Use of a novel acoustic ‘listening’ method for detecting pump impellor strike on downstream migrating eels
B. O. David
A E , M. Lake A , M. K. Pine B C , J. Smith A and J. A. T. Boubée D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Waikato Regional Council, Private Bag 3038, Waikato Mail Centre, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.
B Department of Biology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada.
C Styles Group Underwater Acoustics, PO Box 37857, Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand.
D Vaipuhi, 803A Bruntwood Road, RD 3, Hamilton 3283, New Zealand.
E Corresponding author. Email: bruno.david@waikatoregion.govt.nz
Marine and Freshwater Research 71(6) 571-582 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF19205
Submitted: 4 June 2019 Accepted: 16 July 2019 Published: 13 September 2019
Abstract
Fish mortality through floodplain pumping stations is a recognised global issue, but few studies have quantified the degree of mortality that occurs during pumping. We investigated the potential of passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) as a tool to record sounds made by fish and their likely mortality as they passed through pumps during downstream migration. The acoustic properties made by freshly killed eels that were fed through an existing pump station were compared to those made by goldfish (Carassius auratus). Processing and analysis of acoustic data enabled the development of an ‘eel-specific’ algorithm for detecting eels passing through the pumping station. The duration of sound and filtered intensity were useful characteristics enabling reliable separation of the two fish species. The algorithm was then applied retrospectively to soundscape recordings obtained during a typical eel migration period at the test site. Although the tool is unlikely to be able to differentiate the sound of goldfish from ‘other’ potential sounds of short duration (e.g. sticks), differentiating eels from other sounds was demonstrated. We conclude that this tool has considerable potential for improving the understanding of the timing of eel migrations and likely mortality through pumping stations. The tool may also be used to inform the development of both remote and manual pump management options for reducing pump-related eel mortality.
Additional keywords: flood plains, passive acoustic monitoring, pumping stations, sound.
References
Auerswald, K., Moyle, P., Seibert, S. P., and Geist, J. (2019). HESS opinions: socio-economic and ecological trade-offs of flood management – benefits of a transdisciplinary approach. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences 23, 1035–1044.| HESS opinions: socio-economic and ecological trade-offs of flood management – benefits of a transdisciplinary approach.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bayley, P. B. (1995). Understanding large river floodplain ecosystems. Bioscience 45, 153–158.
| Understanding large river floodplain ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bierschenk, B. M., Pander, J., Mueller, M., and Geist, J. (2019). Fish injury and mortality at pumping stations: a comparison of conventional and fish-friendly pumps. Marine and Freshwater Research 70, 449–458.
| Fish injury and mortality at pumping stations: a comparison of conventional and fish-friendly pumps.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Blann, K. L., Anderson, J. L., Sands, J. R., and Vondracek, B. (2009). Effects of agricultural drainage on aquatic ecosystems: a review. Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology 39, 909–1001.
| Effects of agricultural drainage on aquatic ecosystems: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bolland, J. D., Murphy, L. A., Stanford, R. J., Angelopoulos, N. V., Baker, N. J., Wright, R. M., Reeds, J. D., and Cowx, I. G. (2019). Direct and indirect impacts of pumping station operation on downstream migration of critically endangered European eel. Fisheries Management and Ecology 26, 76–85.
| Direct and indirect impacts of pumping station operation on downstream migration of critically endangered European eel.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Boubée, J. A. (2017). Eel passage at the Orchard Rd pump station – 2017. Report prepared for Waikato Regional Council, Number 2017001, Vaipuhi Consulting, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Boubée, J. A., Mitchell, C. P., Chisnall, B. L., West, D. W., Bowman, E. J., and Haro, A. (2001). Factors regulating the downstream migration of mature eels (Anguilla spp.) at Aniwhenua Dam, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 35, 121–134.
| Factors regulating the downstream migration of mature eels (Anguilla spp.) at Aniwhenua Dam, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Boys, C. A., Pflugrath, B. D., Mueller, M., Pander, J., Deng Zhiqun, D., and Geist, J. (2018). Physical and hydraulic forces experienced by fish passing through three different low-head hydropower turbines. Marine and Freshwater Research 69, 1934–1944.
