TVA To Conduct Annual Sport Fish Survey

March 16, 2009

TVA is inviting anglers and other residents of the Tennessee Valley to participate in surveying the sport fish population in the Tennessee River this spring.

Sport fish such as bluegill, black bass and crappie will be part of TVA’s annual spring fish survey beginning Tuesday, March 17 and continuing until mid-May.

Fish are collected using boat-mounted electro-fishing equipment. The units stun the fish momentarily and bring them to the surface for evaluation. Information such as abundance, distribution, age, relative weight and general health is collected and recorded.

Once weighed, measured and counted, the fish are released unharmed. Results from TVA’s fish surveys are used by state agencies to protect and improve sport fishing.

From March 17 through May 14, TVA fisheries biologists will leave designated boat ramps throughout the Valley at 7:30 a.m. and survey the fish until mid-afternoon. Participants with life jackets may join survey crews in TVA boats, or they may follow in personal boats.

The TVA survey has been conducted in the Tennessee River since 1995. Anglers and the public who would like to accompany TVA biologists in the survey should call the Environmental Information Center at TVA (800-882-5263) to schedule a time. Space is limited. The EIC operates from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT Monday-Friday.

TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financing. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 9 million consumers in seven southeastern states. TVA also manages the Tennessee River and its tributaries to provide multiple benefits, including flood damage reduction, navigation, water quality and recreation.

Contact:

Barbara Martocci, Knoxville, (865) 632-8632
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000

TVA Newsroom