| Fish Research in the Atchafalaya and Wax Lake Deltas: a Review |
PRESENTATION
Gary W. Peterson, Bruce A. Thompson (posthumous), Brian J. Milan, and Richard F. Shaw
gpete@lsu.edu
School of the Coast and Environment, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Abstract
Most of Louisiana’s deltaic coastal marshes are currently in the erosional phase of delta cycling with the exception of the recently formed (since late 1970’s) delta islands in Atchafalaya Bay. The marshes and channels of these delta islands are dominated by freshwater from the Atchafalaya River. The juxtaposition of these freshwater marshes and mud flats within a tidal, estuarine bay provides a unique fisheries habitat. Sampling in the early 1980’s resulted in a diverse fish assemblage of freshwater, estuarine and marine species within this emerging delta. Although delta islands have continued to grow through natural processes, particularly in the Wax Lake delta, the Atchafalaya delta islands have been extensively modified as a result of maintenance dredging for the navigation channel and a CWPPRA project on the west side of the delta. Since 1999, we have conducted a series of studies in the Atchafalaya delta to examine the fisheries utilization of these constructed wetland islands, particularly by sport fish. We have also conducted experimental manipulations of these created wetlands to increase tidal access and thereby increase fisheries utilization of these wetlands. Our current study is designed to compare fish assemblages from the “natural” Wax Lake delta to those from the “altered” Atchafalaya delta to help assess the functionality of these created wetlands. Through the course of these studies, we have collected over 100 species of fish (freshwater to marine) from this mosaic of delta habitats, using a variety of sampling gears including seines, trawls, flume nets, and electro fishing. |
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