How did that get here?

Southeastern rivers and streams have more species of aquatic animals—fishes, mussels, turtles, and salamanders—than anywhere else in the country. Hiding in all of this diversity, however, are alien species--an animal or plant that has been introduced through human activity outside of its native range. Many species that we commonly seen in Tennessee, like bighead carp or even redbreast sunfish, are not native to this region.

Alien species may also be known as nonnative, invasive, introduced, or nuisance species. There are several ways that a species may be introduced into a waterway outside of its native range. Sometimes humans put them there on purpose, such as stocking fish that are popular for recreational and sports fishers. Sometimes nonnative species are introduced by well-intentioned people releasing fish from their home aquariums without thinking about the impact on the environment. Some introductions happen unintentionally. Commercial shipping is a major transporter of invasive species in U.S. bays, major rivers, and the Great Lakes. Ships will take in water, called ballast water, in one area to maintain balance as they travel across oceans and rivers. There are almost always small organisms in that water. When ships reach their destination, they release the water, and with it, any organisms that were taken in at the original port. Many shipping ports now have regulations about releasing ballast water, but this has historically been a major pathway for introductions of nuisance species in the Great Lakes.

Over the next few weeks, we will highlight some different invasive freshwater species and their impact on both humans and the environment. Most are species that can be found in the Chattanooga area, Tennessee, and the southeastern United States. Stay tuned!

Redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus) is one of the many invasive aquatic species found in Tennessee waterways. From http://fish.dnr.cornell.edu/nyfish/Centrarchidae/redbreast_sunfish.html

Here's a video from our friends at TRGT that we wanted to share

Watching this video makes us want to go for a hike or a paddle!

Sturgeon Sightings Close to Home!

It's always nice to open up my email inbox and find a picture like this:

Ron Simons proudly shows off a lake sturgeon from the Tennessee River.

Over the weekend, Sam Simons and his father, Ron, went fishing below Chickamauga Dam here in Chattanooga.  I'll let Sam tell the rest of the story:

I hooked a good fish after awhile and handed it to Dad, then it made a jump. I'm assuming, oh it's a nice sized smallmouth. I didn't see the jump, only heard it. Then, it peels a fair amount of drag. Dad gets tired after awhile and hands the rod to me. Now, we are below the railroad bridge. I am totally confused by this point, as it was big and agile, so I didn't think it was a drum or blue. It would have been a world record smallmouth. What is this? Dad gets his energy back and I pass the rod. We got the big surprise of the year, a sturgeon! Holy cow, what a fight and I have never held one before, only got to pet them at the aquarium. It was really cool.  We released it right after the photo and it swam off fine.

If you are lucky enough to catch a sturgeon in Tennessee, don't forget to report it to our partners, TWRA.  Please call the toll free number for your regional office (click here to find the number) or the Fish Management Division at (615) 781-6575.  You will be asked to provide your name, address, and phone number and the following information about your catch: when and where you caught it, an approximate length, and what you were using for bait.  In appreciation of your report, TWRA will issue you a numbered Lake Sturgeon Certificate that features a color reproduction of a lake sturgeon drawn by renowned wildlife artist Joseph R. Tomelleri.

Most importantly, please make sure you release the fish after your photo so other lucky anglers have the chance to catch these river giants!  Thanks for the story and the photo, Sam!

Back at Colvard Spring with New Friends

This past Monday, TNACI got to start the next phase of our Colvard Spring restoration project with new help!  The conservation department at the Atlanta Botanical Garden has been growing the endangered Tennessee yellow-eyed grass (Xyris tennesseensis) to restore it in springs in the Southeast.  We’re incredibly thrilled to have them join our team so we can continue returning this spring to a more natural state.  Because we don’t yet know what “microhabitat” the grass will grow best in, we planted over 500 plants in soil ranging from muddy to pebbly.  Our next steps will be to tackle the invasive plant species problem in the area and to create a management plan for the coldwater darter population.

Dr. Jenny Cruse-Sanders, Director of Conservation and Research at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, plants Tennessee yellow-eyed grass along the banks of the spring.

