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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #129290
Title: POPULATION TRENDS OF DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS WITHIN THE CATFISH PRODUCTION AREAS OF ARKANSAS: 1999-2001.

Author
item Radomski, Andrew
item Freeman, Donald
item WOOTEN, DAVID - USFWS

Submitted to: Southern Division American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/20/2001
Publication Date: 2/1/2002
Citation: RADOMSKI, A.A., FREEMAN, D.W., WOOTEN, D. POPULATION TRENDS OF DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS WITHIN THE CATFISH PRODUCTION AREAS OF ARKANSAS: 1999-2001.. SOUTHERN DIVISION AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING. 2002. p.5.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) wintering in the southeast delta of Arkansas were monitored via aerial surveys to determine numbers and distribution for the past 2 winters. A minimum of two surveys per month (December 1999- April 2001) was conducted along a fixed flight route during the last 3 hours of sunlight and encompassed catfish production areas. Survey flights were conducted on consecutive days to reduce possible movement of cormorants between the two flight routes. Cormorants utilized a total of 10 and 14 night roosts during 1999-2000 and 2000-2001, respectively. The fidelity to night roosts and seasonal fluctuations in cormorant numbers between and within the 2 wintering seasons are of interest because of the extrinsic variables. Also, baseline population trend data are important in conducting field research within the catfish industry to compare between years, to measure density-dependent variables, and to provide a valuable tool in assessing cormorant population changes that may occur with future management strategies adopted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.