2005 Annual Report 1.What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? Depredation by bird species, in addition to causing direct losses to the fish producer, is estimated to cost producers approximately $17,200 per operation/year, or approximately $17 million nationwide. Developing adaptive management strategies that will minimize depredation should significantly reduce the cost of production, potentially increase the industry’s growth, and improve the health of cultured species without deleterious effects on wildlife species and their associated habitats. Piscivorous birds (especially double-crested cormorants, American white pelicans, egrets, and herons) and other vertebrate predators (notably mammals, turtles, and snakes) can cause significant direct and indirect losses to the aquaculture industry. In the 1996 and 2004 national survey of catfish producers, depredation by great blue herons and cormorants was the most commonly cited wildlife problem; 77% of Mississippi producers, 66% of Arkansas producers, and 50% of Alabama producers cited losses due only to cormorants. Catfish losses to double-crested cormorants (referred to as cormorants hereafter), one of six cormorant species breeding in North America, have been well documented. Losses due to cormorants have been estimated at $5 million within the Mississippi catfish industry alone, which is equivalent to 4% of the fingerling class fish. Additionally, many of the infectious diseases in fish have bird vectors (carriers) that contribute to an estimated $71.4 million loss to the industry. These losses have been exacerbated in recent years by the doubling of wintering cormorant numbers and an increase in other fish-eating birds within the aquaculture production areas. Economic losses due to fish-eating birds are also increasing farm costs and reducing net returns. Fish farmers are limited to nonlethal harassment methods and limited lethal removal methods of cormorants, pelicans, and other migratory birds because these species are protected by federal laws (e.g., the Migratory Bird Treaty Act 1936, 1972) and regulated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). Additionally, birds that inhabit fish culture ponds are also vectors for several types of parasitic diseases that can greatly impact profits of fish farmers. Tapeworm and trematode infestations in some propagated fish are major disease problems. Minimizing digenetic trematodes and associated diseases can be attained by preventing birds from landing in fish ponds, since the trematodes must pass through a bird. Pragmatically, our current knowledge of these predators is inadequate to develop effective integrated management strategies to minimize depredation on aquaculture. The lack of basic information and adaptive management strategies minimizing the interactions between single species or multiple predator species within aquaculture areas has hampered the development of improved management. Specifically, little or no information is available on understanding migratory and nonmigratory bird movements, demographics, or the behavior of these bird species. Thus, basic and applied studies on management techniques, evaluation of management efforts while knowing the numbers of predators present, and accurate assessment of spatial and temporal relationships are critically needed. There are three broad objectives in our efforts at resolving the bird depredation problem. (1) To develop techniques, or devices, that will non-lethally exclude fish-eating birds from aquaculture ponds. (2) To collect, maintain, and disseminate data about the number of cormorants and other fish-eating birds wintering within the aquaculture region of Arkansas. And (3) to understand the biological parameters of spatio-temporal patterns in the various fish-eating birds’ behavior and management. This research coincides with target areas in Component 7 of the “Aquaculture Production Systems” (NP 106 - Aquaculture). Specifically, this project focuses exclusively on all components of Part D (Predator and Fowl Control). Attaining these objectives will provide benefits to aquaculturalists, fish health providers, Extension Service personnel, scientists at universities, state, and federal agencies, and ultimately, the public, that will result in increased farmer profitability by reducing economic losses caused by fish-eating birds. Specifically, producers of any cultured aquaculture species (catfish, baitfish, tilapia, hybrid striped bass, crawfish, shrimp, etc.) and in any system (ponds, cages, water-reuse systems, etc.) will benefit. Scientists and policy-makers will benefit from basic knowledge of adaptive management strategies to minimize depredation and the factors influencing the current standing depredation order and national management plan for cormorants. Consumers demanding safe and wholesome fish products free of diseases vectored by birds and other potential predators will benefit. State and federal agencies (Extension, Regulatory and Natural Resource Departments; United States Department of Agriculture/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service/Wildlife Services (USDA/APHIS/WS), U.S. Department of Interior branches of Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Geological Survey (USGS) will benefit greatly through enhanced understanding of intra- and interspecific predator interactions. 2.List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. Year 1 (FY 2005) Determine if avian predators are selecting aquaculture ponds that have a particular water quality trait, such as a particular reflective color on ponds. Demonstrate effectiveness of physical barrier system and deviations of applied design at fish ponds. Collect birds for fatty acid analysis and recover prey remains from various fishponds and natural ecosystems. Compare physical barrier treatment with an alternative technique: water dye and Scarebots. Determine numbers of fish-eating birds within aquaculture producing areas in southeastern Arkansas via aerial surveys and coordinate a midwinder count within the State. Year 2 (FY 2006) Compare integrated management techniques at fish ponds to determine effectiveness at a various spatial and temporal scales. Compare physical barrier treatment with an alternative technique, specifically Scarebots. Continuation and assessment of numbers of fish-eating birds within aquaculture producing areas in southeastern Arkansas via aerial surveys and assess the national cormorant management plan based on these findings. Initiate a 3-year study to determine fidelity and spatio-temporal use of roost sites in southeastern Arkansas. Year 3 (FY 2007) Initiate a comparison studies on integrated management techniques at fish