Abstract
ABSTRACTWinter is a stressful season for freshwater, stream-dwelling fish because ice decreases habitat area and creates habitat fragmentation, and cooler water temperatures lower fish metabolism. Small streams regularly become completely ice-covered, and common techniques used to study fish developed for open-water conditions are not easily modified. These winter conditions make it difficult to accurately observe fish behaviour in their natural habitat. This study evaluated remote underwater video cameras used to observe minnow behaviour in overwinter conditions. Waterproof action cameras (e.g. GoPros™ and Sony™ action cameras) were lowered into the water column from the channel ice and set to record for 30-minute intervals, and with a modified antenna, Bluetooth™ connected cameras facilitated real-time observations to check and ensure camera position and function. Advances in video camera technology have allowed high quality video to be captured with inexpensive equipment (∼$500 CDN for camera, case, memory card and back-up batteries), such as small, portable action cameras that are now readily available. This technique was effective at observing fish behaviour, communities and habitat preference during the winter in small, ice-covered streams, which is important for water resource and fisheries management, conservation biology and stream restoration.
Highlights
Winter conditions make it difficult to evaluate fish behaviour in their overwinter habitat, in shallow, ice-covered streams
Small fish (e.g. Semotilus atromaculatus, Rhinichthys atratulus and Clinostomus elongates), juvenile and young-of-the-year salmonids (e.g. Salmo salar and Salvelinus fontinalis) are an important food source for larger, predatory fish and contribute to overall biodiversity. Observing their behaviour during winter conditions is necessary for fishery management and informing conservation or restoration practices (e.g. Skyfield & Grossman 2008)
Midwinter floods are common in small streams and may produce higher turbidity levels and impact observations (e.g. Harvey et al 1999)
Summary
Winter conditions make it difficult to evaluate fish behaviour in their overwinter habitat, in shallow, ice-covered streams. Small fish (e.g. Semotilus atromaculatus, Rhinichthys atratulus and Clinostomus elongates), juvenile and young-of-the-year salmonids (e.g. Salmo salar and Salvelinus fontinalis) are an important food source for larger, predatory fish and contribute to overall biodiversity Observing their behaviour during winter conditions is necessary for fishery management and informing conservation or restoration practices After the cameras were lowered into the water column, if fish were present, they were observed throughout the video and not just towards the end of the recording period, suggesting that the 20-minute delay was sufficient. Even a partial view blockage can reduce the quality of observations One way this was mitigated was to watch the video through a live-feed either through applications provided by the manufacturer (i.e. watching from an iPhone or iPad) and/or using the wristband remote viewers that come with newer camera models. Midwinter floods are common in small streams and may produce higher turbidity levels and impact observations (e.g. Harvey et al 1999)
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