Evaluating Atlantic and Shortnose Sturgeon Behavior Related to the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project Cooperative Agreement Numbers W912EP-13-2-0002-0004 & W912EP-13-2-0002-0003 Annual Report FY 2014 (November 1, 2013 October 31, 2014) Submitted by Bill Post, Chad Holbrook, Corbett Norwood, and Jeremy Grigsby South Carolina Department of Natural Resources 217 Fort Johnson Rd. Charleston, SC 29412 Submitted to: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Planning Division 100 W. Oglethorpe Avenue Savannah, GA 3140
Table of Contents Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP)...2 SHEP Estuarine Study... 2 Introduction... 2 Material and Methods... 2 Results... 4 Discussion... 7 SHEP New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam (NSBL&D) Study... 8 Introduction... 8 Material and Methods... 8 Results... 10 Discussion... 13 Literature Cited... 14 Appendix 1. Project Pictures... 15 Appendix 2. Water quality data... 19 Appendix 3. Adult Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon spawning movement... 26 1
Savannah Harbor Expansion Project Estuarine Study Introduction The 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, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Savannah District committed to monitor the distribution of sturgeon in the Savannah River Estuary. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) was selected to conduct a telemetry study to collect movement data for both species of sturgeon and report finding to the USACE. The USACE has committed to monitoring distribution of sturgeon in the estuary for one year preconstruction, during construction (duration of four years), and post-construction years. This will be accomplished through the use of telemetry and sonic transmitters and will identify seasonal distribution and migration patterns. Material and Methods In year one of the study, the proposed goals were for SCDNR to capture and insert 20 sonic transmitters into sturgeon (10 Atlantic sturgeon and 10 shortnose sturgeon) in the Savannah River Estuary. The goal was a 50/50 split between adult and juvenile shortnose sturgeon and sub-adult and juvenile Atlantic sturgeon. Shortnose sturgeon juveniles were those with fork lengths (FL) less than 600mm and shortnose sturgeon adults were those with a FL greater than 600mm. Atlantic sturgeon juveniles were those fish with FL less than 800mm and sub-adults were those with FL greater than 800mm but 2
less than 1200mm. Two sizes of transmitter were used in the study, depending on the transmitter/fish size ratio. Vemco V9 tags were inserted into juveniles and V16 tags were inserted into adults/sub-adult fish. Theses transmitters have an estimated life of 387 days and 4 years, respectively. Sturgeon were captured by deploying 92m mono-filament sinking set gill nets. In most cases, these gill nets were deployed and set for no longer than 60 minutes (Appendix 1). Oxygen was used and monitored in holding tank while fish were tagged and life history data was recorded. Transmitters were surgically implanted in the abdominal cavity of Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon following standard surgery protocols. During summer months, sampling ceased due to elevated water temperature and requirements of the Section 10 Endangered Species Permit. Additionally, an array of 25 fixed Vemco VR2W receivers were deployed from the mouth of the river through the Front, Middle, and Back Savannah River. Receivers were deployed closer in proximity to the King Island Turn Basin and the entrance to the Middle River, as this has previously been determined important habitat for sturgeon (Collins et al. 2002) (Figure 1). When accessible, receivers were downloaded every few months at normal water levels and all downloaded files were imported into Vemco VUE software for analysis. Additionally, manual tracking was performed monthly with a Vemco VR-100 receiver to better characterize acceptable habitat for Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon in the Savannah River Estuary and to find fish that might otherwise be lost in between receiver locations. Tracking efforts consisted of using the VR-100 and hydrophone every 0.3 kilometers which began on the Savannah River at Mill Stone Landing around river kilometer (rkm 54), proceeded downriver to Abercorn Creek, and continued down the Front River to the King Island Turn Basin, with tracking events 3
occurring in the Middle and Back Rivers. If a fish was detected, the latitude, longitude, temperature, salinity and oxygen profile at 1-m depth intervals was taken at each location of detected sturgeon (Appendix 2). Figure1. Vemco receiver locations within proximity to the King Island Turn Basin. Results Twenty-nine Atlantic sturgeon were captured and thirteen (8 sub-adult and 5 juveniles) were surgically implanted with transmitters. Sixteen shortnose sturgeon were captured and fourteen (7 adult and 7 juveniles) were surgically implanted with transmitters 4
