Assessment of Reintroduction of American Eel into Buffalo Creek (Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania)

Abstract American Eel Anguilla rostrata populations along the Atlantic coast of United States have been in decline over past several decades. One suggested cause is construction barriers that block access to upstream tributaries where they can spend a significant portion their lives. Success reintroduction efforts above has rarely evaluated. Within Susquehanna River (Chesapeake Bay watershed), 1 million eels were released four major downstream decade. We used backpack electrofishing and tagging monitor growth, sexual differentiation, population density reintroduced Buffalo Creek, tributary (Pennsylvania). From 2012 2019, we caught 2,000 individuals, tagged more than 1,800, recaptured 229. Recaptured provided insight into movement. Nearly 99% recaptures remained near stocking locations. The average growth rate was 47.8 mm/y ranged between −5.8 116.0 mm/y. Females generally grew significantly faster males, rates females exceeded 100 mm/y, typically associated with estuarine residents. within sites 2,300 eels/km, roughly times higher below most dam, target goal 529 eels/km. While areas sampled locations, captured some smaller away from Our study first examine how grow following dams on River. suggest managers considering moving blockages account for release location achieve desired benefits overall population.