Project Number: 6402-31000-008-08
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jul 01, 1999
End Date: Jun 30, 2004

Objective:
Utilize acoustic instrumentation and technology to monitor and evaluate channel catfish reproductive performance in earthen ponds, tanks, and cages, and determine unique behaviors associated with subacute sick fish.

Approach:
Acoustic instrumentation will be developed and tested to monitor fish movement and behavior during reproduction in earthen ponds, spawning tanks and cages. Instrumentation will characterize ambient noise during the reproductive season and identify and characterize catfish sounds during mating behavior and spawning. Comparisons between successful and unsuccessful reproduction may lead to predictive abilities and methods to identify fish with a high probability for spawning success before the spawning season and improve spawning efficiency. The performing organization, The National Center for Physical Acoustics, will provide one semi-annual and an annual report.