An Electric Seine for Collecting Fish in Streams

We describe the design and use of an electric seine for collecting fish that is reliable, efficient, and broadly applicable in small to medium-size streams. Modifications of previous designs include (1) addition of a rheostat for regulating circuit amperage, (2) use of fiberglass tubing in the brail infrastructure, (3) readily engaged or disengaged connections between the brails and drop-electrode array, and (4) use of automobile brake or speedometer cables as drop-electrodes with adjustable lengths. To estimate capture efficiency of the electric seine, we repeatedly electrofished a pool and riffle in each of two Virginia streams. The first two passes with the electric seine captured between 53 and 79% of fish numbers and between 60 and 88% of fish biomass collected by 10 passes. Capture efficiency was relatively high for suckers, low for darters, and variable for minnows and sunfishes. Capture efficiency of the electric seine was similar or superior to that of other electrofishing gear used in wadeable streams. The electric seine is most appropriate for quantitative estimates of species composition or population densities of entire fish assemblages.