To see more photos from our day, “like” the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute on Facebook!

Earth Day Sturgeon Release!

As part of the Aquarium’s Earth Day celebrations, we released 35 lake sturgeon into the Tennessee River at Coolidge Park with the help of some enthusiastic students from Ivy Academy and UTC. 

While most of our sturgeon are released in the fall at only six to eight inches, these larger fish (up to 18 pounds!) were held for a longer time because we know that increases their chances of survival in the wild.  However, it takes more resources to hold them and they don't get as much time to learn how to be a wild fish, so we use both strategies for this program.  Even though they are six to seven years old, these fish are still juveniles—lake sturgeon don’t reach reproductive maturity until they are teenagers, just like humans.

How many cameras can you spot in this picture?  We're grateful for all the news stories we received.

Thanks to TWRA for their partnership and support!  Lyle and Dan drove down from the Normandy hatchery to transport the fish for us, and Bobby Wilson (Chief of Fisheries) and Jason came down from Nashville to join the fun.

It's always nice to see the next generation of conservation biologists join us on the river for Earth Day!

Interview with Conasauga River Alliance Director Joshua Smith on a new canoe access ramp

 On February 14th I was able to join a good friend and colleague Josh Smith in helping to construct a new "green" canoe access ramp on the Conasauga River.  After spending the day working with Josh, a host of contractors, community members, and a Boy Scout troop, I asked Josh a few questions about his work with the Conasauga River Alliance (CRA) and about the new boat ramps being constructed to promote access to paddlers and fishermen on the Conasauga River.



Q:  What are your title, job, and responsibilities with the CRA?

Coconut fiber logs stabilizing the

stream bank

A:  My title is Watershed Director of the Conasauga River Alliance.  While fundraising and ensuring organizational sustainability are key parts of my job, a large portion of my time is spent managing projects for the organization.  This management includes obtaining and implementing grants from various sources.  Our main funding source for projects originates from the EPA’s non-point source pollution reduction grants.  These “Clean Water Act” grants typically fund projects that reduce pollutants in runoff in an attempt to bring the water quality of our streams into compliance with state standards.  Many of our clean water projects focus on improving the quality of agricultural runoff, but we also help low-income citizens afford septic system repair in residential areas.

Q:  Tell us a little bit about the canoe access ramp.  Where is it located?  Why did you choose this location?  Are there other canoe access ramps being built?

A:  The Conasauga Canoe Access project is a multi-faceted endeavor that required “grass roots” support to complete.  The canoe “put-in” is located in Beaverdale, GA.  This location was chosen due to the fact that it was used heavily by locals attempting to access the river.  This spot was essentially “loved to death”.  Severe bank and floodplain erosion was caused by heavy vehicle and foot traffic, despite the fact that it was initially difficult to launch a canoe or kayak from.  Our goals of the project at Beaverdale were to block vehicle access while providing a parking area, stabilize the river bank and floodplain to reduce erosion, install educational signage discussing the biodiversity of the river system, and provide an easy opportunity to access the river.

A canoe “take-out” was constructed downstream of Beaverdale next to Norton Bridge.  This effort was conducted by Dalton Utilities, which has been a partner on several of our other projects.  They have produced an access point, as well as a parking area.  Thanks to their generosity, the public can now enjoy a 3 – 5 hour float on the Conasauga River without the struggle of worrying how to get your boat in or out of the river.

Q:  Where is the funding for this project coming from?

A:  This project was funded by a Clean Water Act (Section 319) non-point source pollution reduction grant, as well as a grant from World Wildlife Fund and Coca-Cola.

Q:  Who else has been involved in the project?  Did you have any volunteers help?

A:  Our main project partner on this project (aside from the funding sources) is Dalton Utilities.  They have constructed their own canoe ramp downstream from ours.  This will serve as the “take out” spot for many enthusiasts that use the river.  Overall, this endeavor had many volunteers, and couldn’t have been completed without discounted services and materials from multiple sources.  This was truly a “grass-roots” community project.

