Mixed Deck — All CFP Topics Flashcards

Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) is best defined as:

Answer: The largest catch that can be taken from a stock indefinitely without causing population decline

MSY represents the theoretical maximum harvest that can be sustained over time without depleting the population's long-term reproductive capacity.

A fisheries biologist records total length (TL) and weight for each fish in a sample. The primary purpose of calculating a condition factor (K) is to:

Answer: Assess the relative well-being and nutritional status of fish

Condition factor K reflects how well a fish is nourished relative to its length, indicating overall health.

When restoring a coastal estuary degraded by dike enclosure, the first management action should typically be:

Answer: Restoring tidal hydrology by breaching or removing tide gates

Restoring tidal hydrology is the foundational step; vegetation and fauna recolonize naturally once salinity and inundation regimes are reestablished.

Which stock assessment method estimates fish abundance by marking a sample, releasing them, and later recapturing a second sample?

Answer: Mark-recapture (Petersen method)

The Petersen mark-recapture method uses the ratio of marked to unmarked fish in a recapture sample to estimate population size.

How does professional liability insurance protect CFP practitioners?

Answer: Covering financial losses from claims of negligence or errors

This insurance covers financial consequences of claims alleging negligence or mistakes in professional services.

Which regulatory trigger would most appropriately prompt an emergency stock assessment for a commercially harvested marine species managed under a federal fishery management plan?

Answer: Stock biomass index falling below the minimum stock size threshold (MSST)

Under U.S. federal fisheries law, a stock falling below the MSST triggers mandatory status determination and rebuilding analysis.

A biologist calculates a Relative Weight (Wr) of 78 for a largemouth bass sample. This value indicates the population is:

Answer: Below average condition, suggesting poor forage availability or high density

Wr below 100 indicates fish weigh less than the standard for their length; values around 80 suggest poor condition.

What is the importance of continuing education for CFP professionals in Environmental Impact Assessment?

Answer: Maintaining current knowledge and adapting to industry changes

Continuing education keeps professionals current with developments and best practices while meeting certification requirements.

In fisheries, what does the term 'F_MSY' represent?

Answer: The fishing mortality rate that produces maximum sustainable yield

F_MSY is the level of fishing mortality at which the stock produces its maximum sustainable yield.

What is a KPI in CFP quality management?

Answer: A measurable value showing how effectively objectives are achieved

KPIs are quantifiable measurements tied to objectives, providing actionable data about performance.

During scoping for an EIS affecting a major river fishery, which group is NOT typically required to be notified?

Answer: International fishing treaty partners in non-adjacent countries

Scoping requires notification of federal agencies, state/local governments, tribes, and the public, but international treaty partners in non-adjacent countries are not a standard NEPA requirement.

A fisheries manager wants to estimate the age structure of a walleye population. Which structure is MOST commonly used for aging this species?

Answer: Otoliths

Otoliths (sagittae) are preferred for aging walleye because they produce clearer annual rings (annuli) than scales, especially in older fish.

Under NEPA, which document is prepared when a federal agency is uncertain whether a proposed action will significantly affect the environment?

Answer: Environmental Assessment

An Environmental Assessment (EA) is prepared to determine whether a proposed action requires a full EIS or qualifies for a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).

What does NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) derived from satellite imagery indicate in riparian buffer assessments?

Answer: Vegetation greenness and density

NDVI uses near-infrared and red bands to quantify vegetation density and health, useful for assessing riparian buffer condition.

A 'total allowable catch' (TAC) set below the maximum sustainable yield is an example of which management approach?

Answer: Precautionary approach

Setting TAC below MSY embodies the precautionary approach, providing a buffer against uncertainty in stock assessment and environmental variability.

A crew electrofishing a warm-water stream sets the output to 60 Hz pulsed DC. What is the primary purpose of using pulsed rather than continuous DC?

Answer: Reduce injury to fish while maintaining galvanotaxis

Pulsed DC induces galvanotaxis while reducing the duration of electrical exposure, lowering fish mortality and injury compared with continuous DC.

What is the purpose of coded wire tags (CWTs) in hatchery fish management?

Answer: To allow hatchery fish to be identified and tracked after release, including at harvest

CWTs are small binary-coded stainless steel wires implanted in the snout of hatchery fish at release; they are detected magnetically at harvest to track survival and straying.

What is trend analysis in CFP reporting?

Answer: Examining data over time to identify patterns and changes

Trend analysis examines historical data to identify patterns, directions, and rates of change.

Which soil horizon is most important to sample when evaluating nutrient status for new pond construction?

Answer: A horizon

The A horizon (topsoil) contains the highest organic matter and nutrient concentrations most relevant to initial pond fertility.

The concept of 'population connectivity' is important in fish conservation genetics because isolated populations are more vulnerable to:

Answer: Inbreeding depression and reduced adaptive potential from loss of genetic diversity

When populations are fragmented by dams or habitat loss, restricted gene flow leads to inbreeding, genetic drift, and loss of diversity needed for long-term adaptive capacity.