Advances in Fish Sampling: an Overview of Techniques and Standardization

To address the increased needs for communication among fisheries professionals; increasingly accurate and precise data; and larger regional or global scale assessments, advances in fisheries sampling are escalating.  Environmental DNA analyses, and new videographic, hydroacoustic, and electrofishing approaches have all been made possible due to advances in technology.  Communication among fisheries scientists has been aided by the publication of the American Fisheries Society Standard Methods for Sampling North American Freshwater Fishes, which was developed through a collaboration of 284 biologists from 107 state, federal, local and private agencies and organizations.  This work recommends standard methods on a continental scale improving the ability to compare data among agencies, regions or time scales. Current research on standard methods focuses on calibration of local techniques to the North American methods, development of efficiency models for active techniques such as electrofishing, and development of web-based electronic means to compile and compare data collected from standardized monitoring efforts.  An overview of current research on fisheries sampling techniques and how standard methods are being incorporated into North American fisheries management illustrates the importance of advancements in technology and communication among biologists when conserving the continent’s fish populations.