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Electro Fishing

1) Electrofishing uses electricity to stun or immobilize fish for purposes like stock assessment, health surveys, and tagging. 2) When fish are exposed to an electrical field, they will first be attracted to the anode, then stunned as they approach it. At higher voltages they may be electrocuted. 3) Electrofishing gear consists of a power unit to generate alternating or direct current, electrodes to introduce the current into the water, and safety precautions must be followed to avoid injury.

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Sujit Shandilya
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215 views2 pages

Electro Fishing

1) Electrofishing uses electricity to stun or immobilize fish for purposes like stock assessment, health surveys, and tagging. 2) When fish are exposed to an electrical field, they will first be attracted to the anode, then stunned as they approach it. At higher voltages they may be electrocuted. 3) Electrofishing gear consists of a power unit to generate alternating or direct current, electrodes to introduce the current into the water, and safety precautions must be followed to avoid injury.

Uploaded by

Sujit Shandilya
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Electrofishing

Uday kumar, BFT08033, Fisheries College & Research Institute, Thoothukudi


Introduction: Electric fishing (called electrofishing in the USA) is the term given to a number of very different methods all of which have in common the utilisation of the reaction of fish to electrical fields in water for facilitating capture . Whilst the exact nature by which these effects are caused is still a matter of some debate ,the basic principle is that the electrical field stimulates the nervous system and induces muscular reaction (either involuntary or voluntary), this results in the characteristic behaviour and immobilisation of the fish.One of the key tools available to fisheries management is that of electrofishing. The main purposes for electrofishing are stock assessment, sampling/health surveys, and tagging, catching spawners, anaesthetising or eliminating species. Application Electrofishing is an effective tool for fishery scientists because most aquatic organisms become motionless when the body voltage exceeds a certain value from nose to tail. Early methods were only applied to freshwater streams and small pools; this was due to limited knowledge of fish reactions. The inherent nature of the process allows shallow water to be fished successfully; also there are limits on the total area that can be worked. Taking these two principals into consideration the ideal waters would be small shallow rivers, commonly chalk streams, drained canals or full navigational pathways with a maximum depth of 2.5 metres; the width of the canal is the main restriction. Conversely, the littoral zones of lakes and reservoirs lend their self to efficient electro fishing especially if there are many bank side features such as overhanging bushes, trees or reed beds. Gear requirements Commonly the gear requirements for electrofishing consist of three main pieces of apparatus. Firstly the power unit, this can produce a 2 or 3-phase alternating current; the energy produced by this device will ultimately be determined by the conductivity of the water. It is usual to convert this to direct current through a transformer and this can be at different voltages pulse the shape, length and frequency of the pulse will also be determined at this stage. The final section consists of the electrodes, and the shape of these will influence the field strength. The electrodes consist of two types, the anode (positive) and the cathode (negative). The choice of material and size of electrode can influence fishing efficiency; ultimately this will determine the field strength (voltage gradient). Essentially an increase in electrode size will increase the electrical field size, decrease the resistance of the electrodes and most importantly reduce harm to the fish. Two types of current can be used when fishing with electricity; these incur different physiology and behavioural occurrences upon the fish. Direct current is the most common; this utilises a permanent anode and cathode. The fish are attracted to the anode, but repelled from the cathode. Alternatively, alternating current can be applied, the difference being that the electrodes continually alternate between anode and cathode. Fish are not attracted to either electrode, but instead are orientated in line with the field. Although

alternating current has a larger immobilisation zone direct current is commonly the first choice as the attraction zone is larger, and thus more efficient. Constant direct current does not incur the same amount of injuries to fish as does pulsed (when keeping energy inputs the same), but the total area of fishing is always larger with pulsed direct current. Fish Reaction: Fish show certain characteristics when in the presence of electricity. The reaction distance of fish to electricity is dependent upon the field strength, the pulse type, the fish length (and on occasions species) and the position of the fish in relation to the anode. Direct current as an example, both the anode and cathode are placed into the water body at some distance apart and fish in the vicinity will swim towards the anode. On approaching the anode swimming will cease, the fish will commonly turn over and then go into a state of narcosis. This process involves three key reactions: attraction (electrotaxis, this can in fact be split into positive and negative as fish do show initial movements away from the anode), stunning (electronarcosis) and electrocution. The value of the field strength at which these three reactions occur is determined by the corresponding body voltage. The body voltage is dependent upon the field strength in the surrounding water, the fish length and the relation of the specific resistance of the water body to the resistance of the fish body. Precaution: The energy generated from batteries or a generator used during electrofishing operations is sufficient to injure or kill a person. People have been killed with a current as low as 0.002 amp, a value well below the average 6 amps used during some electrofishing operations. Exposure to a low electrical current may cause death through respiratory arrest or cardiac fibrillation. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may restore breathing for respiratory conditions. There are five common electrofishing methods: boat, bank, skiff, raft, and backpack shocking. All electrofishing operations are inherently dangerous; however, bank and skiff shockers require additional precautions. During these operations, people are in the water surrounded by a large and strong electrical field where the slightest mistake could prove to be fatal. Under no circumstances should a person electrofish alone. Boat operators should maintain a first aid kit on the boat, whereas bank and backpack operators should provide a first aid kit close to the project site. Fire extinguishers should also be available during electrofishing operations that require a gasoline-powered generator or similar power source. Loud and continuous noise from generators and boat motors are another danger associated with electrofishing operations. Continuous loud noise could damage hearing and it impairs communication among the electrofishing team members. Adverse weather can affect electrofishing operations. If a thunderstorm is in the vicinity, immediately stop all electrofishing operations and get off the water. Avoid electrofishing operations near bystanders, pets, or livestock that are in or near the water.

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