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A Sampler for Capturing Larval and Juvenile Atlantic Menhaden
Author(s) -
Hedrick James D.,
Hedrick L. Ras,
Margraf F. Joseph
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
north american journal of fisheries management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1548-8675
pISSN - 0275-5947
DOI - 10.1577/m03-189.1
Subject(s) - netting , plankton , fishery , juvenile , ichthyoplankton , menhaden , larva , environmental science , juvenile fish , fish <actinopterygii> , biology , ecology , fish meal , law , political science
Interest in capturing larval and juvenile Atlantic menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus for use in laboratory studies required the design and construction of a sampling device that would allow us to make collections of live fish from open‐water areas. Our device for capturing 1–2.5‐in larval–juvenile fish was constructed of a stainless steel frame that supported a 9.84‐ft‐long (3‐m‐long) 5 cone plankton net with a 3.28‐ft‐diameter (1‐m‐diameter) opening and a 0.04‐in (1‐mm) mesh size. Although the plankton net was similar to that used during typical larval fish collections, the cod end was constructed of Plexiglas and was nearly watertight; this prevented impingement and injury to larval fish and provided a calm‐water environment. The cod end was designed for quick release from the plankton net, and the entire cod end could be submerged into a 75‐gal onboard holding tank. This design and technique obviated the netting or emerging of fish from the water until they were returned to the laboratory.