Conservation Fisheries, Inc.

Newsletter #27 April 2005

Spring 2005 update!

There is really quite a bit going on for us right now! Spring has sprung and love is in the air (or water in our case). We have been advancing the hatchery daylength and now that water temperatures have also begun to warm, several species are starting to spawn. One of the more exciting spawnings has been our blotchside logperch, Percina burtoni. These were collected as juveniles last fall. They have really grown over the winter and early this spring. Now, five of the six collected are clearly adults. Of these, two are males and three are females. From all indications, the fish were young of the year when collected. The largest males are now approximately 150mm TL! These may be year old fish! Certainly no more than two.

Blotchside logperch

Eggs were siphoned from the sand in the 135 gallon tank where they are housed. The eggs are very large, just over 2mm. The hatchlings are a bit over 8mm! These guys have a very large, elongated yolk sac and spend quite a long time resting on the substrate before swimming. We have lost most of the first batch (not uncommon for early spawns). The second batch looks good so far. These early spawnings have been relatively small (only ~20 good eggs collected this time). Hopefully, later spawns will increase in number. We will keep you posted on the progress of these rare logperch. There are several places under consideration as potential reintroduction sites. These options will be discussed with federal and state agencies as well as academics (there are genetic considerations to take into account).

One very exciting piece of news this month! The long awaited Non-essential Experimental Population ruling for Shoal Creek has finally been signed. Shoal Creek is a tributary of the lower bend of the Tennessee in southern Tennessee and northern Alabama. It was known to harbor populations of the federally endangered boulder darter and threatened spotfin chub. Neither has been seen in Shoal Creek since the 1880s! Shoal Creek had suffered from pollution, particularly inadequate wastewater treatment in towns upstream. The lower end of the stream has also been impounded. CFI has been propagating boulder darters for years to augment (apparently) declining populations in the Elk River. It has taken approximately five years from the time this experimental population was proposed to the final ruling. We are also propagating spotfin chubs for reintroductions into the Tellico River, however, these are upper Little Tennessee river stock. It has been determined that the most appropriate stock for reintroduction into Shoal Creek would be from the Emory/Obed Rivers. When funding becomes available, we hope to start production of these fish to stock into Shoal Creek. The habitat looks great for both species and we are excited to be a part of this project! Many people in various agencies have worked hard to see that this ruling moved forward through the various channels. We have had funding from several sources on this project, but would like to especially thank International Paper for their support! It is on their property that the first releases are to be made. Next month (May 2005) boulder darters will be swimming in Shoal Creek for the first time in over 100 years!

Boulder darter, Etheostoma wapiti

A couple more items for this month (I'll save some stuff for next month!). We were pleased to attend the recent Association of Southeastern Biologists meeting in Alabama where our former major professor and great friend David Etnier received the Association's Meritorious Teaching Award! It was quite a coup getting Ets to go to the meeting (let alone the banquet) where he would be receiving the award. Ask me sometime! But, we spent a beautiful day putting around the countryside in northern Alabama and Mississippi looking for caddisflies! Just like old times....thanks Ets!

Speaking of awards, Pat and I have been informed that we will be receiving an award from the U. S. Forest Service. It is the "Rise to the Future"  Collaborative Aquatic Resource Stewardship award. This award will be presented in Washington D. C. in June. We have been informed that we must wear suits! Thanks to those that nominated us and sent letters of support!  All of our work is the result of many, many individuals and they all deserve a big pat on the back!

Last thing...I promise! We now have the capability to accept online donations! The link is on our Home Page. I would like to thank Robert Rice and Jim Smith of the Native Fish Conservancy for helping me with this!

Very soon now, we will be offering CFI t-shirts. We know everyone will want one!

Thanks for the continued interest. As always, feel free to contact me with questions or comments!

J. R. Shute