or limit aquaculture (facility size, spacing, materials, feed type, etc.) in waters important to traditional marine resource user groups has been successful in reducing conflicts.

Six different nest substrates, including combinations of rock, gravel, and black fibrous synthetic spawning mats, were evaluated for the raceway spawning of Florida largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides floridanus). Sixty-nine of the 74 spawns (93%) were deposited on fibrous spawning mats. Raceway spawning on fibrous mats enabled the intensification of Florida largemouth bass culture.

Striped bass inhabiting Lake Keystone, Oklahoma, spawn in a 150-km long reach of the Arkansas River below Kaw Dam. We sampled ichthyoplankton in this reach from mid-March through May in 1987 and 1988 to determine when and where striped bass spawning occurred. Collections were made twice weekly with conical plankton nets fished just below the surface from 4 bridges and by boat in the Kaw Dam tailwater. Spawning was initiated in mid-April of both years at water temperatures of 11.8°-14.9° C, peaked in late April to early May at temperatures of 15.0°-22.3° C and terminated in mid-May when water temperatures were 25.3°-27.5° C. Peak densities of striped bass eggs generally increased with distance (to about 50 km) from Kaw Dam. Striped bass spawning was concentrated near the confluence of the Salt Fork and Arkansas rivers, where discharges and water temperatures increased abruptly.

Muscle proteins were isolated from 7 western Atlantic and 10 Pacific Ocean Penaeus species encompassing 6 subgenera utilizing isoelectric focusing. Protein banding patterns of individuals from the 17 species were distinguishable. A high resolution gradient of pH 4.5-5 was required to separate complex banding patterns and facilitate identification among species possessing similar banding patterns. Most species were characterized by the presence of 2-6 major protein bands in the pH 4.62-4.95 range. Densitometric analysis provided a graphic representation of differences in band migration, number, and intensity among the 17 Penaeus species. Due to the large number of protein bands and their proximity to each other, reference densitometric tracings were necessary to consistently distinguish all species. General protein patterns observed in this study appeared to substantiate recent systematic reclassifications within the genus Penaeus.

Relative abundance of Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) was monitored before, during, and after a record flood in a Texas estuary. Salinities were reduced to <5 ppt over a large portion of the estuary for 4 months. Eastern oyster mortality was near 100%. Spat set was documented 9 months after flooding ceased and the oyster population had recovered to preflood levels 15 months later, 25 months after flooding ceased. A Ricker recruitment curve was fitted to the spawner-recruit data and explained 20.8% of the variation in number of spat.

Thirteen Oklahoma reservoirs (<120 ha) containing northern largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides salmoides) populations were stocked with Florida largemouth bass (M. s. floridanus) for 3 years. Stocked and native fish were identified phenotypically by electrophoresis. Stocked fish made up an average of 15% of each year class in the fall at age 0, but the mean proportion declined to 5% by the following spring. Relative overwinter survival to age 1 averaged 25%. Florida largemouth bass were significantly longer at age 0 and age 1 than the northern subspecies but had significantly lower mean relative weights. Survival, mean length, and mean relative weight of Florida phenotypes were lowest in study lakes in the northern and western portions of Oklahoma, indicating that climatic factors were very influential. A recommendation was made to discontinue Florida largemouth bass stockings in Oklahoma north of a diagonal boundary from southwest to northeast.

Establishment of a trophy (2500 mm TL) rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, put, grow, and take fishery was evaluated with tag rewards and creel surveys. Over 310,000 catchable rainbow trout were stocked in Richard B. Russell Reservoir from 1988 to 1991. A $5.00 reward was offered for return of tags from 28,000 trout. Yearly tag returns ranged from 9.8% to 2.6%. Average tag reporting rate was 42% with a high of 50% and a low of 37%. Tag loss was estimated at 16.6% in 1991. About 60% of tags returned were captured within 14 days after stocking and an additional 19% between 61 and 210 days after stocking. Creel surveys since 1988 indicated an increase in the weight of trout harvested the first 3 years before a decline in the last year. Growth of trout within the year of stocking approached 150 mm; carryover exceeded 250 mm. Low dissolved oxygen levels in 1990 and 1991, resulting from Lake Hartwell releases, appeared to limit the development of the trophy fishery.

The establishment of black bass (Micropterus sp.) size restrictions on some Louisiana lakes prompted a study to determine the catch and mortality rates of unattended yo-yos and triggers. From 15 November 1991 to 11 March 1992 gears were fished in close proximity in 5 impoundments a total of 825 nights per gear. The catch rate for all species was 0.168 fish/yo-yo night and 0.080 fish/trigger night. Largemouth bass (M. salmoides) catch rates were 0.005 fish/yo-yo night and 0.002 fish/trigger night. Mortality of all fish caught on unattended yo-yos and unattended triggers was 61% and 7%, respectively. Four largemouth bass were caught on unattended yo-yos; all died. Two were caught on unattended triggers; both survived. The results of this study indicate that there is no biological reason to place restrictions on unattended yo-yos or unattended triggers.

