PHOTO of Donald S. Eaton, Jr who caught this 8 pound 1 ounce state record smallmouth bass on March 12 2003. Pictured with John Copeland (DGIF) who certified the record. Note: the world record is 11 pounds 15 ounces.
Claytor Dam Hydroelectric project was first licensed to operate in 1943, the license expired and was re-licensed in 1981 for another 30 years through 2011. Appalachian Power filed its intent to relicense the project with FERC two years ago. Claytor Dam operates in a load following manner, releasing water through turbines when electric demands is highest, which results in daily flow pulses once or twice each day.
The relicensing process is one option for changing dam releases to balance environmental and power concerns. The process that was selected for the Claytor Hydro relicensing is referred to as Integrated Licensing Process, which allows for more public involvement.
You can quickly scan the official correspondence related to this relicensing project, which documents the level of collaboration and public input. The success of this process depends on every stakeholder having a voice at the table and voicing concerns about the type(s) of study plans to be done.
The Study Plan reports are due January 15, 2009. At that point interested stakeholder will have their "last" chance to comment on studies and have disputes resolved before the final licensing proposal.
The New River current supports one of the top Smallmouth Bass Fisheries in the region and has produced the current state record (see photo). In addition it supports a number of water-based recreation activities and a number of endemic fishes. The smallmouth bass is a dominant component of this river's piscine fauna and supported largely by very abundant crayfishes and productive aquatic insect fauna. To read more, see Roell and Orth (1993). Roell and Orth (1998), and/or Roell and Orth (1994). As you read about the history of the smallmouth bass fishery in the New River by John Copeland (DGIF District Fishery Biologist) and colleagues you will see that the issues affecting smallmouth bass are not always clear and straightforward.
Post your summaries of the Copeland et al article here:
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I was hoping to make this lesson an interactive "role play" where each of you is presented with same options and presents their interests in negotiating future operations of Claytor Dam Project. The studies underway are not all complete (due in January 2009), so this realistic role play is not possible. Instead we will discuss your perspectives on the Flow and Recreation Issues. I will give you time in class to read a summary of these study results.
In their article, “Smallmouth bas management in the New River, Virginia: a case study of population trends with lessons learned,” Copeland et al. (2006) claim that smallmouth bass populations have improved as a result of a change in angler behaviors and attitudes and possibly the implementation of a slot limit in place of a total length limit. The authors compare data collected after 1996 to data collected as part of a 1982-1983 study and compared smallmouth bass catch per unit effort, PSD, and Wr and concluded that smallmouth bass survival and condition has improved since the older study. The authors admit that many changes have happened in the New River over the last 50 years and most of these have not been carefully studied, resulting in a source of uncertainty as to the causes of the fishery improvements. Also, it is unclear how effective the slot limit has been because of the concurrent change in angler behavior. The purpose of the article was to document the change in the smallmouth bass fishery, hypothesize some of the mechanisms causing this change, and provide some insight into future management.
Copeland, J.R., D.J. Orth, and G.C. Palmer. 2006. Smallmouth bas management in the New River, Virginia: a case study of population trends with lessons learned. Proc. Annu. Conf. Southeast Fish and Wildlife Agencies 60:180-187.
Copeland et al, in their article “Smallmouth bass management in the New River, Virginia: A case study of population trends with lessons learned,” argue that a change in flow regime, angler behavior, and the integration of slot limits into fisheries management increased recruitment the number of trophy fishes and led to a increases in relative weight and smaller (< 304 mm) smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu). Historical and recent electrofishing samples of smallmouth bass at multiple sites in the New River, VA were compared for length, weight, catch per unit effort across years. The authors admit that changes in flow regime complicates the analysis of impact of changes in fisheries management and angler behavior, but that changes in the size structure combined with increases in weights, catch per unit effort and numbers of trophy fishes cannot be explained simply with flow regime data. The purpose of this article is to examine the history of the smallmouth bass fishery in the New River downstream of Clayton Dam, and the impact of fisheries management changes in the past two decades so that management for smallmouth bass can continue to be effective, especially with the impending re-licensing of Claytor Dam and its potential impacts on smallmouth bass fisheries.
