Invasive cyprinid ecology in Hamilton Harbour, Lake Ontario

Session: 11. - Acoustic Telemetry Applications in the Great Lakes

Christine Boston, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, [email protected]
Jon Midwood, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, [email protected]
Jill Brooks, Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology (Carleton University), [email protected]
Elodie Ledee, Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Lab, [email protected]

Abstract

Two invasive fishes belonging to the family Cyprinidae, Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) and Goldfish (Carassius auratus), were abundant in Hamilton Harbour; a degraded embayment at the western end of Lake Ontario.  Carp, in particular, have had a significant, negative effect on the native fish community and was the largest contributor to total biomass in routine, nearshore boat electrofishing surveys (1988-2016). In comparison to other Lake Ontario embayments, the fish community of Hamilton Harbour stands out as an anomaly due to the high abundance of carp.  Efforts to reduce carp by excluding them from key spawning grounds at the western end of the harbour (Cootes Paradise) via a physical barrier (1997-2016) have been somewhat successful as biomass of carp has been reduced by ? 50%.  However, with the reduction of carp has come a concurrent increase in Goldfish. In 2017, 10 individuals of each species were implanted with acoustic transmitters (VEMCO) and released back into the harbour which hosts a telemetry array (2015-2018) to track the two species’ movements and gain new knowledge of their behaviour, ecology, and interactions with one another.  This knowledge can inform future management decisions regarding invasive species control and protection of native species and their habitats.  

1. Keyword
invasive species

2. Keyword
acoustics

3. Keyword
Hamilton Harbour

4. Additional Keyword
Area of Concern

5. Additional Keyword
Common Carp

6. Additional Keyword
Goldfish