**Number range CHAPTERFISHERY RESPONSE PLAN**

**[FISHERY RESPONSE PLAN]{.underline}**

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has management authority for
anadromous fish species, interjurisdictional (coastal) fishes, and those
inland threatened or endangered species under a variety of laws
including but not limited to, the Endangered Species Act, Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Act, Anadromous Fish Conservation Act, Atlantic
Striped Bass Conservation Act, New England Fishery Resources Restoration
Act, and the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Resources Restoration Act
(Appendix 1). The FWS maintains a position as the trustee representative
under the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), and the Oil
Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA) for those species that it manages.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has
management authority over marine and estuarine fishes under a variety of
laws, including the Endangered Species Act and the Magnuson Fishery
Conservation and Management Act. The NOAA has trustee responsibilities
under the CWA, the CERCLA, and the OPA; and is authorized to manage or
protect marine fish during oil discharges and releases of hazardous
materials.

The individual States have responsibility for all fishes within their
State boundaries except where Federal law supersedes.

**Specific Susceptibilities**

Fish are exposed to discharged oil or its effects in the water column
through several mechanisms, including: absorption of the volatiles,
eating contaminated food items, direct contact (i.e. contamination of
gills, floating egg masses with surface oil), etc.

Death of fish beyond the larval and juvenile stages usually requires a
heavy exposure to petroleum. Consequently, it is unlikely that large
numbers of adult fish in large bodies of water would be killed by
petroleum. However, suffocation can occur when oxygen transport across
gill surfaces is obstructed by a coating of oil. Acute toxicity data do
not adequately reflect the potential impact of oil contamination to
aquatic organisms, although it occurs frequently during spills of
volatile petroleum products in near shore areas. Chronic exposure to low
concentrations of PAHs in water, sediment, or food produces sublethal
responses in many aquatic organisms. Sublethal effects of oil on fish
include changes in heart and respiratory rate, enlarged livers, reduced
growth, fin erosion, a variety of biochemical and cellular changes,
reproductive and behavioral responses. In addition, chronic exposure to
certain PAHs may induce genetic abnormalities and/or cause cancer in
sensitive species.

The health and marketability of fish and shellfish stocks are always a
concern during discharges of oil and especially when the use of
dispersants in a particular area is considered. The use of dispersants
may increase the potential for tainting of fish and shellfish resources
by increasing the concentration of oil in the water column. Very little
information is available on this effect. In fact, in a 1993 Marine Spill
Response Corporation technical report (Walker, 1993), it was stated that
\"during a large spill the fishing and seafood industry can be adversely
affected, both by perceived and real effects.\" This is an issue only in
areas that have commercial stocks or recreational fisheries.
Consideration of potential injuries resulting from not using a
dispersant must be made when tainting is a possibility. S. L. Ross
Environment Research, Ltd. (SLR) considers tainting a problem for
exploitable resources in waters less than 10 meters. At these depths,
less than 10 meters, it is likely for toxicity levels to increase and
have a potential impact on the resources within this zone. In such
instances, if survivability is not a question, one must be concerned
with the marketability of an entire stock because of tainting. There is
also the possibility of an effect on the various life stages of the
organisms of concern in the area. These same concerns apply to both
treated and untreated oils. According to Moller et al. (1989), numerous
laboratory studies have examined the toxicity of dispersants and
dispersed oil and not found any conclusive evidence that shows any
concern in field investigations. The studies did confirm that organisms
in confined areas are at risk from tainting. Despite the fact that the
biological processes may not show an effect from the dispersed oil,
there is the reality that low concentrations can cause an oily taste or
smell in the flesh of the organism. Organisms, such as shellfish, which
filter-feed, can readily ingest the minute droplets of dispersed oil.
Also, organisms that have a high fat content may have a greater tendency
to bioaccumulate the hydrocarbons in their systems. Therefore, Moller,
et. al. recommends not using dispersants close to aquaculture facilities
and that any instance of a discharge of oil in the vicinity of an
aquaculture facility should be taken seriously, since even the smallest
amounts might cause a decrease in the \"market confidence\" for an
extended period of time.

Various groups of fishes and their varied life stages differ in
susceptibility to petroleum products (Table 1). Generally, the egg and
larval stages of fish are the most sensitive to petroleum products,
followed by juveniles and adults.