(Table1). Life history information (length, weight, etc.) were recorded for all captured sturgeon and all transmitted fish were detected by at least one receiver. Table1. Sturgeon capture data for the Savannah River Estuary SHEP project. Date River Species PIT FL (mm) TL (mm) WT (g) Genetics Transmitter Code 11/5/2013 Savannah A. brev (juvenile) 4A0E18502E 438 501 300 MS-246 12759 11/5/2013 Savannah A. oxy (juvenile) 4A73115815 638 744 1380 MS-245 12748 11/7/2013 Savannah A. oxy (juvenile) 4A0E00482D 497 582 700 MS-248 12754 11/7/2013 Savannah A. oxy (juvenile) 4A0D4F704C 505 578 675 MS-247 12749 11/13/2013 Savannah A. oxy (juvenile) 4A3F2A4F36 486 552 600 MS-249 12750 11/14/2013 Savannah A. oxy (juvenile) 4A0D5B5B7E 330 389 90 MS-251 12758 11/14/2013 Savannah A. oxy (juvenile) 4A0E1D2325 439 502 357 MS-252 12753 11/14/2013 Savannah A. oxy (juvenile) 4A0E142F3A 477 555 635 MS-253 12752 11/14/2013 Savannah A. oxy (sub/adult) 4A0E260F25 889 1030 8000 MS-250 26324 11/21/2013 Savannah A. brev (juvenile) 0A13675E61 499 569 685 MS-258 12746 11/21/2013 Savannah A. brev (juvenile) 0A13675E58 584 683 1340 MS-257 12747 11/22/2013 Savannah A. brev (juvenile) 0A13675A75 554 641 1040 MS-264 12751 12/5/2013 Savannah A. oxy (sub/adult) 0A13675A77 842 967 6350 MS-266 45672 12/11/2013 Savannah A. brev (juvenile) 0A13674B1B 492 562 620 MS-273 12745 12/11/2013 Savannah A. brev (juvenile) 0A13674B22 559 647 1100 MS-272 26322 2/21/2014 Savannah A. brev (juvenile) 4A0E16614C 511 598 795 MS-277 12770 2/21/2014 Savannah A. brev (adult) 4A0E210716 679 776 2280 MS-275 26318 2/21/2014 Savannah A. brev (juvenile) 4A0D570F38 770 887 4994 MS-276 26320 2/28/2014 Savannah A. brev (adult) 0A13675D47 673 785 200 MS-278 26314 2/28/2014 Savannah A. brev (adult) 0A13675D3C 780 880 5221 MS-280 45962 2/28/2014 Savannah A. oxy (sub/adult) 0A13675D70 858 1013 8172 MS-279 26316 3/7/2014 Savannah A. brev (adult) 0A13092F54 636 720 1625 MS-284 45964 3/7/2014 Savannah A. brev (adult) 0A13675D6C 693 810 2722 MS-282 45956 3/7/2014 Savannah A. brev (adult) 0A13675D5A 1040 1196 9979 MS-285 45954 3/14/2014 Savannah A. brev (adult) 0A13675D7D 947 1065 7000 MS-288 2235 3/14/2014 Savannah A. oxy (sub/adult) 0A13675D2D 956 1084 6500 MS-287 45960 3/21/2014 Savannah A. oxy (sub/adult) 0A13092F35 835 970 4500 MS-289 26323 As was observed in previous studies, shortnose sturgeon were detected in the middle river mouth, and front river (rkm 27-36) during the winter and spring months (Figure 2). Then, when the water temperature began to increase in summer months, most of the transmitted 5
shortnose migrated to the front river (rkm 38 44) near Abercorn Creek. Fish remained in the front river ~rkm 44 until temperatures decreased, then fish returned to the Middle River mouth area. Three adult shortnose sturgeon made presumed spawning runs in March to potential spawning habitat at (rkm 109, 162, 191.5; respectively). Figure 2. Location of shortnose sturgeon in the winter and spring months. Atlantic Sturgeon were detected in the Middle River mouth area during the winter and spring months until the water temperature began to increase in April and May. Six Atlantic sturgeon left the Savannah River system and were later detected in other coastal rivers (Cooper River, Charleston Harbor, Winyah Bay System, Little River, Ossabaw 6
Sound, and Santee River). In addition to receiver downloads, manual tracking occurred every month during year one of the study. One Atlantic and six shortnose sturgeon that were transmitted during this study and six Atlantic and 18 shortnose from a previous telemetry study were detected during these events. Location and water quality data were recorded for each fish and were entered in the database. Manual tracking efforts are scheduled to continue throughout the study. Discussion During this year, the SCDNR was successful in all objectives in the USACE statement of work for this study. Twenty sturgeon (both species and both life stages) were captured and received transmitters. All purchased receivers were deployed within the study area and downloaded every few months. Additionally, manual tracking efforts were carried out as specified in the statement of work (monthly or quarterly). Analysis of collected sturgeon detections concluded that both Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon use the Middle and Front Savannah River (rkm 27-35) during the winter and early spring months. Most Atlantic sturgeon exit the river system in April - May. There was no notable difference between juvenile and sub/adult shortnose sturgeon movement in the estuary, and adult movement differed from that of the sub-adult Atlantic sturgeon, with some individuals undertaking migrations potential up-river spawning habitat in March. To further illustrate this point, spawning migration data from a previous multi-year telemetry study for both shortnose and Atlantic sturgeon are provided in Appendix 3. This figure is provided for informational purpose only and is not intended to be included as any part of this scope of work. Since these are multi-year transmitters, future scheduled work will help identify requirement habitat for both species of sturgeon within the study area. 7
