LE3 .A278 2011

2011

Avery, Trevor

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Biology

Biology

American Eels are a species of “Special Concern” as assessed by the Committee on Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). If the Government of Canada accepts this assessment and lists American Eels under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) as such, then a management plan for the species and its habitat must be prepared. The objective of the management plan is to conserve the species and prevent it from becoming “threatened” or “endangered”. The purpose of this research is to gain a better understanding of habitat use by American Eels and to estimate their population size in a pristine watershed in Nova Scotia as a baseline for a long-term monitoring program. Twenty-nine baited eel pots were set around the near-shore waters of Oakland Lake in various habitats. Habitats were categorized based on depth, topography, and bottom composition. Captured eels were tagged using a Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag and their capture area recorded. In 2009, a total of 91 eels were caught over 15 days of fishing between 19 July and 21 August with 67 total recaptures. In 2010, a total 249 eels were caught over 34 days of fishing between 21 May and 24 August with 130 total recaptures. In 2010, the number of eels caught tended to be fewer at the end of the season in comparison to the beginning. It was also found that few recaptured eels returned to the same trap. Gaining a better understanding of growth patterns and habitat use will enable conservation of habitat, and provide valuable information to help prevent further declines in American Eel populations.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:779