Spring Sampling of Larval Yellow Perch Completed

Type: Tidal
Region: Southern
Location: Tidal Tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River

The Fisheries Habitat and Ecosystem Project (FHEP) have completed its spring sampling of larval Yellow Perch in the Potomac, Upper Bay, and Eastern shore tributaries. Yellow Perch sampling is conducted in March and continues through April. Ichthyoplankton nets are towed behind a boat for 2 minutes and the nets are examined to determine if Yellow Perch larvae are present/absent. The data collected during this study will be compared to historical data to determine the survival rates of larval Yellow Perch in the rivers sampled. In addition, any Yellow Perch post-larvae will be collected for gut analysis, guts will be analyzed for fullness and food content. This study investigates whether feeding success and diet composition (1) influenced Yellow Perch presence and (2) reflected the level of development indicated by counts of structures per hectare (C/ha) from tax maps. The Yellow Perch larvae will then be analyzed for the ratio of ribonucleic acid (RNA) concentration to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) concentration in body tissue. The RNA:DNA ratio can provide connections to feeding success and larval condition.

Starting this week, the FHEP crew will be out fry seining in a few of the Potomac, Upper Bay, and Eastern shore tributaries. FHEP is interested in the presence/absence of Yellow Perch fry.

To find out more about the Yellow Perch larval projects mentioned above and other projects FHEP conducts, check out the FHEP website on the MD DNR Fisheries Services webpage or click the following link http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/fhep/index.asp.