**Table 2. Fish groups and life stage risk to petroleum products.**

+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
| **GROUP** | **LIFE  | **S             | **EFFECT**                  |
|           | STAGE** | USCEPTIBILITY** |                             |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
| F         | Adult   | Low             | Highly mobile               |
| reshwater |         |                 |                             |
| Pelagic   |         |                 |                             |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
|           | J       | Low             | Mobile                      |
|           | uvenile |                 |                             |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
|           | Larvae  | Moderate        | Buoyant stage may           |
|           |         |                 | experience injurious        |
|           |         |                 | exposure, sinking oil may   |
|           |         |                 | impact benthic species      |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
|           | Egg     | Moderate        | See larvae                  |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
| F         | Adult   | Moderate        | Mobility may allow escape,  |
| reshwater |         |                 | but barriers (natural and   |
| Stream    |         |                 | anthropogenic) can cause    |
|           |         |                 | continued exposure. Extent  |
|           |         |                 | of spill may determine      |
|           |         |                 | effect on species, since    |
|           |         |                 | many streams are shallow    |
|           |         |                 | exposing fish the           |
|           |         |                 | contaminants                |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
|           | J       | Moderate        | (See adult)                 |
|           | uvenile |                 |                             |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
|           | Larvae  | High            | Low mobility and dependence |
|           |         |                 | on near shore areas         |
|           |         |                 | increase exposure, also see |
|           |         |                 | freshwater pelagic.         |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
|           | Egg     | High            | Exposure in shallows to     |
|           |         |                 | contaminated sediment and   |
|           |         |                 |                             |
|           |         |                 | foods; also see freshwater  |
|           |         |                 | pelagic.                    |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
| F         | Adult   | Low             | Highly mobile               |
| reshwater |         |                 |                             |
| Near      |         |                 |                             |
| shore     |         |                 |                             |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
|           | J       | Moderate        | Mobile, but dependant on    |
|           | uvenile |                 | near shore areas where      |
|           |         |                 | exposure is increased       |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
|           | Larvae  | High            | Low mobility, dependant on  |
|           |         |                 | near shore areas            |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
|           | Egg     | High            | Direct exposure in shallow  |
|           |         |                 | areas highly likely         |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
| A         | Adult   | Moderate        | Exposure when passing near  |
| nadromous |         |                 | shore or into spawning      |
| Fishes    |         |                 | streams                     |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
|           | J       | Moderate        | Exposure due to dependence  |
|           | uvenile |                 | on shallow water areas      |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
|           | Larvae  | High            | Exposure in nursery areas   |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
|           | Egg     | High            | Exposure in spawning areas  |
|           |         |                 | to contaminated sediments   |
|           |         |                 | and/or water column         |
|           |         |                 | toxicity                    |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
| Estuarine | Adult   | Low             | Highly mobile               |
| Near      |         |                 |                             |
| shore     |         |                 |                             |
| Fishes    |         |                 |                             |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
|           | J       | Moderate        | Mobile                      |
|           | uvenile |                 |                             |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
|           | Larvae  | Moderate to     | Buoyant and semi-buoyant    |
|           |         | High            | larvae experience surface   |
|           |         |                 | and water column exposure   |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
|           | Egg     | Moderate to     | Buoyant eggs experience     |
|           |         | High            | surface exposure            |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
| Marine    | Adult   | Low/High        | Highly mobile, but food     |
| Reef      |         |                 | source contamination        |
| Fishes    |         |                 | likely. Volatiles can       |
|           |         |                 | impact on shallow waters    |
|           |         |                 | and embayments              |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
|           | J       | Moderate        | Mobile, but food source     |
|           | uvenile |                 | contamination likely.       |
|           |         |                 | Volatiles can impact on     |
|           |         |                 | shallow waters and          |
|           |         |                 | embayments.                 |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
|           | Larvae  | Moderate to     | Direct exposure in shallow  |
|           |         | High            | areas                       |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+
|           | Egg     | Moderate to     | Direct exposure in shallow  |
|           |         | High            | areas during development    |
+-----------+---------+-----------------+-----------------------------+

**Primary Response**

**o Mechanical cleanup**

> Oil should be prevented from entering protected waterways, streams,
> estuaries, lagoons and bays where fish and their prey items are most
> susceptible.

**o Protective boom and sorbent boom technology**

> Booms may be used to augment the mechanical cleanup or when mechanical
> cleanup is not feasible. Protective and sorbent booms may be effective
> in controlling or reducing contamination along the shallow shorelines,
> from entering secondary water bodies, or riparian zones. Booms may
> also be utilized to contain contamination in non-sensitive areas
> (sacrificial zones).

**o Carcass and debris removal**

> Collection and proper documentation of oiled carcasses should be
> conducted in conjunction with Law Enforcement so that proper chain of
> custody is maintained. Carcass removal from facilities and disposal
> should be conducted only after authorization from Law Enforcement.
> Pick up of carcasses must be accomplished as promptly as possible and
> on a regular schedule to reduce secondary impacts to predatory mammals
> and birds (also allows for a more accurate determination of
> mortality). Collection of oiled vegetation and debris from open water
> and shoreline areas should be made regularly.

