Retrospective and Predictive Investigation of Fish Kill Events

• DOI: 10.1002/aah.10054
• Publication Date: 2019-02-08T14:53:38Z
• Authors: Nicholas B. D. Ph...; Irene Bueno; Daniela A. Poo-Muñoz; Sarah J. Knowles; Sarah Massarani; Rebecca Rettkowski; Ling Shen; Heidi Rantala; Paula L. F. Phelps; Luis E. Escobar
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; Minnesota; Fishes; Biodiversity; Environment; 01 natural sciences; 13. Climate action; Animals; Seasons; 14. Life underwater; Mortality; Retrospective Studies

Abstract Fish kill investigations are critical to understanding threats aquatic ecosystems and can serve as a measure of environmental disruption well an early indicator emerging disease. The goal this study was analyze historical data related such events among wild fish populations in Minnesota order assess the quality completeness potential trends kills. After excluding with incomplete (e.g., which location not reported), we analyzed 225 unique kills from 2003 2013 that were recorded two Department Natural Resources databases. most reported occurred during 2007 (n =41) month June =81) across all years. Centrarchid species present (138), followed by cyprinid ictalurid species, 53 40 events, respectively. Environmental factors common cause death reported. Models revealed maximum nighttime land surface temperature factor mortality, changes primary productivity human disturbances. During course study, gaps identified, including underreporting, inconsistent investigation, lack definitive diagnoses, making interpretation our results challenging. Even so, these be useful generating hypotheses advancing collection systems for investigating future Our is primer investigation providing information on plausible areas, seasons, groups at risk guide active monitoring epidemiological surveillance fishes.