LITTLE ROCK — Thirty juvenile Alabama shad are striking out on a 650-mile journey from the Ouachita River in southwest Arkansas to the Gulf Coast and beyond, and for the first time in history, biologists with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will be tagging along.

*AGFC biologists hope to track 30 transmitter-equipped Alabama shad from their spawning grounds in Arkansas to the Gulf Coast. AGFC photo by Forrest Talley.*

The Alabama shad is ranked as the fourth-rarest fish in Arkansas and is being considered as a candidate for the Endangered Species Act by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Each year Alabama shad spawned in the Ouachita River embark on a quest to reach salt water of the Gulf Coast. The fish is a mere 7-inch juvenile when it begins this trek, which leads it through many dangerous obstacles, including four locks and dams built for barge traffic.

Biologists know shockingly little about their life cycle aside from the endpoints of this amazing journey. Do they make this journey multiple times? Are there critical areas they visit along the way? How do they get past the dams? The questions surrounding this species are as vast as the waters it travels.

According to Jeff Quinn, AGFC River and Stream Program Supervisor, the Alabama shad is the only anadromous fish species in Arkansas — meaning it spawns in The Natural State and travels to salt water in the ocean as a component of its life cycle. One other species, the American eel, makes a similar migration but in reverse, spawning in the salt water of the ocean and traveling to fresh water in Arkansas during its life before returning to the Sargasso Sea.

Unraveling the secrets of this fish’s life cycle has been the largest obstacle in its conservation. Adult shad are extremely elusive and fragile, thwarting many previous tracking studies.

AGFC biologists have turned their attention to the juveniles through a groundbreaking effort. Last fall, they captured 30 young shad and implanted them with transmitters to track their migration. The transmitters, implanted by AGFC veterinarians, will coordinate with a series of hydrophones to “ping” each shad’s location as it passes nearby.

All 30 shad selected for research survived the implantation of tiny transmitters that will record movement as they pass by established recording units. AGFC photo by Forrest Talley.

This is the first time such a study has been attempted on juvenile Alabama shad. The species is notoriously fragile and prone to stress from temperature changes and handling trauma.

State Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Jenn Ballard and AGFC Fish Pathologist Kelly Winningham worked in tandem to research and formulate a plan for the implantation procedure. The transmitter, roughly the size and shape of a piece of drinking straw as long as a penny is wide, had to be inserted in the body cavity of these extremely slender fish in a way that would not hinder their movement.

“We came up with some innovative solutions to overcome the fragile nature of the species,” Ballard said. “We even had fresh water flowing over the gills during the procedure through an IV setup instead of a water pump to ensure a constant but gentle flow of oxygenated water to the fish while the surgery was conducted.”

AGFC Wildlife Health Biologist AJ Riggs, AGFC Veterinary Trainee Robert Edwards and AGFC Conservation Program Technician Christina Little assisted with the surgeries, while Jeff Newman, AGFC Hatchery Manager of the Andrew Hulsey State Fish Hatchery, coordinated with Quinn and AGFC Rivers Biologist Chelsea Gilliland to collect, monitor, transport and release the shad.

Biologists employed many creative solutions to successfully implant transmitters in diminutive Alabama shad. The gloves seen in this image produce a light electrical current to immobilize fish for surgery, avoiding chemicals. AGFC photo by Jeff Quinn.

Thanks to the creative solutions by the capture and implantation teams, all 30 of the shad selected for the study survived the procedure and showed no serious effects from the transmitter’s size during post-surgery observation.

“This project is really cutting-edge science,” Quinn said. “We didn’t even think this project was possible earlier this year. Our success is because we assembled a highly skilled and dedicated team, studied successes with other species, and were willing to take chances and fail.”

The data gleaned from this study will be crucial in understanding the Alabama shad’s migratory patterns, habitat use and the challenges they face. This knowledge is vital for effective conservation management and could be the key to preventing this remarkable species from disappearing altogether.

Quinn recently joined Trey Reid for an episode of the Arkansas Wildlife Podcast to talk about this exciting research project. Watch the show on the AGFC YouTube channel or find the podcast on your favorite platform.

BY Trey Reid

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has partnered with Nativ, a leading Arkansas-based outdoor apparel brand, to launch a limited edition collection of apparel benefitting the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation.

The new clothing line, featuring a retro version of the AGFC’s logo, is part of a collaborative effort to raise awareness and funds earmarked to support conservation and encourage outdoor stewardship across the state.

The collaboration combines Nativ’s passion for delivering high-quality, locally inspired apparel with AGFC’s dedication to protecting the state’s diverse ecosystems and wildlife.

Trey Reid, Assistant Chief of Communications at AGFC, said the AGFC fields frequent calls about old WMA signs sporting older versions of the agency’s logo. He believes there are likely “more than a few” gracing the walls of deer and duck camps around the state.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Game and Fish to tap into the enthusiasm and nostalgia surrounding this first design,” said Nativ owner Matt Abbott.

The new collection includes a range of items, including short and long-sleeved T-shirts and hoodies. Each item features designs hand-printed in Nativ’s Little Rock production facility and colors chosen to complement gear for many outdoor activities, from hunting to hiking and fishing to floating.

“We wanted to create a great collection that serves a greater purpose,” added Brett Tucker, Nativ co-owner. “The retro design emphasizes the importance of conservation for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations.”

Nativ has pledged to donate 100 percent of profits from the sale of this collection to the Foundation, which will use the money to help statewide efforts to maintain and protect the state’s natural habitats and wildlife populations.

“This collaboration is a fantastic way to engage our community in conservation efforts while celebrating the natural beauty of Arkansas,” said Reid. “Funds raised through this collaboration will directly contribute to our conservation programs, ensuring that Arkansas remains a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and native wildlife alike.”

This partnership with Nativ reflects AGFC’s broader mission to engage the public in conservation efforts through education, stewardship and community involvement.

“We hope this collection inspires you to get outside and explore all the natural beauty Arkansas has to offer while being a mindful steward of the environment,” said Matt Abbott.

The limited edition Arkansas Game and Fish Commission/Nativ collection is available now on Nativ’s website at https://livnativ.com/collections/agfc and in select retail locations throughout Arkansas.

Contact Brett Tucker, co-owner of Nativ at brett@livnativ.com for more information about the limited edition apparel collection.

For more information on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, contact Trey Reid, AGFC assistant chief of communications at trey.reid@agfc.ar.gov.

Little fish, epic journey: Arkansas biologists track 650-mile migration of Alabama shad

Nostalgic Nativ clothing supports AGFC conservation efforts