**o In-situ burning**

> If in-situ burning is permitted within Federal and State guidelines it
> should be considered advantageous to open water fishes and in some
> cases near shore.

**o Dispersant application**

> Dispersants are not likely to be effective in near shore areas and
> should not be used in estuarine or freshwater habitats. Data
> addressing the effects of dispersants on fisheries are not readily
> available.

**Secondary Response**

It is important when employing a deterrent designed to move fishes away
from or toward a specific site, that the individuals conducting the
techniques be trained and advised in the proper application. All
secondary response activities must have the approval of appropriate
Federal and state agency representatives (see #7 Fishery Spill Response
Personnel for a list of agency contacts).

**o Visual methods**

> Many laboratory experiments have demonstrated the high
> light-sensitivity of many fishes (Munz 1971). For example, walleyes in
> Lake Michigan would collide with rocks or beach themselves in attempt
> to escape automobile floodlights at close range (Eschmeyer 1950).
> Lighting may be manipulated to restrict fish movement in specific
> areas.

**o Auditory methods**

> Most bony fishes have the ability to detect vibrations. High
> frequencies have recently been employed to keep fish away from the
> turbines at hydropower dams. While these methods have not been proven
> successful for all species the method does hold promise for some
> (Sonalysts 1991). Low frequencies (16-100 cycles) are probably sensed
> through the skin and/or lateral line receptors (Lagler et. al. 1977)
> as compared to being \"heard\" by the ear.

**o Olfactory methods**

> The olfactory organs of fishes are highly developed and used
> extensively in schooling, fright, and migratory behavior (Brown 1957,
> Lagler et. al. 1977). There are no data available on the advantages or
> disadvantages of using this method to preclude fish from entering an
> area.

**o Bubble curtains**

> The use of a \"curtain\" of air bubbles can act as a deterrent to
> fish. However, this method has a flip side, once a fish passes through
> the \"curtain,\" the curtain can then act to restrict the movement of
> additional fish out of the contaminated area and into the protected
> area.

**o Herding methods**

> Various nets are available to assist in herding fish away from or
> towards a specific area (see Tertiary Response for a listing). In
> using this methodology, particular attention must be paid to the mesh
> size being used and the target species of fish.

**Tertiary Response**

**o Capture**

> No data are available for specifically capturing fish exposed to oil,
> however, many of the methods and techniques are available for
> capturing fish. In certain situations capturing may be necessary as a
> means of \"hazing\" to remove a group of fishes from a specified area.
> Various methods of capture can be modified to meet individual needs.
> Because of the differences in species\' response and size, select
> methods of collection may be more efficient than others. Most fish
> sampling gear is selective based on avoidance, fish size, and
> efficiency of the equipment (Royce 1972). It would be an unusual
> circumstance where a tertiary response would need to be considered
> during a spill response. Yet, there might be instance where a hatchery
> was in the way of an advancing slick and this was the only alternative
> left to save the fish or there might be an area in the advance of a
> slick that contains an endangered species and the must be removed to
> offer protection from injury.

**o Stationary entangling nets**

> **-** Trammel net, made of three nets hung together from a single
> float line to a single lead line. The two outer meshes are larger than
> the loosely hung inner mesh. Fish trap themselves in pockets of the
> fine webbing pushed through the heavier twine.

**o Stationary enclosure nets**

> **-** Large net enclosures: consist of corrals and true traps that
> lure fish into them. Used often for coastal fish.

**-** Small net enclosures

> **-** Hoop net, a conical fish trap hung on round frames with two
> funnel shaped throats in a series. In moving waters the entrance is
> directed downstream and the cod end is staked upstream.
>
> **-** Fyke net, a hoop net with wings six feet deep by thirty or more
> feet long from the mouth.

**-** Trap net, an adaptation of the hoop net principle, although
usually smaller.

**-** Brush or rock enclosures (for coastal or river fish)

> **-** Rigid pots, a baited cage made of wood or coated metal. Utilized
> in capturing eels.

**o Mobile enclosing nets**

> **-** Trawls, cone shaped nets towed along the bottom or at mid-depth
> to catch fish.\*

**-** Seines, flat nets used to encircle fish. Fitted with floats at the
top and weights at the bottom. It is pulled on the bottom toward a fixed
point.

> **-** Beach seines are set on the bottom, usually by hand or from
> small vessels and then pulled through the water and up onto the beach.
>
> **-** Cast nets are nets thrown from shore or small vessels, and are
> then drawn closed capturing the fish at or near the surface.