Copeland, J.R., D.J. Orth, and G.C. Palmer. 2006. Smallmouth bass management in the New River, Virginia: A case study of population trends with lessons learned. Proc. Annu. Conf. Southeast Assoc Fish and Wildl Agencies 60:180-187.
In “Smallmouth bass management in the New River, Virginia: A case study of population trends with lessons learned,” Copeland et al (2006) discusses how the non-native smallmouth bass population has undergone changes that have modified the population structure. A major increase in proportional stock density was noticed from 1982-1993 to 1998-1999, indicating a healthier population structure with a greater number of larger (>356mm) smallmouth. Before, the fishery contained a great deal of population size unevenness, with greater numbers of younger fish with substandard weights, along with high mortality and stunted growth. Mean relative body weights showed an upward trend for fish in 1998-1999, and survival also increased. Anglers reported an upward trend in the quality of smallmouth bass caught as well. In summary, the smallmouth bass fishery of the new river seems to be improving, but more needs to be done to help protect and enhance this fishery.
Copeland, J.R., D.J. Orth, and G.C. Palmer. 2006. Smallmouth bass management in the New River, Virginia: A case study of population trends with lessons learned. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 60: 180-187.
Copeland et al (2006), in their conference paper, ‘Smallmouth Bass Management in the New River, Virginia: A Case Study of Population Trends with Lessons Learned’, assert that changes in small mouth bass size structure in the New River are partially explained by changes in harvest regulations. They supported this assertion by conducting a survey of both electrofishing data spanning the period 1982-2005, and also back-calculated data. The authors accept the fact that they are not certain that size limit changes are entirely responsible for New River fishery improvements. The main objective of the writers is to ascertain whether changes in smallmouth bass size structure can be attributed to changes in harvest regulation, since changes in management within the past 50 years confounded interpretation.
Copeland J. R., D.J. Orth G. C. Palmer (2006). Smallmouth Bass Management in the New River, Virginia: A Case Study of Population Trends with Lessons Learned. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of SEAFWA, 2006.
New River SMB mgmt
Copeland, J. C., D. J. Orth, and G. C. Palmer. 2006. Smallmouth bass in the New River, Virginia: a case study of population trends with lessons learned. Proc. Annu. Conf. Southeast Assoc. Fish and Wildl. Agencies 60:180–187.
Copeland et al begin by describing that the New River smallmouth bass fishery was mainly comprised of high amounts of small individuals. They then write that the fishery has improved since 1987, when a 279-356 mm slot limit was introduced to all smallmouth bass fisheries in Virginia. The researchers compared demographic data data from 1982 and 1998. They found that PSD values and relative weight increased significantly from 1982-1998. They also found that survival of ages 2-4 and 2-6. Also, they found that anglers currently harvest less smallmouth bass than historically. They also note increases in the largest size fish caught. They believe that the increase in PSD is largely due to the implementation of new regulations, as well as the self-regulation of anglers. Survival increases are primarily due to catch-and-release methods. They also believe that the unnatural flow regime may be contributing to decreased age-0 survival, and that the elimination of peak flow from Claytor Dam may also have positive effects.
Copeland, J.R., D.J. Orth, and G.C. Palmer. 2006. Smallmouth bass management in the New River, Virginia: A case study of population trends with lessons learned. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of Southeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 60:180-187.
Copeland et al. (2006) reviewed changes in the SMB fishery of the New River in Virginia below Claytor Lake over the last twenty years. The found the fishery had improved in recent years and was now producing more citation-sized SMB. Improvements were associated with the implementation of scientifically based slot size limits, which focused angler pressure on small and large sizes and reduced pressure on moderate sizes, and shifting angler behavior—anglers in recent years were more likely to catch and release. They could not rule out competing hypotheses that improvements were associated with reduction of peak flows release from Claytor Lake or concurrent changes in flow regime that were strongly associated with young SMB survival. This study demonstrates the value and need of long-term monitoring to identify changes and potential drivers.
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