International eel symposium, 2003 - Quebec August 11, 2003
Oral Presentation

Avoidance of Artificial Light by Downstream Migrating American Eel (Anguilla rostrata) in the St. Lawrence River

McGrath, Kevin J.* New York Power Authority, 123 Main St. White Plains, NY 10601914 681 6682914 287 3298 (fax)mcgrath.k@nypa.gov
Ault, Scott Kleinschmidt, 2 East Main Street, Strasburg, PA 17579717 687 7211717 687 7266 (fax)scott.ault@Kleinschmidtusa.com
Skalski, John Univ. of Washington, 1325 Fourth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101206 616 4851206 616 7452 (fax)jrs@cbr.washington.edu
Fleury, Carole Milieu, inc. 1435 Chemin de Saint-Jean, Laprairie, Quebec, Canada J5R 2L8450 444 6880450 444 6894 (fax)carole.fleury@milieuinc.com
Fairbanks, Alan Stantec, 140 Rotech Drive, Lancaster, NY 14086716 759 1200716 759 1489 (fax)afairbanks@stantec.com

Presenter email address: mcgrath.k AT nypa.gov

Abstract Text: A proof-of-concept study was conducted to determine if downstream migrating American eels avoid artificial light. The study was conducted from July through September 2002 on the St. Lawrence River near Waddington, NY. A 90-m long, surface to bottom, "wall-of-light" was created by suspending eighty-four 1000-W halogen lamps from a platform in approximately 10 m water depth. Light intensity was approximately 3500 lux at 1 m, 175 lux at 10 m, and 2 lux at 40 m from the platform. The light platform was set 30 degrees to the River current, which was 0.6 m/s. Estimates of effectiveness were obtained by netting downstream from the platform. Control and treatment conditions were created by randomly alternating nights with lights off and lights on. No other conditions were varied. Additionally movement patterns were documented of eels observed in the light field.A total of 258 eels were collected during 53 nights of sampling. Probability of avoidance was estimated to be 85% based upon net results; the 90% confidence intervals ranged from 66% to 100%. Visual data, based upon 111 observed eels, also showed 85% avoidance of the light array.