Biologists with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Wildlife Department use large nets to survey for the federally threatened Arkansas River shiner. ODWC Photo
Each year, biologists with the Wildlife Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service meet along a 300-mile stretch of the Canadian River to conduct surveys for the federally threatened Arkansas River shiner at 10 established sites.
A 4-by-15-foot mesh net, or seine, is hauled through the water to sample the river channel, along the banks, and a mix of other river habitats. Biologists examine every fish captured, and log the total number of seine hauls, habitats sampled, and fish caught.
Though historically found throughout the Arkansas River watershed, the small fish has disappeared from about 80% of its range and is now limited to the Canadian River in Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico.
Watch as biologists survey the river by clicking HERE.
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