Angler Perception and Population Viability of the Northern Snakehead in the Potomac River

Amrhein, Lauren

T-148-21
Angler Perception and Population Viability of the Northern Snakehead in the Potomac River

Lauren Amrhein , Gemstone Honors Program, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD

Isha Agarwal , Gemstone Honors Program, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD

Robert Fitzgerald , Gemstone Honors Program, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD

Skyler Golt , Gemstone Honors Program, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD

Zeke Gonzalez , Gemstone Honors Program, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD

Yasmine Hentati , Gemstone Honors Program, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD

Brian Kang , Gemstone Honors Program, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD

Yvette Mann , Gemstone Honors Program, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD

Gregory Mathews , Gemstone Honors Program, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD

Trevor Mills , Gemstone Honors Program, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD

Natalie Watts , Gemstone Honors Program, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD

Our research addresses the extent to which the Northern snakehead, an invasive fish species, represents a threat to the Potomac River ecosystem. One goal of our research was to determine the perceptions and opinions of recreational anglers on the snakehead population’s effect on the Potomac River. To determine angler perceptions, we created and administered surveys which we based on existing creel surveys. The results of these surveys were analyzed using SPSS. Survey results showed recreational anglers perceive that there has been a decrease in target species, specifically Largemouth Bass. A second goal of our research was to determine the health and potential for expansion of the snakehead population. We genetically analyzed snakehead from the Potomac River. We used microsatellites derived from previous research to compare to DNA samples from harvested snakehead tissue and analyzed our results with MATLAB algorithms. Our genetic analysis supports the hypothesis that there are multiple introductions of Northern snakehead into the Potomac River.

T-148-21 Angler Perception and Population Viability of the Northern Snakehead in the Potomac River

T-148-21
Angler Perception and Population Viability of the Northern Snakehead in the Potomac River