EPA-OW: NRSA Fish 2013 (Boat): Fish sampling in large non-wadeable rivers by electrofishing
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Official Method Name
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National Rivers and Streams Assessment 2013/14: Field Operations Manual Non-Wadeable: Fish Assemblage |
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Current Revision
| Version 1.1, 2013 |
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Media
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WATER (Waterbody type - Non-wadeable stream) |
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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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The fish sampling method is designed to provide a representative sample of the fish community, collecting all but the rarest 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. 2009, 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. In non-wadeable rivers, collect fish using boat (or raft) electrofishing over a defined sampling reach within the support reach established for the site. Use secondary fish collection methods in habitat that cannot be adequately sampled by boat. Secondary methods may include backpack or tote barge electrofishing, using your boat as a barge, or seining as a last option only if conductivity is too high for electrofishing. Conduct sampling in a downstream direction, allocating effort (button time) within subreaches (areas between the cross-section transects). At medium and large wadeable streams, if you have not collected 500 individuals at the end of the defined fish sampling reach, sample additional subreaches in their entirety until you obtain at least 500 individuals. Record information related to sampling effort on the front of the Fish Gear and Sample Information Form (see Figure 10.1 in method PDF). Record species identification and enumeration data on one or more pages of the fish collection form (see Figure 10.2 in method PDF). |
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Scope and Application
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This method describes the procedure for collecting fish in non-wadeable rivers that are sampled as part of the U.S. EPA's National Rivers and Streams Assessment. |
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Applicable Concentration Range
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Interferences
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Very low or very high conductivity can decrease the effectiveness of electrofishing equipment. Depths of over about 10 feet are also not sampled very effectively. |
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Quality Control Requirements
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Sample Handling
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Maximum Holding Time
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Relative Cost
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Unknown |
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Sample Preparation Methods
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