MA NFC Recognizes Adam Kautza from MassWildlife...

(Left to Right) MA NFC board members Jeff Moore, Brian Hutchison, and Ben Heinze (Vice Chair,) with MassWildlife Coldwater Fisheries Project Leader Adam Kautza (holding plaque)…

The Massachusetts chapter of Native Fish Coalition recently recognized MassWildlife Coldwater Fisheries Project Leader Adam Kautza for his ongoing support of our efforts.

Adam supported MA NFCs first full stream assessment by e-fishing Trout Brook in Dover MA twice. Unfortunately, while unique cool water species such as redfin pickerel, tessellated darter, and banded sunfish were conformed, we were unable to locate any brook trout as we feared might be the case.

Adam came to Cold Spring Brook in Cold Spring Park in Newton MA to e-fish to try to confirm the presence of American eel NFC had detected during eDNA sampling. Amazingly, two eels were shocked exactly where the eDNA data said they would be, and in the most distressed stream we have ever worked on.

Adam supported NFCs efforts at Cheesecake Brook in Newton as well. A heavily altered urban stream, we were able to confirm the presence of American eel as well as native white suckers and nonnative common carp via e-fishing.