Performance Report. B. Project Title: Evaluating Atlantic and Shortnose Sturgeon Behavior Related to the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project

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1 Performance Report A. Grantee: S. C. Department of Natural Resources B. Project Title: Evaluating Atlantic and Shortnose Sturgeon Behavior Related to the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project C. Principle Investigator: William C. Post D. Period Covered by this report: From 1/1/18 to 12/31/18 E. Summary of Progress to Date: Brief Project Description This research program includes several main objectives: 1. SCDNR would acquire and insert 1 sonic transmitters per year into Atlantic sturgeon in the Savannah River Estuary and an additional 1 sonic transmitters into shortnose sturgeon. These fish should be collected and tagged with sonic transmitters within or as close as possible to the estuary. The goal would be a / split between adults/subadults and juvenile fish. All sturgeon collected will be weighed, measured, Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tagged, and have a fin clip taken for genetic analysis before being released. 2. Acquisition, operation, and maintenance of 23 receivers per year are included in the statement of work. Receivers would be concentrated in the estuary, where the impacts of harbor deepening are anticipated (Figure 1). 3. Manual tracking of instrumented fish will occur monthly July September and at least quarterly for the remainder of the year. Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) and shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) inhabit many rivers of the U.S. Atlantic coast, including many South Carolina Rivers. As part of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP), in 213 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)-Savannah District committed to monitor the distribution of sturgeon within the Savannah River Estuary. As a result, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) was contracted to conduct a telemetry study pre-construction, during construction, and post-construction to collect movement data for both species of sturgeon and report findings to the USACE. Detection data collected during this study will be used to identify patterns of movement regarding seasonal distribution and spawning migrations. This will be accomplished through the use of an array of ~6 acoustic receivers that are able to detect both species of sturgeon tagged with transmitters. Results of this multi-year study will indicate how the SHEP is affecting populations of Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon in the Savannah River Watershed. Work Accomplishments 1

2 Netting/Fish Captured Forty-eight total net sets took place in the Savannah River during this reporting period with a total of 64.3 net hours (net hour = one 92 m set for one hour). Gill net mesh sizes ranged from cm to cover all life stages. Generally, soak times varied based on water temperature and dissolved oxygen concentration, but all nets sets adhered specifically to allowed specifications in the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 1 (a) (1) (A) sampling permit. A total of 13 shortnose and eight Atlantic sturgeon were captured and tagged in this reporting period. Two adult/four juvenile Atlantic sturgeon and three adult shortnose sturgeon were implanted with transmitters (Table 1, Figure 2). Transmitters were surgically implanted in the abdominal cavity of Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon following published guidelines for the location, size, and closure of the incisions as well as application of betadine ointment (Conte et al. 1988; Fox et al. 2; Cooke and Leach 24; Collins et al. 2). Fish condition, inappropriate size, and recaptures precludes some fish from receiving transmitters. Examples of netting activities and sturgeon captures are provided in Appendix 1. Telemetry Twenty-nine shortnose sturgeon were detected in the Front River, 2 in the Middle River, and four in the Back River during the reporting period (Figure 3 ). Most transmitted shortnose sturgeon detected used the Front River (river kilometer [rkm] 22 ) and Middle River (rkm 8). Four shortnose sturgeon were detected in the Back River (rkm 6 and 16). Twenty-six Atlantic sturgeon were detected in the Front River, ten in the Middle River, and one in the Back River during reporting period (Figure 6 8). Most transmitted Atlantic sturgeon detected used the Front River (rkm 22 ) and Middle River (rkm 8). One Atlantic sturgeon was detected in the Back River (rkm 6). Three Atlantic sturgeon were detected at presumed spawning grounds (rkm 2 and 3). Receiver Acquisition/Operation/Maintenance Twenty-five receivers have been deployed from the South Channel of Savannah River to Front River at river kilometer (rkm), Middle, and Back River. In order to reduce receiver and/or data loss in this extremely dynamic environment, receiver maintenance occurred on a routine basis. This involved cleaning and inspecting the condition of the devices, and in some cases redeploying associated riggings. All receivers within the study area were downloaded, cleaned, and received replacement batteries if necessary. GPS locations of receivers are included as part of this progress report (Table 2). Twenty-three receivers have been purchased to replace malfunctioning or missing receivers. Resulting telemetry data will continue to be shared with Sergio Bernardes (University of Georgia) through Google Drive with a residency master list. Manual tracking 2

