Document Type
Report
Department/Program
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Publication Date
9-1-2008
Abstract
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) adopted the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the American eel in November 1999. The FMP focuses on increasing coastal states’ efforts to collect American eel data through both fishery-dependent and fishery-independent studies. Consequently, member jurisdictions agreed to implement an annual survey for young of the year (YOY) American eels. The survey is intended to “…characterize trends in annual recruitment of the YOY eels over time [to produce a] qualitative appraisal of the annual recruitment of American eel to the U.S. Atlantic Coast” (ASMFC, 2000). The development of these surveys began in 2000 with full implementation by 2001. Survey results should provide necessary data on coastal recruitment success and further understanding of American eel population dynamics. A recent American eel stock assessment report (ASMFC, 3 2006) emphasized the importance of the coast-wide survey as an index of sustained recruitment over the historical coastal range and an early warning of potential range contraction of the species. The Virginia Institute of Marine Science continued its spring sampling to estimate relative abundance of YOY American eels in the Potomac River. Funding was provided by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission, which ensured compliance with the 1999 ASMFC Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Eels.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21220/V5J023
Keywords
American Eel, Potomac River, Anguilla rostrata, Fisheries
Funding
This project was funded by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission under NOAA Grant #NA06NMF4740101, segment: July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008.
Recommended Citation
Fabrizio, M. C., & Tuckey, T. D. (2008) Evaluating Recruitment of American Eel, Anguilla rostrata, to the Potomac River (Spring 2008). Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary. https://doi.org/10.21220/V5J023
