Wild Fish Health Survey (NWFHS). Sampling will consist of lethal collection of tissues and cultures from some individuals. Final results will be posted in the NWFHS database, available online. Attempts to correlate environmental data as well as contaminant analysis with fish health findings will be made. Contaminant Analysis.- A subsample of collected fish will be used contaminant analysis. Two species (yet to be determined) representing different trophic levels will be sacrificed, wrapped in aluminum foil, and frozen as soon as possible (per standardized preservation methods). Contaminant analysis will then be performed by an independent laboratory. Statistical Analysis. A variety of techniques will be used to summarize fisheries data. – To index differences in fish species index of composition among strata, Morisita’s similarity (Krebs 1999) will be calculated for pair wise comparisons among strata. index of similarity between strata and number of individuals of where Morisita’s j k, species in sample and total number of individuals in sample total numbr of i j k, j, individuals in sample , and . k, Size structure of gamefish species will be compared among strata using a Kruskal-Wallace test. Condition based upon weight-length relationships of gamefish will be compared among strata using analysis of covariance with stratum as the class variable. Size structure and condition information will be used to make recommendations about potential recreational fishing opportunities can be supported within the Refuge. Timeline. - Field sampling of the fish community will occur in April 2010. Data entry, analysis will be completed in May 2010. A final report will be completed by July 2010. Literature Cited Krebs, C. J. 1999. Ecological Methodology, Second Edition. Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers, Inc., Menlo Park, CA. Swihart, G. L. and L. B. Daniel. 1994. An Assessment of Fishery Resources on The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum. Final Report. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Office of Fishery Resource Assistance, White Marsh, VA.
Wild Fish Health Survey (NWFHS). Sampling will consist of lethal collection of tissues and cultures from some individuals. Final results will be posted in the NWFHS database, available online. Attempts to correlate environmental data as well as contaminant analysis with fish health findings will be made. Contaminant Analysis.- A subsample of collected fish will be used contaminant analysis. Two species (yet to be determined) representing different trophic levels will be sacrificed, wrapped in aluminum foil, and frozen as soon as possible (per standardized preservation methods). Contaminant analysis will then be performed by an independent laboratory. Statistical Analysis. – A variety of techniques will be used to summarize fisheries data. To index differences in fish species composition among strata, Morisita’s index of similarity (Krebs 1999) will be calculated for pair wise comparisons among strata. where Morisita’s index of similarity between strata j and k, number of individuals of species i in sample j and k, total number of individuals in sample j, total numbr of individuals in sample k, , and . Size structure of gamefish species will be compared among strata using a Kruskal-Wallace test. Condition based upon weight-length relationships of gamefish will be compared among strata using analysis of covariance with stratum as the class variable. Size structure and condition information will be used to make recommendations about potential recreational fishing opportunities can be supported within the Refuge. Timeline. - Field sampling of the fish community will occur in April 2010. Data entry, analysis will be completed in May 2010. A final report will be completed by July 2010. Literature Cited Krebs, C. J. 1999. Ecological Methodology, Second Edition. Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers, Inc., Menlo Park, CA. Swihart, G. L. and L. B. Daniel. 1994. An Assessment of Fishery Resources on The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum. Final Report. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Office of Fishery Resource Assistance, White Marsh, VA.