3 Manual tracking efforts were completed each month with an emphasis on locating transmitted fish in Front, Middle, and Back Rivers. Two adult Atlantic sturgeon and three adult/two juvenile shortnose sturgeon were located during this progress report period. All initial detections of SHEP fish by VR-1 during manual tracking are included in this report (Table 3). Temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity were recorded at 1-meter water depth intervals at the location of each detected sturgeon. Planned downloads of estuarine receivers should provide information for missing fish with subsequent manual tracking efforts based on those locations. Manual tracking data were provided to Sergio Bernardes at UGA through Google Drive for incorporation into the overall project database. 3

4 Figure 1. Vemco receiver locations within proximity to the Kings Island Turning Basin. 4

5 Table 1. Capture data for Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon quarterly report (1/1/218 12/31/218). Atlantic sturgeon are abbreviated as A. oxy and shortnose sturgeon are abbreviated as A. brev. N/A=Not Applicable. Date Species PIT FL mm TL mm Wt g Transmitter # Sex 1/9/218 A. oxy 6C A Unknown 11/7/218 A. oxy A181F4C2F A Unknown 11/7/218 A. oxy A181F4C A Unknown 11/7/218 A. brev N/A Unknown 11/9/218 A. oxy A1367D A Unknown 11/16/218 A. oxy A181F4C N/A Unknown 11/16/218 A. oxy N/A Unknown 11/16/218 A. oxy A Unknown 11/16/218 A. oxy A181F4C A Unknown 12/7/218 A. brev A Unknown 12/11/218 A. brev A181F4C N/A Unknown 12/11/218 A. brev N/A Unknown 12/11/218 A. brev N/A Unknown 12/11/218 A. brev A181F4C2C N/A Unknown 12/11/218 A. brev N/A Unknown 12/11/218 A. brev A181F4C N/A Unknown 12/11/218 A. brev N/A Unknown 12/11/218 A. brev A181F4CA N/A Unknown 12/11/218 A. brev A181F4C N/A Unknown 12/11/218 A. brev A181F4C1D A Female 12/11/218 A. brev A Female

6 Number of Sturgeon Atlantic Sturgeon Shortnose Sturgeon Fork Length (mm) Figure 2. Size distribution of Atlantic sturgeon (N = 8) and shortnose sturgeon (N = 13) captured during the current reporting period (1/1/218 12/31/218) in the Savannah River. 6

7 Table 2. GPS coordinates of Savannah River receiver locations. Receiver Station Name Latitude Longitude SC-Savannah-RKM Jetty SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM 29 KITB SC-Savannah-RKM 3 KITB SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM 47 Abercorn Creek SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM 192 Hwy SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM 2 Johnson Landing SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM

8 Table 2. GPS Coordinates of Savannah River receiver locations (continued). Receiver Station Name Latitude Longitude SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM SC-Savannah-RKM 36 Jason's Dock SC-Savannah-RKM 321 Augusta Marina SC-Savannah-RKM 327 Lower Shoals SC-Savannah-RKM 329 I-2 Downstream SC-Savannah RKM 333 Upper shoals SC-Savannah-Middle River-RKM SC-Savannah-Middle River-RKM SC-Savannah-Middle River-RKM SC-Savannah-Middle River-RKM SC-Savannah-Middle River-RKM SC-Savannah-Back River-RKM SC-Savannah-Back River-RKM SC-Savannah-Back River-RKM SC-Savannah-Back River-RKM SC-Savannah-Back River-RKM

9 Temperature ( C) River Kilometer 6 Figure 3. Shortnose sturgeon detections in the Front River. Blue markers represent shortnose sturgeon (N = 29) detections at respective river kilometer. Temperature ( C) is depicted as the black line Temperature ( C) River Kilometer Figure 4. Shortnose sturgeon detections in the Middle River. Blue markers represent shortnose sturgeon (N = 2) detections at respective river kilometer. Temperature ( C) is depicted as the black line. 9

10 River Kilometer Temperature ( C) Figure. Shortnose sturgeon detections in the Back River. Blue markers represent shortnose sturgeon (N = 4) detections at respective river kilometer. Temperature ( C) is depicted as the black line. 1

11 River Kilometer Temperature ( C) River Kilometer Temperature ( C) Figure 6. Atlantic sturgeon detections in the Front River. Red markers represent Atlantic sturgeon (N = 26) detections at respective river kilometer. Temperature ( C) is depicted as the black line Figure 7. Atlantic sturgeon detections in the Middle River. Red markers represent Atlantic sturgeon (N = 1) detections at respective river kilometer. Temperature ( C) is depicted as the black line. 11

