I’m working with Dave
Marshall of Underwater Habitat Investigations, LLC on a Wisconsin river
floodplain habitat and associated off-channel fish conservation
aquaculture project. Studies by Marshall over the last several
years have indicated that target fish species with information needs or
species of greatest conservation need were found at least once at 93%
of selected sites sampled annually over three separate years.
Conservation aquaculture is being proposed as an option for increasing
numbers of rare species where populations are critically low.
Additionally, fish transfers are being explored as an option to expand
the range of rare species within river systems where dams block
migrations. For my part of the project, I am currently culturing
Banded Killifish (Fundulus diaphanus)
a state Special Concern species, in aquaria. Though the
information being gleaned from raising the fish in aquaria is
invaluable, we believe that for raising the number of fish required for
reintroduction efforts, we will have to culture the fish in
ponds. Becker (1983) reported that Banded Killifish were
propagated in a small Michigan pond at the rate of 80,000 per
acre. To that end, I am working with a local land trust to see if
we can raise Banded Killifish and other Special Concern species in
ponds on their properties. Initial response has been favorable,
and we hope that they can help us move forward with this fantastic
project!
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