Geochemical signatures in the otoliths of diadromous fishes may allow for retrospective analyses of natal origins. In an assessment of river-specific signatures in American shad (Alosa sapidissima), an anadromous clupeid native to the Atlantic coast of North America, stable isotope and elemental ratios in otoliths of juvenile American shad produced accurate natal tags from 12 rivers. Significan...

Migrating fish traversing velocity barriers are often forced to swim at speeds greater than their maximum sustained speed (U(ms)). Failure to select an appropriate swim speed under these conditions can prevent fish from successfully negotiating otherwise passable barriers. I propose a new model of a distance-maximizing strategy for fishes traversing velocity barriers, derived from the relations...

Investigations on juvenile American shad (Alosa sapidissima) revealed several physiological changes associated with downstream migration. Plasma chloride decreased 20% in wild juvenile shad during the autumn migration. Migrants had lower condition factor and hematocrit than non-migrant shad captured by beach seining. Gill Na+,K+-ATPase activity of migrant shad was higher than non-migrant; a 2.5...

—We estimated the variation in instantaneous rates of growth (G) and mortality (M) between intraannual cohorts of juvenile American shad Alosa sapidissima in the Pamunkey River, Virginia. The ages of juveniles captured by push net during the juvenile abundance index surveys in 1998 and 1999 were estimated by counting daily rings on the sagittal otoliths. Weight-at-age and abundance-at-age data ...

—Variation in habitat suitability can alter the growth and mortality of early life stages of fishes but is often difficult to measure, quantify, and apply to the entire system. We designed and tested habitat suitability index (HSI) models incorporating both proximate riverine parameters and surrounding landscape features as determinates of optimal spawning and nursery areas for American shad Al...

Kuwait's “Blue Economy” project aims to help replace the country's oil and gas income by sustainable development of its marine resources. The fishing industry has a prime place in project, but nine main fish species Kuwait have recently declined Rubian (Shrimp), Zobaidi (Silver Pomfret), Suboor (Hilsa Shad), Naqroor (Javelin Grunter), Hamoor (Orange-Spotted Grouper), Hamra (Malabar Blood Snappe...

The analysis of net catches made in Absheron Gulfs of the Caspian Sea during 2011-2012 is provided. The ichthyofauna of Absheron Gulfs, including 26 species found in the North Gulf, and 33 species and subspecies found in the South Gulf was studied for the first time. A taxonomical and ecological diversity of the fish fauna of North and South Absheron Gulfs is characterized. The peculiarities of...

Global warming has increased the frequency of extreme climate events, yet responses of biological and human communities are poorly understood, particularly for aquatic ecosystems and fisheries. Retrospective analysis of known outcomes may provide insights into the nature of adaptations and trajectory of subsequent conditions. We consider the 1815 eruption of the Indonesian volcano Tambora and i...