ponds to determine effectiveness at a various spatial and temporal scales. Continuation and assessment of numbers of fish-eating birds within aquaculture producing areas in southeastern Arkansas via aerial surveys as the national cormorant plan is implemented. Second-year study to determine fidelity and spatio-temporal use of roost sites in southeastern Arkansas. Year 4 (FY 2008) Completion of a 3-year comparison study on integrated management techniques at fishponds to determine the effectiveness at a various spatial and temporal scales. Continuation and assessment of numbers of fish-eating birds within aquaculture producing areas in southeastern Arkansas via aerial surveys as the national cormorant plan is implemented. Continuation of the study to determine fidelity and spatio-temporal use of roost sites in southeastern Arkansas using radio- and GPS satellite transmitters. Year 5 (FY 2009) Modify integrated bird management techniques at fish ponds as determined from the 3-year study to determine the appropriate effectiveness at a various spatial and temporal scales. Completion and assessment of numbers of fish-eating birds within aquaculture producing areas in southeastern Arkansas via aerial surveys as the national cormorant plan is implemented. Initiate a new study to determine fidelity and spatio-temporal use of roost sites in southeastern Arkansas using radio- and GPS satellite transmitters. 4a.What was the single most significant accomplishment this past year? Data Disseminated about the Number of Cormorants and other Fish-Eating Birds Wintering near Aquaculture. Scientists at the HKD Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center conducted aerial surveys in a fixed-wing aircraft for the fifth consecutive year to document double-crested cormorant, American white pelican, and other fish-eating bird numbers within the catfish production regions of southeastern Arkansas. Trends in cormorant numbers, movements, and duration of use at roosting sites within catfish-producing regions of southeastern Arkansas were determined. This information documented that bird numbers and numbers of roost sites are quite constant, with some variability in the time of year certain roosts are used. The impact of this accomplishment provides the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) reliable data to address and formulate new population estimates necessary for assessing the national cormorant management plan. 4b.List other significant accomplishments, if any. None. 4c.List any significant activities that support special target populations. None. 5.Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. Collected, maintained, and disseminated data about the number of cormorants and other fish-eating birds wintering near aquaculture. Aerial surveys in a fixed-wing aircraft were conducted for the fifth consecutive year to document double-crested cormorant, American white pelican, and other fish-eating bird numbers within the catfish production regions of southeastern Arkansas. Trends in cormorant numbers, movements, and duration of use at roosting sites within catfish-producing regions of southeastern Arkansas were determined. This information documented that bird numbers and numbers of roost sites are quite constant, with some variability in the time of year certain roosts are used. The impact of this accomplishment provides the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) reliable data to address and formulate new population estimates necessary for assessing the national cormorant management plan. This research coincides with target areas in Component 7 of the “Aquaculture Production Systems” (NP 106 - Aquaculture). Specifically, this project focuses exclusively on all components of Part D (Predator and Fowl Control). This accomplishment can be linked to ARS Strategic Plan Objective 1.2: Contribute to the Efficiency of Agricultural Production Systems and specifically Performance Measures 1.2.1 and 1.2.5; and Objective 3.2 – Develop and Deliver Science-Based Information and Technologies to Reduce the Number of Severity of Agricultural Pest, Insect, Weed, and Disease Outbreaks and specifically Performance Measures 3.2.1 and 3.2.3. The potential customers of this 5-year plan are fish farmers of any cultured aquaculture species (catfish, baitfish, tilapia, hybrid striped bass, crawfish, shrimp, etc.) and in any system (ponds, cages, water-reuse systems, etc.). Scientists and policy-makers will benefit from basic knowledge of adaptive management strategies to minimize depredation and the factors influencing the current standing depredation order and national management plan for cormorants. Wildlife and fisheries extension agents and consultants will have more depredation methodologies available for recommendations to their end-users. Ultimately, consumers demanding safe and wholesome fish products will benefit. Attaining the objectives of this 5-year project will provide benefits to farmers, biologists, scientists, policy-makers and the public, which will result in increased economic growth by helping to overcome depredation issues. Environmentally friendly, effective, and affordable techniques to minimize bird predation will become available not only to large commercial producers of a single species, but also to small, rural fish farmers and producers of any aquatic species that frequently succumb to depredation. 6.What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end-user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? Results of research studies and technologies developed were made available to customers and the general public through oral presentations (technical and non technical), poster presentations at local, state, national and international meetings, and scientific papers. 7.List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). Radomski, A.A., Freeman, D. 2004. Cormorant numbers at core fish production areas. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Aquaculture Field Day. Hogue, C. 2005. Cormorant deterrent systems for moderate size farms. Thad Cochran National Warmwater Aquaculture Center Newsletter. 8(1):3. Core, J. 2005. Agricultural aircraft offer a different view of remote sensing. Agricultural Research Magazine. March 2005. p. 20-21. Review Publications Radomski, A.A. 2004. Inadequacies of over-wintering population estimates of double-crested cormorants and conspecifics from aquaculture production sites and surrounding areas [abstract]. American Ornithologists' Union Annual Meeting. p. 165. Radomski, A.A., Thomson, S.J. 2004. Can manipulating pond color minimize double-crested cormorant depredation at fishponds [abstract]. American Ornithologists' Union Annual Meeting. p. 69.