1. Alligator Gar (Atractosteus spatula) Life History and Habitat Use in the Cache, Mississippi, and White Rivers, Arkansas.

2. Gator Gar History in Arkansas Once common in many of the rivers Actively pursued in early to mid 1900’s (commercial and sport) Mid to late 1900’s populations declining Late 1990’s AR Alligator Gar Task Force/Alligator Mgm’t Plan initiated – “fizzled out” due to other priorities Stocking efforts as recent as 2001 – (few fish) Currently much interest, but other priorities, funding, etc. dictate efforts

3. Funding and Conservation Priorities Address needs as ID’d in AWAP Umbrella Project – rivers and streams Strategy – conduct life history study Category – data gap Calculated priority score 33 worldwide ranking – G3G4 – vulnerable (uncertain) Arkansas ranking – S2? – Imperiled AR (inexact numeric rank)

4. Study Sites Historically found throughout southern 2/3 of AR (AR River Valley, MS Alluvial Plain, South Central Plain) Eco-basins of focus: Cache, White, and Mississippi Rivers Others eco-basins added dependent upon future funding or as warranted

6. Study Goal Locate and capture adult alligator gar Acquire and release hatchery reared juvenile alligator gar Monitor movements of juvenile and adult alligator gar ID spawning and nursery habitats of alligator gar

7. Materials and Methods Tag adult and juvenile alligator gar with acoustic transmitters (V16T) Monitor movement with fixed and mobile receivers (VR2 and VR100) Record immediate habitat indices upon detection All VEMCO © products

8. Additional Research Benefits Lay the foundation for future research on alligator gar in AR Pallid sturgeon studies provide: additional receivers more “ears” listening Future studies for other species, especially on MS River

9. Current Concerns Acoustic limitations Fixed stations (where and how = best) Hatchery reared fish (potential environmental adaptation problems) Tweaking (things to do differently) – no need to re-invent the wheel! Future partnerships (universities, private, etc.)

10. Caught by commercial fisherman in the White River. Weighed 215+ lbs and measured 8’2”. QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?