Fyke Net Survey
Setting the net
Winter flounder spawning
Legal sized winter flounder are tagged and released
Winter Flounder with an acoustic tag
Background
In 1999 the Rhode Island Coastal Ponds Project was expanded to support an adult winter flounder monitoring and tagging project. This winter phase of the seasonal coastal pond work serves as an opportunity to collect data on the adult spawning populations of winter flounder in Rhode Island south shore coastal ponds. A commercial fisherman who had historically fished for winter flounder in the coastal ponds agreed to assist the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries staff to operationalize the survey.
Survey Design
Fyke nets are set at fixed station locations in Point Judith Pond, Potters Pond, and Ninigret Pond.
Survey Gear
Fyke nets are a passive fixed fishing gear, attached perpendicular to the shoreline at mean low water. A vertical section of net wall or leader directs fish toward the body of the net where the catch is funneled through a series of parlors, eventually being retained in the terminal parlor. The wings of the net accomplish further direction and retention of the catch.
Sampling Methods
Fyke nets are set at fixed locations and catch is collected every three to seven days. The net is hauled by hand and accessed by a small vessel. All fish are sorted by species, measured, and counted. All winter flounder captured are measured, sexed, counted, and categorized to describe spawning stage. These collected data help to illustrate how the spawning activity of flounder advances throughout the duration of the survey season. Legal size winter flounder (12”) are tagged and released back into the system. Physical measurements, such as weather conditions, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and salinity are taken at each station.
Sampling Frequency
The research project runs from December through April annually. Fishing gear is deployed depending on ice cover in the ponds and the nets are hauled on three-to-seven-night sets. Six fyke nets are set concurrently in Potter Pond and Ninigret Pond throughout the sampling season.
For more information about the survey please contact Rich Balouskus