Tennessee Valley Authority
TVA To Conduct Annual Sport Fish Survey
March 23, 2010
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Anglers, boaters and other residents of the Tennessee Valley are invited to participate this spring in TVA’s annual survey of sport fish populations in the Tennessee River.
The survey, which has been conducted yearly since 1995, collects data on sport fish species such as black bass, blue gill and crappie. This year’s survey will be held at nine TVA reservoir sites through Thursday, May 13.
The fish are collected using boat-mounted electro-fishing equipment. The units momentarily stun the fish and bring them to the surface where they are examined and evaluated by TVA biologists. Once weighed, measured and counted, the fish are released unharmed.
Information such as abundance, distribution, age, relative weight and general health is collected and recorded. These results from TVA’s fish surveys are used by state agencies to protect and improve sport fishing.
During each survey, 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.
Members of the general public who would like to accompany TVA biologists in the survey should call the TVA Environmental Information Center at 800-882-5263 to schedule a time. Space is limited. The Environmental Information Center operates from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT Monday-Friday.
For more information on the TVA annual sport fish surveys, please visit: http://www.tva.gov/river/fishsurvey.htm
The Tennessee Valley Authority, a corporation owned by the U.S. government, provides electricity for 9 million people in parts of seven southeastern states at prices below the national average. TVA, which receives no taxpayer money and makes no profits, also provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system and assists utilities and state and local governments with economic development.
Media Contact
Mike Bradley, Knoxville, (865) 632-8860
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville (865) 632-6000