What is the primary purpose of electrofishing?

The primary purpose of electrofishing is to capture fish using electric currents. This technique utilizes electricity to temporarily stun fish, allowing researchers and fishery managers to collect them for study or relocation. The electric current does not kill the fish but temporarily immobilizes them, making it easier to net and examine various species. This method is particularly effective in shallow waters and is used to assess fish populations, monitor biodiversity, and conduct species surveys.

While measuring water quality, enhancing fish growth, and assessing habitat health are important aspects of fisheries management and ecology, they are not the direct purposes of electrofishing. Each of these activities can contribute to a broader understanding of aquatic ecosystems and fish populations, but the focal point of electrofishing remains on the immediate capture of fish for research or management purposes.