3.5 Freshwater Fish
Monitoring. Long-term monitoring is critical to assessing species and ecosystem health over time and gauging the resilience of organisms to a changing climate. Studies should include identifcation of population trends, as well as assessment of impacts from conser- vation or development activities. Tese eforts will inform species and habitat management decisions. Long-term monitoring sites need to be identifed and monitoring protocols developed for priority species. Monitoring plans should be coordinated with other existing monitoring programs where feasible. Conduct long-term monitoring to identify population trends for all priority species. Research. Research topics that facilitate appropriate conservation actions include habitat use and preferences, reproductive behavior, fecundity, population dynamics and genetics, feeding, competition, and food web dynamics. Increased understanding of life histories and status helps determine the vulnerability of priority species to further imperilment, in addition to identifying possibilities for improved management and conservation. Studies should provide recommendations for mitigation and restoration when appropriate. Formal descriptions for known or putative undescribed species and investigations aimed at resolv- ing taxonomic status are needed. Descriptions of other research needs are outlined below.
• Support completion of species descriptions for undescribed taxa.
• Conduct research to facilitate appropriate conservation actions. Research should focus on life history studies of priority species.
• Determine the distribution of nonnative fshes and how they are afecting native species.
• Conduct surveys to assess potential Atlantic and Shortnose sturgeon spawning habitat above and below existing barriers in Cape Fear River (CFRP 2013) . Management Practices. Management practices that reduce impacts and work synergis- tically with other conservation actions are needed to enhance the resilience of natural resources, protect native populations and their habitats, and improve degraded habitats so they support native populations. • Reintroduce or augment rare fsh populations in areas where water quality and stream habitats have recovered sufciently to support them. • Support incentive and information programs that help reduce sedimentation/erosion, minimize pesticide and herbicide use, and modernize wastewater treatment facilities. • Develop strategies to mitigate Flathead Catfsh impacts to native species, including education and outreach programs to educate the public about the impacts of intro- duced species.
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2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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