Fishfolks:

I was wondering.

If population reductions in lakes that are intensively shocked, can be
attributed to the electro fishing, is it a direct effect on egg viability
or other measure of reproductive success, or may it be due to reduced
size of mature fish due to the stress of being shocked, broken vertebrae
etc.  Or is it some other indirect effect such as lower ability to find
mates due to decreased  swimming ability due to deformities.

I have done a little work with mark-recapture of electro-fished salmonids
and centrarchids and have seen many deformed fish due to broken
vertebrae.  It would be interesting to tease this out.

Any other thoughts on this subject?

Joseph Schwarz
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