This dataset includes the behavioral fish data needed to assess the responses of Upper Mississippi River fishes to an acoustic stimulus (i.e., playback of a 100 hp boat motor). Native ostariophysians (bigmouth buffalo Ictiobus cyprinellus, channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus, and fathead minnow Pimephales promelas), invasive ostariophysians (bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis, common carp Cyprinus carpio, grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella, and silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), and native non-ostariophysians (American eel Anguilla rostrata, gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum, hybrid striped bass Morone saxatilis, lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens, and paddlefish Polyodon spathula) were exposed to a playback of a 100 hp boat motor sound in indoor tanks, and their behavior was monitored for negative phonotaxis and changes in behavior.

The effectiveness of an acoustic barrier to deter the movement of silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, and bighead carp, H. noblis, was evaluated. A pond (10 m, x 5 m x 1.2 m) was divided in half by a concrete-block barrier with a channel (1 m across) allowing fish access to each side. Underwater speakers were placed on each side of the barrier opening and an outboard motor noise (broadband sound; 0.06 – 10 kHz) was broadcast to repel carp that approached within 1 m of the channel. Broadband sound was effective at reducing the number of successful crossings in schools of silver carp, bighead carp and a combined school. Repulsion rates were 82.5% (silver carp), 93.7% (bighead carp) and 90.5% (combined). This study demonstrates that broadband sound is effective in deterring carp and could be used as a barrier in an integrated pest management system.

Locks and dams are possible management points to block the spread of invasive Asian carps in the United States. Infusion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into water is one deterrent strategy being considered at navigational structures to reduce upstream fish passage that would not directly interfere with lock and dam operations. The goal of this study was to determine the efficacy of CO2 as a behavioral deterrent to free-swimming fishes. Telemetered bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) were monitored within a U-shaped pond (30.5 m long x 13.7 m wide x 1 m deep) using a two-dimensional acoustic telemetry array. Gaseous CO2 was administered to one-half of the pond at 30, 75, or 150 L CO2/min while a comparable stimulus of atmospheric air without CO2 was simultaneously applied to the opposite side. Fish positions throughout nine independent trials were used to quantify and compare the spatial occupancy, movement patterns, and CO2 plume interaction of fish during CO2 treatment relative to normal swimming before treatment. See related manuscript for additional details on experimental methods.

Recent studies have shown the potential of acoustic deterrents against invasive silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). This study examined the phonotaxic response of the bighead carp (H. nobilis) to pure tones (500– 2000 Hz) and playbacks of broadband sound from an underwater recording of a 100 hp outboard motor (0.06–10 kHz) in an outdoor concrete pond (10 × 5 × 1.2 m) at the U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Envi- ronmental Science Center in La Crosse, WI. The number of consecutive times the fish reacted to sound from alter- nating locations at each end of the pond was assessed. Bighead carp were relatively indifferent to the pure tones with median consecutive responses ranging from 0 to 2 reactions away from the sound source. However, fish consistently exhibited significantly (P b 0.001) greater negative phonotaxis to the broadband sound (outboard motor recording) with an overall median response of 20 consecutive reactions during the 10 min trials. In over 50% of broadband sound tests, carp were still reacting to the stimulus at the end of the trial, implying that fish were not habituating to the sound. This study suggests that broadband sound may be an effective deterrent to bighead carp and provides a basis for conducting studies with wild fish.

The Underwater Acoustic Deterrent System is an experimental deterrent that utilizes underwater sounds to deter invasive carps. An experimental deployment and evaluation of a UADS is currently being conducted at Lock 19 on the Mississippi River, near Keokuk, Iowa. This dataset includes information derived from two telemetry arrays (i.e., 307 kHz HTI and 69 kHz VEMCO) deployed at and around Lock 19 to evaluate fish movement and response to the UADS in 2021 and 2022. Silver Carp, Bighead Carp, Grass Carp, and a variety of native fish species were tagged and monitored with the telemetry arrays.

The BioAcoustic Fish Fence (BAFF; Fish Guidance Systems Ltd.) is a multi-modal deterrent that utilizes a combination of lights, sound, and bubbles to guide fish away from a location. An experimental deployment of a BAFF is currently ongoing at Barkley Lock and Dam on the Cumberland River near Grand Rivers, KY. This dataset includes information derived from two telemetry arrays (i.e., VEMCO and HTI) deployed in the vicinity of Barkley Lock and Dam to evaluate fish movement and response to the BAFF. Silver carp, grass carp, and native fish species were detected with this system.

This dataset includes the behavioral responses to a broadband sound for common carp in an outdoor concrete pond. Broadband sound (0.06 to 10 kHz) has shown potential as an acoustic deterrent for bigheaded carps, but the response of common carp to broadband sound has not been evaluated. Since common carp are ostariophysians, possessing Weberian ossicles similar to bigheaded carps, it is possible that sound can be used as an acoustical deterrent for all three species.

This study deployed acoustic telemetry at the Fox River Navigational System Authority (FRNSA) in lock #2 and the upstream and downstream pools in Kaukauna, WI to document movements and behavior of telemetered fish species in response to injection of carbon dioxide. Telemetry equipment was setup in the test area for approximately 2 months during the summer of 2019. CSV metadata includes telemetry data with position estimates for fish during this time.

Fisheries acoustics data are collected from more than 200 sea-days each year aboard the FRV DELAWARE II and FRV ALBATROSS IV (decommissioned) and the FSV Henry B. Bigelow during pelagic, bottom-trawl, and marine mammal surveys. Acoustic sampling operations include continuous measurements using hull-mounted transducers and multi-frequency scientific echosounders. Biological sampling with midwater and bottom trawls, and underwater video deployments is conducted to verify species-specific backscatter and characterize sea-floor habitat. In-situ and laboratory experiments aid in understanding species-specific acoustic measurements. We are continuously developing, testing, and evaluating advanced sampling technologies during laboratory and field experiments to improve abundance estimates and map spatial and temporal distributions of fish and invertebrates. Acoustic, optic, and biological data are audited and archived in the NEFSC relational data management system.

This study deployed acoustic telemetry into a red swamp crayfish-infested water retention pond (1.0 ac) near Novi, Michigan to document the movements and behavior of telemetered red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). Telemetry was setup in the pond for approximately 3 months. Spreadsheets include telemetry data with position estimates for individual crayfish.