Fisheries biologists, I've got a population sampling question

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It depends on if you're getting data unique to a sampling type. We use both methods and get the same species, but we do get different sizes using different methods. So it depends on what you're looking at. We DO get different species and different sizes with backpack electroshocking vs. boat electroshocking.

What is your total sample size? For a single season's worth of data we're sampling over 10,000 fish electroshocking. Our gillnets are much less effective, but we're doing short soaks to minimize mortality. Gillnet mortality is obviously much higher than electroshocking. We see between a 1-2% mortality rate electroshocking. Frankly, I hate gillnets and am glad we're done using them.
 
Modest_Man said:
It depends on if you're getting data unique to a sampling type. We use both methods and get the same species, but we do get different sizes using different methods. So it depends on what you're looking at. We DO get different species and different sizes with backpack electroshocking vs. boat electroshocking.

What is your total sample size? For a single season's worth of data we're sampling over 10,000 fish electroshocking. Our gillnets are much less effective, but we're doing short soaks to minimize mortality. Gillnet mortality is obviously much higher than electroshocking. We see between a 1-2% mortality rate electroshocking. Frankly, I hate gillnets and am glad we're done using them.
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Good point, I quickly cross examined for species diversity and found the electro did contain a few new species I haven't been seeing in the gill net data. So it isn't a question of "if" anymore.

Thanks for the tips. I wanted to make sure there weren't known issues with using both techniques. I'm not a fan of gill nets for the sake of collecting data either...besides, shocking is a heckuva lot more fun. :naughty:
 
That's why you need to dismiss the data from electroshocking as you have some species that wasn't on the gillnet data. In my experience, largemouth bass and some sunfish species rarely shows up in the gillnets but they show up on electroshocking and trapnets.

I'm not fan of gillnets either...especially on hot summer days :barf: or removing these damn common carps, suckers and pikes from the gill nets.
 
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