| Physical and hydraulic forces experienced by fish passing through three different low-head hydropower turbines.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Burgess, O. T., Pine, W. E., and Walsh, S. J. (2013). Importance of floodplain connectivity to fish populations in the Apalachicola River, Florida. River Research and Applications 29, 718–733.
| Importance of floodplain connectivity to fish populations in the Apalachicola River, Florida.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Burnet, A. (1969). Migrating eels in a Canterbury river, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 3, 230–244.
| Migrating eels in a Canterbury river, New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Buysse, D., Mouton, A. M., Stevens, M., Van Den Neucker, T., and Coeck, J. (2014). Mortality of European eel after downstream migration through two types of pumping stations. Fisheries Management and Ecology 21, 13–21.
| Mortality of European eel after downstream migration through two types of pumping stations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cada, G. F., Coutant, C. C., and Whitney, R. R. (1997). Development of biological criteria for the design of advanced hydropower turbines. DOE/ID-10578, US Department of Energy, Idaho Falls, ID, USA.
Collier, K. J., Baker, C. F., David, B. O., Górski, K., and Pingram, M. A. (2017). Linking ecological science with management outcomes on New Zealand’s longest river. River Research and Applications 1, 1–13.
Dekker, W., and Casselman, J. M. (2014). The 2003 Québec Declaration of Concern about eel declines – 11 years later: are eels climbing back up the slippery slope? Fisheries 39, 613–614.
| The 2003 Québec Declaration of Concern about eel declines – 11 years later: are eels climbing back up the slippery slope?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Duirs, R. (2017). Native fish migration through land drainage and flood control infrastructure. An assessment of effects and review of management efforts. Report number 140640-09, Bloxam Burnett & Oliver Ltd, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Durif, C. M. F., and Elie, P. (2008). Predicting downstream migration of silver eels in a large river catchment based on commercial fishery data. Fisheries Management and Ecology 15, 127–137.
| Predicting downstream migration of silver eels in a large river catchment based on commercial fishery data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Egg, L., Pander, J., Mueller, M., and Geist, J. (2018). Comparison of sonar-, camera- and net-based methods in detecting riverine fish-movement patterns. Marine and Freshwater Research 69, 1905–1912.
| Comparison of sonar-, camera- and net-based methods in detecting riverine fish-movement patterns.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hadderingh, R. H., Van Aerssen, G. H. F. M., De Beijer, R. F. L. J., and Van der Velde, G. (1999). Reaction of silver eels to artificial light sources and water currents: an experimental deflection study. Regulated Rivers: Research and Management 15, 365–371.
| Reaction of silver eels to artificial light sources and water currents: an experimental deflection study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hannay, D. E., Delarue, J., Mouy, X., Martin, B. S., Leary, D., Oswald, J. N., and Vallarta, J. (2013). Marine mammal acoustic detections in the northeastern Chukchi Sea, September 2007–July 2011. Continental Shelf Research 67, 127–146.
| Marine mammal acoustic detections in the northeastern Chukchi Sea, September 2007–July 2011.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jellyman, D. J., and Unwin, M. J. (2017). Diel and seasonal movements of silver eels, Anguilla dieffenbachii, emigrating from a lake subject to hydro-electric control. Journal of Fish Biology 91, 219–241.
| Diel and seasonal movements of silver eels, Anguilla dieffenbachii, emigrating from a lake subject to hydro-electric control.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 28543274PubMed |
Kuehne, L., Padgham, B., and Olden, J. (2013). The soundscapes of lakes across an urbanisation gradient. PLoS One 8, e55661.
| The soundscapes of lakes across an urbanisation gradient.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23424636PubMed |
Kwak, T. J. (1988). Lateral movement and use of floodplain habitat by fishes of the Kankakee River, Illinois. American Midland Naturalist 120, 241–249.
| Lateral movement and use of floodplain habitat by fishes of the Kankakee River, Illinois.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Linke, S., Gifford, T., Desjonquères, C., Tonolla, D., Aubin, T., Barclay, L., Karaconstantis, C. J., Kennard, M., Rybak, F., and Sueur, J. (2018). Freshwater ecoacoustics as a tool for continuous ecosystem monitoring. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 16, 231–238.
