Risk of capture is modified by hypoxia and interjurisdictional migration of Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis)

Scientific Reports
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Abstract

Interjurisdictional migrations lead to seasonally changing patterns of exploitation risk, emphasizing the importance of spatially explicit approaches to fishery management. Understanding how risk changes along a migration route supports time-area based fishery management, but quantifying risk can be complicated when multiple fishing methods are geographically segregated and when bycatch species are considered. Further, habitat selection in dynamic environments can influence migration behavior, interacting with other management objectives such as water quality and habitat restoration. As a case study, we examined a novel acoustic telemetry data set for Lake Whitefish in Lake Erie, where they migrate through multiple spatial management units that are variably affected by seasonal hypoxia and host a variety of fisheries. Combining telemetry results with fishery catch and water quality monitoring, we demonstrate three exploitation risk scenarios: i) high risk due to high residency and high catch, ii) high risk due to high residency in time-areas with moderate catch, and iii) low risk due to residency in time-areas with low catch. Interestingly, occupation of low risk refugia was increased by the development of hypoxia in adjacent areas. Consequently, fishery management goals to sustainably manage other target species may be directly and indirectly linked to water quality management goals through Lake Whitefish.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Risk of capture is modified by hypoxia and interjurisdictional migration of Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis)
Series title Scientific Reports
DOI 10.1038/s41598-024-65147-5
Volume 14
Issue 1
Publication Date August 05, 2024
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher Springer Nature
Contributing office(s) Great Lakes Science Center
Description 180061, 13 p.
Country Canada, United Sates
Other Geospatial Lake Erie
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