Characterizing a Hidden Fishery: Setline Fishing in the New River, Virginia
CHARACTERIZING A HIDDEN FISHERY: SETLINE FISHING IN THE NEW RIVER, VIRGINIA Benjamin D. Dickinson Thesis submitted to the faculty of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science In Fisheries and Wildlife Science Donald J. Orth, Co-Chair Steve L. McMullin, Co-Chair Brian R. Murphy John R. Copeland December 9, 2013 Blacksburg, Virginia Keywords: catfish, setline, trotline, human dimensions, by-catch Copyright 2013, Benjamin D. Dickinson Characterizing a Hidden Fishery: Setline Fishing in the New River, Virginia Benjamin D. Dickinson ABSTRACT Catfishes Ictaluridae are important food fish that are harvested from the New River, Virginia by multiple methods, yet standard creel survey approaches do not accurately sample setline effort, a popular fishing gear for catfish. I characterized the New River setline fishery by estimating setline effort and catch rates of catfish and by-catch in 2011, and by investigating the attitudes and opinions of setline users during 2012. Setline effort was highest during June-August, and declined significantly by mid-September. Several dedicated setline users accounted for a significant portion of total setline effort. Experimental setlines baited with live minnows Cyprinidae proved to be an effective method for catching catfish but caught few walleye Sander vitreus, smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu, and muskellunge Esox masquinongy. Estimated by-catch of these species by setline fishers is small compared to catch by hook-and-line anglers, though walleye experienced high setline hooking mortality, and catch rates increased in autumn months. Setlines appear to be part of a larger “way of life” for some rural individuals, who may also hunt, trap, and garden as part of activities to supplement their diet or income.
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