Effects of Semi-Impoundment on Fish and Crustacean Nursery Use: Evaluation of a Solution

Herke, William H.; Knudsen, E. Eric; Knudsen, Pamela A.; Rogers, Barton D.; ,

Effects of Semi-Impoundment on Fish and Crustacean Nursery Use: Evaluation of a Solution

by William H. Herke, Louisiana State Univ, Baton Rouge, LA, USA,
E. Eric Knudsen, Louisiana State Univ, Baton Rouge, LA, USA,
Pamela A. Knudsen, Louisiana State Univ, Baton Rouge, LA, USA,
Barton D. Rogers, Louisiana State Univ, Baton Rouge, LA, USA,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastal Zone '87

Abstract:

Semi-impoundment of the marsh is one of the primary 'solutions' currently recommended to combat coastal marsh erosion, and also to improve habitat for waterfowl, alligators and furbearers. A 70-hectare marsh pond was leveed to create two nearly identical 35-hectare ponds. A fixed-crest weir was placed in the outlet of only one of the ponds. All fishes and crustaceans emigrating from the two ponds were trapped continuously and the traps were emptied daily. The trapping continued for 2 years, with the weir being switched to the outlet of the other pond after the first year. Comparisons of catches from the weired and non-weired ponds showed that the weir caused substantial reductions in both the number and total weight of most of the important estuarine-dependent fishes and crustaceans migrating back toward the Gulf. A subsequent test indicated semi-impoundment by a vertically slotted weir would allow more fisheries export.

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