Study

Use of electric barriers to deter movement of round goby

  • Published source details Savino J.F., Jude D.J. & Kostich M.J. (2001) Use of electric barriers to deter movement of round goby. American Fisheries Society Symposium, 26, 171-182.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Ponto-Caspian gobies: Use of barriers to prevent migration

Action Link
Control of Freshwater Invasive Species
  1. Ponto-Caspian gobies: Use of barriers to prevent migration

    A controlled, replicated field study in the Shiawassee River, Michigan, USA (Savino et al. 2001) found that an electrical barrier prevented round goby Neogobius melanostomus movement across it.  Without any electrical current, round goby crossed the barrier within 20 minutes from release upstream. Using electrical settings shown to inhibit passage in the laboratory, the only marked round goby found below the barrier were dead.  At reduced pulse durations, a few round goby (on average one per test) were found alive, but debilitated, below the barrier.  Increasing electrical pulse duration and voltage increased the effectiveness of the barrier.  Feasibility studies in a 2 m donut-shaped tank determined the required electrical currents.  In field studies, an electrical barrier was placed between two blocking nets. The barrier consisted of 6 m wide canvas on which were laid four cables carrying the electrical current.  Twenty five latex paint-marked round goby were introduced upstream of the electrical barrier and recovered 24 h later upstream, on or downstream of the barrier.

    (1)Savino J.F., Jude D.J & Kostich M.J. (2001) Use of electric barriers to deter movement of round goby. American Fisheries Society Symposium, 26, 171-182

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