Influence of water quality, local knowledge and river–floodplain connectivity on commercial wild crayfish harvesting in the Atchafalaya River Basin
Abstract
Water quality and river connectivity influence fisheries, but their role is not understood in wild crayfish harvest, or how water quality and river connectivity are incorporated into crayfish harvest strategies. In Louisiana, wild harvesting practices were evaluated with field observations and interviews with individual harvesters. Field observations included trap locations, water quality, water stable isotopes (2016) and habitat components over two seasons (2015 and 2016). Traps were set in less turbid water (NTU 40% respondents; a surrogate for turbidity and connectivity) in harvesting initiation and trap locations. Harvesters appeared to follow lateral water movements onto and within the floodplain, likely based on local environmental knowledge.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Apr 12, 2020
- Source ID
- 10.1111/fme.12422
Entities
People
- Christopher P. Bonvillain
- Ivan A. Vargas‐lopez
- Michael D. Kaller
- Richard F. Keim
- William E. Kelso
Organizations
- Louisiana State University
- National Institute of Food and Agriculture
- Nicholls State University
- United States Army Corps of Engineers