Behavioral Responses of Representative Freshwater Fish Species to Electromagnetic Fields

Abstract Hydrokinetic energy is proposed as an environmentally preferred means of generating electricity from river and tidal currents. To resolve environmental concerns, it is important to investigate potential effects on aquatic organisms from the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) that are created by underwater generators and transmission cables. We evaluated the behavioral responses of some representative freshwater fishes to static and variable EMFs in a series of laboratory experiments. Fish were exposed for 46 h to a static (DC) EMF with a permanent bar magnet or to a variable (AC) EMF with an electromagnet. Fish locations were recorded with a digital imaging system, and changes in activity level and distribution relative to the magnet position were quantified at 5-min intervals. Experiments with Fathead Minnow Pimephales promelas, Redear Sunfish Lepomis microlophus, Striped Bass Morone saxatilis, Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens, and Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus produced mixed results. Except ...