School of Environment and Natural Resources assistant professor Suzanne Gray was recently awarded funding through Ohio Sea Grant’s research grants program to investigate the ecological and economic impact of algal and sedimentary turbidity on the recreational fishery in Lake Erie.
The new project, “Can fish see the bait on the hook? Linking the effects of algal and sedimentary turbidity on fish vision to the Lake Erie recreational fishery through research and outreach” will investigate responses in visual abilities of two important Lake Erie fishes, a forage fish (Emerald Shiner, Notropis atherinoides) and an economically important game fish (Walleye, Sander vitreus) and measure how their abilities may vary by form and levels of turbidity.
Algal and sedimentary turbidity alters the underwater light environment in different ways, which may impact visual abilities of fish, which in turn can impact foraging behaviors and ultimately have a socio-economic impact on recreational anglers.
The project will also engage charter captains in a citizen-science assessment of the types and colors of bait that are successful under different turbidity conditions.
The combined findings from the research will be used to determine the effectiveness of lure colors under different environmental conditions, which have implications for the recreational fishery in Lake Erie.
Co-investigators on the project include associate professor Jeremy Bruskotter and aquatic ecosystems program director Eugene Braig.
Photo caption: Emerald shiners at Stone Lab.
Photo credit: Chelsey Nieman
Photo credit: Chelsey Nieman
November 2015.