Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Periodic counts for estimating the size of the spawning population of alewives,Alosa pseudoharengus (Wilson)

  • Short Papers and Notes
  • Published:
Estuaries Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The number of migrating alewives in the Parker River, Massachusetts, can be counted visually by standing at the upper end of each of the 6 fish ladders in the system. Estimating the entire run of up to a month’s duration by this procedure is not economically feasible, but we suggest a subsampling procedure that can provide sufficient accuracy and be economical. The reliability of periodic sample counts when used to estimate population numbers of anadromous alewives (Alosa pseudoharengus) was indicated by the low variance of paired counts, small random errors of individual counts, and by the low variability between counts on days of large runs in the Parker River. Analyses of computer-simulated runs using actual data suggested that short counts taken frequently are superior to longer counts taken less often. Both field and computer-simulated data suggested that ten-minute counts taken hourly will estimate the true population of alewife runs within 10% error at the .05 level of probability.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Literature Cited

  • Becker, C. D. 1962. Estimating red salmon escapements by sample counts from observation towers. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv.,Fish. Bull. 61(192):355–369.

    Google Scholar 

  • Belding, D. L. 1921. A report upon the alewife fisheries of Massachusetts. Marine Fisheries Ser. No. 1 Mass. Div. Marine Fisheries. 135 p.

  • Beltz, J. R. 1975. Movement and behavior of adult anadromous alewives,Alosa pseudoharengus (Wilson), in the Parker River, Massachusetts. M. Sc. Thesis. Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst. 65 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, R. H. 1961. Early life history and spawning migration of the alewife,Alosa pseudoharengus. M. S. Thesis. Univ. of Rhode Island, Kingston, R.I. 58 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Decker, L. F. 1967. Fishways in Maine. Maine Dept. Inland Fish. and Game, Augusta, 47 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dominy, L. C. 1971. Evaluation of a pool and weir fishway for passage of alewives (Alosa pseudoharengus) at White Rock, Gaspereau River, Nova Scotia. Can. Dept. Fish. For Serv. Prog. Report. 3: 22 p.

  • — 1973. Effect of entrance-pool weir elevation and fish density on passage of alewives (Alosa pseudoharengus) in a pool and weir fishway.Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 101(2):398–404.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jerome, W. C., Jr., A. P. Chesmore, and C. O. Anderson, Jr. 1968. A study of the marine resources of the Parker River-Plum Island estuary. Mono. Ser. No. 6. Mass. Div. Marine Fisheries. 81 p.

  • Mayo, R. K. 1974. Population structure, movement, and fecundity of the anadromous alewife,Alosa pseudoharengus (Wilson), in the Parker River, Massachusetts 1971–1972. M. S. Thesis, Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst. 118 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richkus, W. A. 1974. Factors influencing the seasonal and daily patterns of alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) migration in a Rhode Island river.J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 31:1485–1497.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rideout, S. G. 1974. Population estimate, movement, and biological characteristics of anadromous alewives,Alosa pseudoharengus (Wilson) utilizing the Parker River, Massachusetts in 1971–1972. M. Sc. Thesis. Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst. 183 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saila, S. B., T. T. Polgar, D. J. Sheehy, andJ. M. Flowers. 1972. Correlations between alewife activity and environmental variables at a fishway.Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 101:583–594.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steel, R. G. D., andJ. H. Torrie. 1960. Principles and procedures in statistics. McGraw-Hill, New York. 481 p.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Stephen G. Rideout

    Present address: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 02158, Newton Corner, Massachusetts

  2. James E. Johnson

    Present address: Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Massachusetts Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, University of Massachusetts, 01003, Amherst, Massachusetts

    Stephen G. Rideout

  2. Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, University of Massachusetts, 01003, Amherst, Massachusetts

    James E. Johnson & Charles F. Cole

Authors
  1. Stephen G. Rideout
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. James E. Johnson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Charles F. Cole
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Contribution No. 56 of The Massachusetts Cooperative Fishery Research Unit jointly sponsored by the U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Based on a Master’s thesis submitted by S. G. Rideout in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science from the University of Massachusetts.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rideout, S.G., Johnson, J.E. & Cole, C.F. Periodic counts for estimating the size of the spawning population of alewives,Alosa pseudoharengus (Wilson). Estuaries 2, 119–123 (1979). https://doi.org/10.2307/1351636

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/1351636

Keywords

Search

Navigation