Skip to main content
ARS Home » Northeast Area » Leetown, West Virginia » Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #407681
Research Project: Integrated Research Approaches for Improving Production Efficiency in Rainbow Trout

Location: Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture Research

Title: Citizen Science Biosurveillance of blotchy bass syndrome: Multiplexing efforts expands reporting [abstract]

Author
item RAINES, CLAYTON - Us Geological Survey (USGS)
item HOLT, CYNTHIA - Texas Parks And Wildlife
item MAZIK, PATRICIA - Us Geological Survey (USGS)
item MURRAY, BRENT - West Virginia University
item MICHAELS, BLAYK - Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas
item SIMMONS, SEAN - Angler'S Atlas
item BIGGS, MORGAN - Us Geological Survey (USGS)
item Iwanowicz, Luke

Submitted to: American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/18/2023
Publication Date: 8/25/2023
Citation: Raines, C.D., Holt, C., Mazik, P., Murray, B., Michaels, B., Simmons, S., Biggs, M.A., Iwanowicz, L.R. 2023. Citizen Science Biosurveillance of blotchy bass syndrome: Multiplexing efforts expands reporting [abstract]. American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. 8 20-24.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Blotchy bass syndrome (BBS) is a condition characterized by visible, variable, pathognomonic areas of hyperpigmentation on the external surface of black basses. Advances in sequencing technology and diagnostic capabilities have informed aquatic disease biosurveillance efforts, and subsequently led to the discovery that this condition is associated with viruses of the family Adomaviridae. The public is often aware of and interested in fish and wildlife diseases, particularly those that lead to changes in the appearance of animals or affect species of high recreational or commercial value like black basses. Crowdsourced data collection can be used to increase community engagement and buy-in, as well as expand geographical and temporal sampling coverage beyond realistic management agency resources. We opted to leverage crowd-sourcing efforts including traditional solicitation as well as using smartphone applications and virtual fishing events. Multiple discrete, but overlapping efforts were undertaken starting in August of 2021. During March of 2022, state agency partners solicited reports of BBS via social media, requesting that anglers submit photos and catch location information. Second, during the Summer and Fall of 2022 a virtual BioBlitz was conducted using the Angler’s Atlas MyCatch smartphone application, incentivized with prizes awarded by Bass Pro Shops. The “Blotchy Bass Bonanza” citizen science effort was launched in July of 2022 and encompassed all freshwater waterbodies within the United States and Canada. Between the two efforts data were submitted from 31 states, 6 Canadian provinces, as well as individual submissions from Mexico as well as Spain. Anglers submitted a total of 1,077 digital photographs of individual fish with presumptive BBS for professional review. Based on MyCatch catch per unit effort metrics (0.763 bass per hour) and BBS prevalence (1.9%), we estimated the equivalent of 70,082 donated personnel hours by citizen scientist anglers with an estimated value of $2,120,666.