Acoustic telemetry infrastructure for tracking migratory fish species at risk

这项提案描述了购买声学遥测设备，以支持新不伦瑞克大学林南萨里研究实验室开展的关于洄游鱼类的重要研究活动。总体而言，将购买50个被动声接收器以及必要的部署和维护部件。由于淡水和海洋条件的范围不同，需要在接收器上安装不同的功能，因此将购买三种不同类型的无源接收器；接收器的范围从基本数据存储功能到蓝牙数据传输和自动“弹出式”释放系统。此外，还将购置一个有源跟踪接收器单元，以便进行精细的移动和行为研究。 声学跟踪设备将用于支持6个正在进行的、2个启动的和1个计划中的遥测项目，在这些项目中，至少有11名高素质人员，包括3名原住民成员，接受水上遥测专家培训。受资助的项目研究了三个大西洋鲑鱼种群和一个内陆大西洋鲑鱼种群、两个在空间上不同的美洲鳗鱼种群以及一个短吻鲟鱼、条纹鱼和海捕溪流鲑鱼种群的迁徙生态，时间范围为2021-25年。加拿大濒危野生动物状况委员会已考虑将所研究的所有洄游鱼类种群列入具有保护地位的名单，但只有一种除外，或者正在严重下降；其中一种所研究的鱼类种群呈指数级增长，这引发了对其他共同出现的鱼类种群的相互捕食影响的问题。根据所研究的鱼类种群，声波遥测研究的目的是：1)更好地了解鱼类种群持续下降的原因(如死亡率、原因和位置)；2)确定可供养护或管理的重要生境区域；3)确认当前缓解措施的有效性(如水电环境中鱼类通道结构的效率)；或4)了解捕食性鱼类种群恢复对特定河流系统中其他洄游鱼类种群的影响。 使用拟议设备研究的所有鱼类种群都是重要的社会经济物种，历史上吸引了大量的渔业旅游，从而在大西洋加拿大产生了经济副产品。了解当前数量下降的原因或缓解的有效性将有助于渔业管理者为加拿大后代更好地保护这些种群。此外，所有这些物种都具有重要的传统和文化价值，对当地Mi‘kmaq和Wolastoqey社区的食物和仪式用途具有重要意义，这些社区也积极参与了这项提议的实地研究。

This proposal describes a purchase of acoustic telemetry equipment to support significant research activities on migratory fish species in the Linnansaari research laboratory at the University of New Brunswick. Overall, 50 passive acoustic receivers and necessary deployment and maintenance parts will be acquired. Three different varieties of passive receivers are being purchased because of the range of freshwater to ocean conditions necessitating different features onboard the receivers; the receivers range from basic data storage functions to Bluetooth data transmission and automated “pop-off” release systems. Additionally, an active tracking receiver unit will be acquired to facilitate fine-scale movement and behaviour studies. The acoustic tracking equipment will be used to support six ongoing, two starting, and one planned telemetry projects wherein minimally 11 highly qualified personnel, including three members of First Nations, are trained as aquatic telemetry specialists. The supported projects study the migration ecology of three sea-run and one landlocked Atlantic salmon populations, two spatially distinct American eel populations, and a population of shortnose sturgeon, striped bass, and sea-run brook trout, in a timeframe between 2021-25. All but one of the studied migratory fish populations are already considered for listing with a conservation status by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, or are in severe decline; one of the studied fish populations is exponentially increasing, raising questions of interactive predatory effects on the other co-occurring fish populations. Depending on the studied fish population, the objective of the acoustic telemetry studies is to either i) better understand the causes for the continued decline (e.g., mortality rates, reasons and locations), ii) identify significant habitat areas for conservation or management action, iii) confirm the efficiency of current mitigation measures (e.g., efficiency of fish passage structures in hydropower context) or iv) understand the effect of population recovery of a fish predator on other migratory fish populations inhabiting the specific river system. All fish populations studied by using the proposed equipment are socio-economically important species that have historically attracted significant fishing tourism, and thus, economic spin-off in Atlantic Canada. Understanding the causes of the current declines or effectiveness of mitigation will help fisheries managers better protect these populations for future Canadian generations. In addition, all these species are of traditional and cultural importance and are significant for food and ceremonial purposes for local Mi'kmaq and Wolastoqey communities who are also active participants in the field research of this proposal.