Mississippi State University Scholars Junction Theses and Dissertations Theses and Dissertations 8-9-2019 Foraging ecology and depredation impact of scaup on commercial baitfish and sportfish farms in eastern Arkansas Stephen Clements Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td Recommended Citation Clements, Stephen, "Foraging ecology and depredation impact of scaup on commercial baitfish and sportfish farms in eastern Arkansas" (2019). Theses and Dissertations. 2319. https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/2319 This Graduate Thesis - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses and Dissertations at Scholars Junction. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholars Junction. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Template B v3.0 (beta): Created by J. Nail 06/2015 Foraging ecology and depredation impact of scaup on commercial baitfish and sportfish farms in eastern Arkansas By TITLE PAGE Stephen Andrew Clements A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Mississippi State University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Mississippi State, Mississippi August 2019 Copyright by COPYRIGHT PAGE Stephen Andrew Clements 2019 Foraging ecology and depredation impact of scaup on commercial baitfish and sportfish farms in eastern Arkansas By APPROVAL PAGE Stephen Andrew Clements Approved: ____________________________________ J. Brian Davis (Major Professor/Co-Thesis Director) ____________________________________ Brian S. Dorr (Co-Thesis Director) ____________________________________ Scott A. Rush (Committee Member) ____________________________________ Kevin M. Hunt (Graduate Coordinator) ____________________________________ George M. Hopper Dean College of Forest Resources Name: Stephen Andrew Clements ABSTRACT Date of Degree: August 9, 2019 Institution: Mississippi State University Major Field: Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Major Professor: J. Brian Davis Title of Study: Foraging ecology and depredation impact of scaup on commercial baitfish and sportfish farms in eastern Arkansas Pages in Study 93 Candidate for Degree of Master of Science Scaup (Aythya spp.) are suspected of consuming substantial quantities of fish from Arkansas commercial baitfish and sportfish farms. We investigated the foraging ecology and depredation impact of scaup on farms by surveying ponds and collecting scaup during two autumn-winters (2016-2018) in Arkansas. Scaup abundance and fish they consumed were highly variable between winters. More scaup were present and they ate more fish during the second winter (2017-2018) than the previous winter. In the second year, there were an estimated 874,941 scaup use-days and 18% of Lesser Scaup diet was fish. We found that scaup use of ponds was more likely in colder winters and on larger Golden Shiner, Fathead Minnow, and Lepomis spp. ponds stocked at high densities. These results will inform stakeholders on the extent of losses of fish to these birds, and methods to efficiently allocate resources for timely harassment of scaup from fish ponds. DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my parents, Connie and Chris Clements, for introducing me to the outdoors and encouraging me to pursue my dreams. My experiences with each of you at the beach, on the boat, or in the woods are my most memorable and have undoubtedly inspired my journey. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I would like to thank the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center. Funding was provided in part by the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center through Grant number 2016-38500-25752 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture. A special thanks goes out to Dr. Luke Roy for envisioning this project and getting it underway. Additionally, I would like to thank Dr. Carole Engle, Dr. Anita Kelly, and Katie Hanson-Dorr for their roles in this projects completion. The advice and wisdom that each of you provided during this research was integral to its success. Furthermore, I thank the USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research Center-Mississippi Field Station for providing staff, vehicles, and a host of other supplies that made the completion of this study possible. Thank you to the UDSA/APHIS Wildlife Services in Arkansas for their assistance in bird collections and facilitating contact with producers. A special thanks goes out to the bait- and sportfish producers of Arkansas that allowed us access to their facilities and generously provided us with the information needed to complete analysis. I am forever grateful for my advisors, Dr. Brian Davis and Dr. Brian Dorr, for providing me with this opportunity to enhance my education. During my time at Mississippi State, each of you have helped me become a better scientist, writer, and presenter. I have thoroughly enjoyed working as a graduate student for each of you and whether it be professional endeavors, tailgates, or time in the outdoors, I look forward to iii our future collaboration. I would also like to thank my third committee member, Dr. Scott Rush, for his advice and contributions to my thesis. I am also thankful for the Thomas A. Plein Foundation for awarding me with a scholarship during my time at Mississippi State University. To fellow graduate students, Paul Burr, Terrel Christie, and Joe Lancaster, thank you for your friendship and assistance throughout this experience. I would likely still be deliberating over minute details of my thesis without your advice. Thank you to the NWRC Technicians, Alex Crain, Lanna Durst, and Raleigh Middleton, for the long hours and hard work that you provided in all aspects of this research. I would also like to thank other technicians and student workers, Carley Cofield, Taylor Hackemack, Lyndsey Kowalczyk, Ryan Mann, Ali Marchant, Deja Perkins, and Laurel Riebock, for their efforts in the field and lab. To the College of Forest Resources graduate student community, thank you for making my experience at Mississippi State so enjoyable. I am thankful for the diverse friendships I have gained through our crawfish boils, tailgates, outdoor adventures, and late nights supporting local businesses. Most importantly, thank you to my parents for equipping me with the drive and work ethic to succeed. Your continued love and support has made this process manageable. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION .................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... iii LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................ vii LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER I. ESTIMATING ABUNDANCE OF BAIT- AND SPORTFISH CONSUMED ANNUALLY BY SCAUP WINTERING IN EASTERN ARKANSAS ..........................................................................1 Abstract ..................................................................................................................1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................2 Materials and Methods ..........................................................................................5 Study Area .......................................................................................................5 Pond Survey Design ........................................................................................6 Field Sampling Procedures ..............................................................................6 Scaup Collections ............................................................................................7 Statistical Analysis ..........................................................................................9 Results .................................................................................................................12 Abundance and Distribution ..........................................................................12 Scaup Diets ....................................................................................................13 Scaup Depredation of Fish ............................................................................13 Discussion ............................................................................................................14 References ...........................................................................................................35 II. DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF SCAUP USING BAITFISH AND SPORTFISH FARMS IN EASTERN ARKANSAS ....................39 Abstract ................................................................................................................39 Introduction .........................................................................................................40 Materials and Methods ........................................................................................42 Study Area .....................................................................................................42 Pond Survey Design ......................................................................................43 Field Sampling Procedures ............................................................................43