| Freshwater ecoacoustics as a tool for continuous ecosystem monitoring.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lowe, R. H. (1952). The influence of light and other factors on the seaward migration of the silver eel (Anguilla anguilla L). Journal of Animal Ecology 21, 275–309.
| The influence of light and other factors on the seaward migration of the silver eel (Anguilla anguilla L).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lugli, M., Yan, H., and Fine, M. (2003). Acoustic communication in two freshwater gobies: the relationship between ambient noise, hearing thresholds and sound spectrum. Journal of Comparative Physiology – A. Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology 189, 309–320.
| 12665991PubMed |
Mouy, X., Oswald, J. N., Leary, D., Delarue, J., Vallarta, J., Rideout, B., Mellinger, D., Erbe, C., Hannay, D., and Martin, B. (2013). Passive acoustic monitoring of marine mammals in the Arctic. In ‘Detection, Classification, Localization of Marine Mammals using Passive Acoustics’. (Eds O. Adam and F. Samaran.) pp. 185–224. (Dirac NGO: Paris, France.)
Nagrodski, A., Raby, G. D., Hasler, C. T., Taylor, M. K., and Cooke, S. J. (2012). Fish stranding in freshwater systems: Sources, consequences, and mitigation. Journal of Environmental Management 103, 133–141.
| Fish stranding in freshwater systems: Sources, consequences, and mitigation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22481278PubMed |
Patrick, P. H., and Sim, B. (1985). Effectiveness of a Hidrostal pump in live transfer of American eels. Hydrobiologia 128, 57–60.
| Effectiveness of a Hidrostal pump in live transfer of American eels.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pronger, J., Schipper, L. A., Hill, R. B., Campbell, D. I., and McLeod, M. (2014). Subsidence rates of drained agricultural peatlands in New Zealand and the relationship with time since drainage. Journal of Environmental Quality 43, 1442–1449.
| Subsidence rates of drained agricultural peatlands in New Zealand and the relationship with time since drainage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25603091PubMed |
Quinn, T. P., and Buck, G. B. (2001). Size- and sex-selective mortality of adult sockeye salmon: bears, gulls, and fish out of water. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 130, 995–1005.
| Size- and sex-selective mortality of adult sockeye salmon: bears, gulls, and fish out of water.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Solomon, D. J., and Wright, R. (2012). Prioritising pumping stations for the passage of eels and other fish. Final Report, v1.2, Environment Agency, Kelvedon, UK.
Todd, P. (1981). Timing and periodicity of migrating New Zealand freshwater eels (Anguilla spp.). New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 15, 225–235.
| Timing and periodicity of migrating New Zealand freshwater eels (Anguilla spp.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Towsey, M., Planitz, B., Nantes, A., Wimmer, J., and Roe, P. (2012). A toolbox for animal call recognition. Bioacoustics 21, 107–125.
| A toolbox for animal call recognition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
van Esch, B. P. M. (2012). Fish injury and mortality during passage through pumping stations. Journal of Fluids Engineering 134, 071302.
| Fish injury and mortality during passage through pumping stations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
van Esch, B. P. M., and Spierts, I. L. Y. (2014). Validation of a model to predict fish passage mortality in pumping stations. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 71, 1910–1923.
| Validation of a model to predict fish passage mortality in pumping stations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vøllestad, L., Jonsson, B., Hvidsten, N., Naesje, T., Haraldstad, O., and Ruud-Hansen, J. (1986). Environmental factors regulating the seaward migration of European silver eels (Anguilla anguilla). Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 43, 1909–1916.
| Environmental factors regulating the seaward migration of European silver eels (Anguilla anguilla).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vriese, F. J. (2009). Research into the fish-friendly screw pumps. Report VA2009_19, VisAdvies, Nieuwegein, Netherlands.
Zimmer, W. M. X. (2011). ‘Passive Acoustic Monitoring of Cetaceans.’ (Cambridge University Press: New York, NY, USA.)