12 River Kilometer Temperature ( C) Figure 8. Atlantic sturgeon detections in the Back River. Red markers represent Atlantic sturgeon (N = 1) detections at respective river kilometer. Temperature ( C) is depicted as the black line. 12

13 Table 3. Manual tracking database of initial detections. N/A=Not Available Tracking Date Species Capture Date Transmitter # Latitude Longitude Temp ( C) DO (mg/l) Conductivity 2/27/214 A. oxy 11/7/213 A /17/214 A. brev 12/11/213 A /2/214 A. brev 2/21/214 A /2/214 A. brev 3/7/214 A /2/214 A. brev 2/28/214 A /18/214 A. brev 2/28/214 A /22/214 A. brev 3/7/214 A /24/214 A. brev 11/21/213 A /1/21 A. oxy 3/6/21 A /1/21 A. brev 12/17/214 A //21 A. brev 12/17/214 A /12/21 A. brev 12/17/214 A /12/21 A. oxy 11/14/213 A /12/21 A. brev 3/2/21 A /14/21 A. brev 11/11/214 A /21/21 A. oxy 8/6/21 A Salinity (ppt) 1/8/21 A. brev 12/17/214 A /13/21 A. oxy 9/22/21 A N/A N/A N/A N/A 1/13/21 A. oxy 9/22/21 A N/A N/A N/A N/A 1/13/21 A. oxy 9/21/21 A N/A N/A N/A N/A 1/13/21 A. oxy 9/22/21 A N/A N/A N/A N/A 1/13/21 A. brev 9/22/21 A N/A N/A N/A N/A 11/1/21 A. brev 11//21 A /1/21 A. oxy 11//21 A /12/216 A. oxy 9/21/21 A /12/216 A. oxy 3/14/214 A /27/216 A. brev 12/3/21 A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2/27/217 A. oxy 2/24/217 A /27/217 A. brev 2/24/217 A /3/217 A. oxy 4/2/217 A /3/217 A. oxy 4/2/217 A /3/217 A. brev 4/2/217 A /3/217 A. oxy 4/27/217 A /23/217 A. brev 11/3/216 A /23/217 A. brev 9/22/21 A /23/217 A. oxy 12/2/216 A /12/217 A. oxy 3/31/217 A /22/217 A. brev 11/9/216 A

14 Table 3. Manual tracking database of initial detections (continued). N/A=Not Available Tracking Date Species Capture Date Transmitter # Latitude Longitude Temp ( C) DO (mg/l) Conductivity 9/22/217 A. brev 11/3/216 A /24/217 A. oxy 4/2/217 A /21/217 A. brev 12/8/216 A /21/217 A. oxy /16/217 A /21/217 A. oxy /17/217 A /21/217 A. oxy 11/2/217 A /26/218 A. brev 1/9/218 A N/A N/A N/A N/A 2/13/218 A. brev 2/1/218 A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3/13/218 A. oxy 2/1/218 A /19/218 A. brev 2/23/218 A /19/218 A. oxy 3/29/218 A /19/218 A. brev 4/6/218 A /19/218 A. oxy 4/6/218 A /19/218 A. oxy 4/17/218 A /12/218 A. brev 4/17/218 A //218 A. brev 4/2/217 A Salinity (ppt) 11/2/218 A. brev /3/218 A

15 Literature Cited Collins, M.R., S.G. Rogers, T.I.J. Smith, and M.L. Moser. 2. Primary factors affecting sturgeon populations in the Southeastern United States: fishing mortality and degradation of essential habitats. Bulletin of Marine Science 66: Conte, F.S., S.I. Doroshov, P.B. Lutes, and E.M. Strange Hatchery manual for the white sturgeon (Acipenser tranmontanus Richardson) with application to other North American Acipenseridae. University of California Cooperative Extension Service Publication 3322, Oakland, California, 14pp. Cooke, D.W. and S.D. Leach. 24. Santee Cooper Diadromous Fish Project. Report No. SCE South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Columbia, South Carolina. Fox, D.A., J.E. Hightower, and F.M. Parauka. 2. Gulf Sturgeon spawning migration and habitat in the Choctawhatchee River System, Alabama-Florida. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 129:

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