Assessment and restoration of spawning reef habitat in Saginaw Bay

Session: Great Lakes Reefs: Research, Monitoring, Creation, and Maintenance (1)

Tomas Hook, Purdue University, Dept. Forestry and Natural Resources, [email protected]
David Fielder, Michigan DNR, Alpena Fisheries Research Station, [email protected]
Bretton Joldersma, Michigan Office of the Great Lakes, [email protected]
Michael Jury, Michigan DEQ, [email protected]
Nick Kalejs, Purdue University, [email protected]
Laura Ogar, Bay County Environmental Affairs and Community Development, [email protected]
Edward Roseman, USGS-Great Lakes Science Center, [email protected]
Todd Wills, Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources, [email protected]

Abstract

Inner Saginaw Bay previously contained large rocky reef complexes which provided spawning and nursery habitat for various fishes, including walleye and lake whitefish. Sedimentation, due to widespread land-use changes, and biofouling led to the severe degradation of these habitats.  Historically, reef spawning fish in Saginaw Bay likely constituted key components for sustaining populations and the fisheries that depended upon them. Interestingly, recent assessments of degraded reefs demonstrate that some walleye and lake whitefish continue to spawn on these habitats, albeit at very low levels. Building from these findings, our group of federal, state, local, university and NGO partners have built support and secured funding to restore two reef sites in inner Saginaw Bay. The long-term aim of this effort is to provide important spawning habitat and promote the sustainability of Saginaw Bay fish population. We will discuss the rationale for reef restoration in the Saginaw Bay and the adaptive management approach we are pursuing to evaluate and improve this enterprise.

Twitter handle of presenter
@hooklab