**o Electrofishing**

> Electrofishing is the use of electricity to provide sufficient
> electrical stimulus in fish to permit easy capture by netting (Coffelt
> 1985). All personnel serving as an electrofishing team leader must
> have demonstrated knowledge of the principles and techniques of
> electrofishing either by completing the FWS course or satisfactorily
> completing a certifying examination. Revised policy 241 FW 6 calls for
> completion of NCTC course and certification in CPR & First Aid
> training if FWS employees serve as Team Leader. If non-FWS personnel
> are Team Leaders, then proof of Electrofishing knowledge certification
> would suffice.

**o Handling**

> Tricaine Methanesulfonate (MS 222) (Sandoz Chem. Co., NY) is the most
> common method of anesthetizing fish without deleterious physiological
> effects, although other compounds do exist (Lemm 1993).
> Electronarcosis may also be used for the general purpose of quieting
> fish.

**o Transportation**

> When necessary, fish can be transported via tank truck to holding
> ponds or to uncontaminated areas.

**o Care**

> Presently no data exist on the care of fish exposed to the discharge
> of oil. Therefore, any activities taken for this mode of response
> should be well documented for future reference. When transporting
> fish, aeration and temperatures must be maintained at acceptable
> levels to ensure sufficient oxygen is available to fish and that
> temperatures do not exceed the species range. Mild anesthesia and
> reduction in temperature may assist in the transport of the fish to a
> new location.
>
> **- Cleaning/Treatment**
>
> There are no data available on the potential cleaning and treatment of
> fishes. This is an unlikely scenario and would not be considered a
> high priority option. The only exception might be for large endangered
> or threatened species (i.e. sturgeons).

-   **Holding/Larvae/Juveniles**

> It is not recommended to hold larvae and juveniles for any length of
> time, with the exception of transporting fish to a cleaner location.

**o Release**

> When releasing animals to a new area, water temperature and water
> chemistry must be taken into consideration. Fish must be acclimated to
> the new environment. Animals should not be released into a new area
> with out the approval of local State and Federal officials.

**[CITED AND SELECTED REFERENCES]{.underline}**

Brown, M.E. 1957. The Physiology of Fishes, Vol. 2. Academic Press,
Inc., N.Y. Chap.2, pp 121-210.

Coffelt Electronics. 1985. Some shocking Facts about electrofishing.
Coffelt Electronics Company, Inc., Englewood, CO. 8 p.

Eschmeyer, P. 1050. The life history of the walleye in Michigan.
Michigan Institute Fishery Resource Bulletin 3:1-99.

Fraser, J. P. 1989. Methods for Making Dispersant Use Decisions.
Proceedings of the 1989 International Oil Spill Conference. American
Petroleum Institute, Washington, D.C., pp 321-330.

Lagler, K.F., J.E. Bardach, R.R. Miller, and D.R.M. Passino. 1977.
Ichthyology. John Wiley & Sons, N.Y. p 311-380.

Lemm, C.A. 1993. Evaluation of five anesthetics on striped bass. U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Resource Publication 196. 10 pp.

Michel, J., S. Christopherson, and F. Whipple. 1994. Mechanical
Protection Guidelines. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
Washington, D. C.

Moller, T. H., B. Dicks, and N. Goodman. 1989. Fisheries and Mariculture
Affected by Oil Spills. Proceedings of the 1989 International Oil Spill
Conference. American Petroleum Institute, Washington, D.C., pp 389-394.

Munz, F.W. 1971. Vision, *In* Fish Physiology. 5:1-32. Academic Press,
N.Y.

Rand, G. M. and S.R. Petrocelli. 1985. Fundamentals of Aquatic
Toxicology. Hemisphere Publishing Corp., Washington D.C. 666 p.

Royce, W.F. 1972. Introduction to the Fishery Sciences. Academic Press,
N.Y. 351 p.

RPI International, Inc. 1987. Natural Resource Response Guide: Marine
Fish. Ocean Assessment Division, Office of Oceanography & Marine
Services, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic & Atmospheric
Administration. 95 p.

Sonalysts, Inc. 1991. Acoustic fish reaction demonstration: American
Shad at the Vernon Station hydroelectric project, Vernon, Vermont.
Proposal P-6206-JKM-91. 8 p.

Walker, A. H., J. Michel, G. Canevari, J. Kucklick, D. Scholz, C. A.
Benson, E. Overton, and B. Shane. 1993. Chemical Oil Spill Treating
Agents. marine Spill Response Corporation, Washington, D.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 1991. Principles and techniques of
electrofishing. Training manual, USFWS Office of Technical Fisheries
Training, Kearneysville, WV. 87 p.