Behavioural response of white sturgeon and walleye to a LED based light guidance device

Hazards of water management required for human life require a growing need to protect fish. Behavioural guidance is used to reduce damage to fish from waterway infrastructure. A light guidance device designed by ATET-Tech, inc. was tested using both white sturgeon and walleye. White sturgeon were attracted to green light more than blue and red during the day. At night, white sturgeon were attracted to all lights. A louver-LGD system was tested using green light strobing at 20Hz to attract fish and red light strobing at 1Hz to deter fish. The louver was consistently effective at guiding white sturgeon toward the bypass with green light enhancing night bypass rates. Walleye were assed for their behavioural responses to green and orange light with either constant or 5Hz strobing light. Walleye avoided light significantly more compared the control. This research furthers understanding how fish react to light to reduce entrainment and impingement.