Social and economic data comparing reef fish and non-reef fish anglers from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's routine on-site creel intercept surveys and annual statewide mail survey were summarized. Reef fish anglers differ significantly from non-reef fish anglers in that they report being more consumptive-oriented in their fishing motivations, spending less per trip and less on durable goods, and rate themselves lower in their fishing skills compared to their peers. Both user groups support catch and release areas while opposing saltwater stocking, although reef fish anglers indicate less support for size limits and gear restrictions as management tools. This study indicates that reef fish and non-reef fish anglers should be considered independently by fishery managers contemplating regulatory changes affecting these fisheries. Additional work is needed to determine whether there are more distinguishable subgroups within the reef fish and non-reef fish angler groups.

In response to new state mandates and increasing concerns regarding the risks and seriousness of exposure to the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses, the Law Enforcement Division of Texas Parks and Wildlife drafted an AIDS/Hepatitis B policy and instituted an ongoing training program. The training program is designed specifically for game wardens and equips them with the knowledge, skills, and equipment to respond to this growing concern. The goals of the program are to (1) increase awareness about AIDS and Hepatitis B transmission, (2) lay out exposure prevention strategies for occupational and personal lifestyles, (3) and address legal issues unique to the law enforcement profession. Agencies involved in law enforcement should begin providing education and training based on sound current medical findings.

The glorification of a poacher and the ingrained antagonism toward game laws and their enforcement has continued since early European immigration to North America. Effective wildlife law enforcement is a complicated discipline requiring selfmotivated compliance which will eventually change social attitudes and behavior regarding natural resource laws. A compliance philosophy evolved in Louisiana after implementing the results of research involving conservation officers, hunters, and violators. This team approach involves law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, probation officers, and convicted violators supported by mass media coverage of major poacher apprehensions and prosecutions. During a 5-year period, compliance with waterfowl regulations in Louisiana improved substantially. A video program entitled, "Innovative sentencing: A key to compliance with wildlife and fisheries laws," was produced and presented with this paper.

These comments are suggested in order to cause an awareness and to deal with problems generated by activistic activities in opposition to lawful hunting and trapping activities.

Effective 31 December 1990, the sale of wild-caught red drum was banned in the state of Texas. Practical enforcement of this legislation required the use of a technique that could unambiguously discriminate between wild and farm-raised fish. Fatty acid profiles were established for wild red drum from 4 major Texas bay systems as well as from 2 aquaculture ventures to determine if this technique could be a useful enforcement tool. Results indicate that fatty acid compositions, especially levels of linoleic acid (18:2n-6) and arachidonic acid (20:4n-6), can be useful to distinguish between wild and cultured red drum. The ability to determine the origin of fish greatly enhances the enforcement of legislation designed to protect fisheries resources.

About the same number of antlerless deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were harvested illegally as were harvested legally during bucks-only days on public land. A large percentage of hunters apparently shoot first and take only legally harvested deer to mandatory check stations. I estimated that 48.2% of hunters were predisposed to noncompliance with bucks-only regulations.

Alabama grade school teachers were surveyed to determine (1) attitudes toward aquatic resource education, (2) experience and training in aquatic resource education, (3) receptivity towards various potential aquatic curricula, and (4) preferences for assorted aquatic teaching materials. In general, Alabama kindergarten through fourth grade teachers had very little formal training in either natural resource education or aquatic natural resources in particular; however, they recognized the importance of both topics, and the majority felt strongly that additional materials and curricula topics in the area should be provided. Most reported that their students had limited access to nature and natural resource educational experiences outside the classroom. Hence classroom materials would provide the major source of information for learning about aquatic natural resources.

With the rapid decline of fish and wildlife habitat and rampant population growth, we are losing the fight for fish and wildlife, and fish and wildlife are losing habitat. The nation's 350,000 churches are an uncultivated key to helping solve our habitat and environmental crisis. Conservation and stewardship responsibilities are scriptural in the western religious doctrine, and churches have had this responsibility from the beginning. No other body is as large nor has the inherent power to excite the conscience into renewed activity on behalf of wildlife and the earth as this potential source.

We examined the usefulness of condition profiles, incorporating postmortem morphologic, physiologic, and dietary indices from fall-harvested deer and seasonal fecal indices of diet quality, for evaluating differences in habitat quality between adjacent populations of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). This study was conducted on East Range (4.5% of 12,000 ha cultivated) and West Range (0.8% of 18,000 ha cultivated), Fort Sill Military Reservation, southwestern Oklahoma, from November 1987 to August 1989. Analysis of postmortem blood and digesta samples revealed that deer collected from East Range consumed higher quality diets than deer from West Range, where cultivation was lower. Seasonal analyses of fecal nitrogen and cell-wall constituents supported observed differences in postmortemsamples. Our study indicates that morphological indices were not sensitive to the apparent differences in habitat quality between the 2 ranges.