EPA-OW: NRSA Fish 2013 (Wade): Fish sampling in small wadeable streams by electrofishing
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Official Method Name
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National Rivers and Streams Assessment 2013/14: Field Operations Manual - Wadeable |
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Current Revision
| Version 1.1, April 2013 |
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Media
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WATER |
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Instrumentation
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Electrofishing Unit |
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Method Subcategory
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Population/Community |
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Method Source
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Citation
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Protocol
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EPA-841-B-12-009 - National Rivers and Streams Assessment: Field Operations Manual (2013) |
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Brief Method Summary
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Method: This is the EPA National Rivers and Streams procedure for collecting fish in small wadeable streams. The sampling crew should consist of one electrofisher operator, one dip-netter (1/4” mesh dip net), and an optional bucket carrier (who may also have a net to aid in transferring fish to the livewell). For safety, all crew members are required to wear non-breathable waders and insulated gloves. To aid vision, wear polarized sunglasses and a hat or visor. Begin sampling at the downstream stream end of the support reach defined for the site (Figure 10.3) and proceed upstream. Sample the entire support reach, which will be between 150 and 500 m long. Total button time will vary between 500 and 700 seconds per subreach. Conduct sampling by subreach (area between transects), but you do not have to allocate effort equally among all 10 subreaches. Whenever possible, process fish at the end of each subreach to minimize mortality and stress to fish. You can use multiple lines per species on the Fish Collection Form if necessary (e.g., you collect a large number of individuals and need additional space for tallying, or collect the same species at non-adjacent subreaches [e.g., A-B and G-H]). Cited Source document: This document (Field Operations Manual (FOM)) contains a brief introduction and procedures to follow at the base location and on-site, including methods for sampling water chemistry (grabs and in situ measurements), periphyton, benthic macroinvertebrates, microcystins, fish assemblage, fish tissue plugs, whole fish tissue, Enterococci, and physical habitat. These methods are based on the guidelines developed and followed in the National Rivers and Streams Assessment 2008-2009 (EPA 2012), Western Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (Baker, et al., 1997), the methods outlined in Concepts and Approaches for the Bioassessment of Non-wadeable Streams and Rivers (Flotemersch, et al., 2006), and methods employed by several key states that were involved in the planning phase of this project. Methods described in this document are to be used specifically in work relating to the National Rivers and Streams Assessment 2013/14. All Project cooperators must follow these guidelines. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this document does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. Details on specific methods for site evaluation and sample processing can be found in the appropriate companion document. |
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Scope and Application
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The fish sampling method is designed to provide a representative sample of the fish community, collecting all but the rarest fish taxa inhabiting the site. It is intended to accurately represent species richness, species guilds, relative abundance, size, and presence of anomalies. The intended uses of the fish assemblage data are to calculate predictive models of multimetric indicators (MMIs; similar to an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI); Pont et al. 2008, USEPA 2013a) and possibly Observed/Expected (O/E) taxa richness. In addition, the fish assemblage data provides a starting point for developing potential indicators of ecosystem services related to fish. |
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Applicable Concentration Range
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Interferences
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If no fish can be collected or electrofishing is ineffective due to high conductivity or extreme turbidity, refer to seining protocol in Table 10.5. |
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Quality Control Requirements
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Sample Handling
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a) Process fish and/or change water after each subreach to reduce mortality and stress. - Although not required, you may note amphibians and reptiles captured on the fish collection form. b) Release fish in a location that eliminates the likelihood of recapture. |
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Maximum Holding Time
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Relative Cost
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3 - 6 hrs. per site/sample |
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Sample Preparation Methods
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