One local Boy Scout used a portion of this construction as his Eagle Scout project, and rallied his fellow scouts to help on multiple volunteer Saturdays in order to complete a foot trail to the river.  The educational signage and bathroom was constructed “at-cost” by a local contractor who simply loves to support community projects (Rick Pippen; North Georgia Agricultural Fairgrounds).  Vulcan Materials gave us quite a discount on limestone rock that was needed to expand the parking area and prevent vehicle access to the river bank.  

Q:  What should canoeists expect to see when they canoe on the Conasauga?  Are there other recreational opportunities along the river?

A:  This is the first access point to be provided on the Conasauga River outside of the National Forest(s).  When canoeing down the river, you should expect to see a multitude of fish swimming under your boat.  The Conasauga River has over 70 species of fish, and you constantly see silhouettes darting as you paddle down.  Fishing is very popular in the area, and most local paddlers bring along a rod and reel.  If you visit, you may also see people fishing from the bank in several areas.

The waterfowl is seasonally abundant, and I have personally seen several species of duck, as well as blue heron and sandhill cranes.  Whitetail deer and raccoons are some of the more common encounters.  Some lucky paddlers have been fortunate enough to view river otters during their float.
The banks of the Conasauga are well vegetated, so during the summer there is abundant shade.  This vegetation also makes you feel like you are miles away, although you are only about 20 minutes from Dalton.  This section of the Conasauga is perfect for beginning paddlers, since most of the challenging rapids are further upstream in the mountains.  The flow of the river varies with the precipitation, but the spring and fall typically provide a relaxing pace perfect for enjoying the scenery.

 

Q:  What are the long term benefits of this project?  What do you hope to accomplish?

Cocnut fiber logs being used to create the canoe

ramp.

A:  The main goal of this project is to promote conservation within the Conasauga Watershed.  Accomplishing this goal can be somewhat difficult if there is no access to the river.  In order for the residents and visitors to develop a relationship with the Conasauga, they need to be in it, or be able to spend time on its banks.  In addition, they need to be aware of the ecological significance of the river.  We hope that the recreation will draw people to the access sites, and that they will learn about the river from our educational signage.  In short, we hope to promote conservation in the Conasauga Watershed through education and recreation.

It is also our hope that our efforts will show the local counties and cities the benefits of river access points.  If this can be accomplished, adding additional points upstream or downstream would be extremely cost-effective (especially when compared to building a hiking trail or mountain bike path).  By expanding the options for paddlers, the river may attract a more diverse group of recreationists that would aid in spreading our message of conservation.





Fiber matting will provide erosion control and a

place for plants to take root and further stabilize

the stream bank.





-Lee Friedlander, TNACI Conservation Associate

Big News from our conservation partners at Conservation Fisheries, Inc.!

Our friends at Conservation Fisheries, Inc. in Knoxville, TN just announced the first ever propagation of the extremely rare Conasauga logperch (Percina jenkinsi)!  CFI has had repeated success with the captive propagation of rare and imperiled southeastern fish, and we are happy to share their exciting news.

Conasauga logperch are one of the rarest vertebrates in the world, with the entire population estimated to be only a few hundred fish.  They are found from only about 20 miles of the Conasauga River in northern Georgia and extreme southeastern Tennessee.  They inhabit rocky riffles with fast, clear, clean water.  Their habitat is under threat from erosion and poor agricultural land use practices.  TNACI partnered with CFI to collect a small sample of adults for a pilot propagation program.  We also participated in some population assessments and will be conducting some genetic analysis of the population.  This information will help with making conservation decisions that best meet the needs of this extremely rare fish


The larvae you see in the video below are the first fruits of this partnership.




Here is some video of the adults demonstrating their nest excavation behavior in captivity at CFI.




And finally, here is some video CFI captured of Conasauga logperch demonstrating feeding behavior in the wild.



We'll keep you posted on CFI's progress!

-Lee Friedlander, TNACI Conservation Associate