Abstract

ABSTRACT The biological structure of a 1.4 ha (3.5 acre) pond in Oldwick, N.J., was assessed during 1983 to facilitate improving swimming and fishing conditions. A biological management strategy, including reducing planktivore populations and restructuring of fish community size distribution, was employed in the spring of 1984. Although fish biomass was reduced, proportional stock density values indicated that fishing quality was substantially improved. Growth and recruitment of gamefish appeared to be minimally affected after one year of post-implementation monitoring. Reduced adult planktivore biomass lessened predation pressure on zooplankton stocks, which increased in both abundance and mean individual size. A resultant increase in grazing activity yielded reduced phytoplankton biomass through the summer and increased water clarity. Appeal and safety for contact recreation were noticably enhanced. The results suggest that managing fish populations can have cascading effects on other trophic levels to ...

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