SHEP New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam Study Introduction As part of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District (USACE) committed to monitor sturgeon and anadromous fish at the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam (NSBL&D) and an off-channel rock ramp bypass that is proposed to be constructed around NSBL&D near Augusta, GA. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) is conducting a telemetry study to collect information concerning movement of fish around the structure. Materials and Methods The Savannah River NSBL&D is located at rkm 302 just below the Augusta Shoals. In order to assess behavior of fish upstream and downstream of the structure, Vemco VR2W receivers were placed above and below the NSBL&D and future site of the rock arch ramp bypass. To address those fish that pass above, six receivers were placed just above the NSBL&D to the upper Augusta Shoals area, with the furthest being 32 rkm above the dam (Figure3). Below the dam, there are fifty-four receivers located from just below the NSBL&D to those that are deployed in the estuary, providing full coverage of the river from rkm 333 - rkm 0. Receivers were downloaded every few months, when accessible at normal water levels, and all files were downloaded and imported in to Vemco VUE software for analysis. 8
Figure 3. Receivers located above New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam. In an attempt to capture target specimens, drift gillnets, set gillnets, and boat electrofishing was used. A 68.5 meter drift gill net with 12.7 cm stretch mesh was used when water levels exceeded flood conditions. All other times, set nets that were 92 meters in length with either 12.7 or 17.8 cm stretch mesh. These nets were set for no longer than 60 minutes and sampling ceased in summer months when water temperatures were above 28 degrees. Additionally, to capture other fish representative of those that might use the new rock arch ramp bypass, boat electrofishing equipment was used. 9
Transmitters (Vemco V9) were implanted gastrically in any captured American shad and Vemco V16 transmitters were surgically implanted in the abdominal cavity of any striped bass, hybrid bass, or sturgeon. The V9 and V16 have an estimated battery life of 187 days and 4 years respectively. Results Sampling occurred in April 2014 at the NSBL&D site (rkm 300) using both drift and set gill nets for sturgeon. No sturgeon were captured. During the same month, electrofishing sampling at the same site in order to capture other representative fish occurred (Figure 4). Twelve American shad (Alosa sapidissima) were captured, measured, and gastrically implanted with V9 sonic transmitters, and two striped bass (Morone saxatilis) and a hybrid bass (Morone chrysops x Morone saxatilis) were surgically implanted with V16 transmitters (Table 2). 10
Figure 4. Sampling area below New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam. 11
Table 2. American shad and striped bass transmitted at NSBL&D. Date River Species Sex External FL (mm) TL (mm) Transmitter Code 4/18/2014 Savannah A. sap F F33786 506 562 12755 4/18/2014 Savannah A. sap M F14449 420 481 12756 4/18/2014 Savannah A. sap F F33782 473 533 12757 4/18/2014 Savannah A. sap F F33785 477 520 12761 4/18/2014 Savannah A. sap M F14448 438 490 12762 4/18/2014 Savannah A. sap M F14446 391 440 12763 4/18/2014 Savannah A. sap F F33781 489 544 12764 4/18/2014 Savannah A. sap M F14450 310 345 12767 4/18/2014 Savannah A. sap F F33783 448 500 12768 4/18/2014 Savannah A. sap M F14445 400 455 12769 4/18/2014 Savannah A. sap F F33784 478 532 12773 4/18/2014 Savannah A. sap M F14447 455 513 12774 4/18/2014 Savannah M. sax? F14451 631 667 26319 4/18/2014 Savannah M. sax? F32837 550 595 26321 All fish captured and transmitted at NSBL&D were detected on at least one receiver. Ten transmitted American shad stayed below the NSBL&D at (rkm 301) and two (male and female) were detected above the NSBL&D at (rkm 321). The striped and hybrid bass were detected on multiple receivers, with the striped bass migrating down to (rkm 34) and the hybrid bass detected as low as (rkm 214). Additionally, three striped bass, that were tagged in the estuary in cooperation with the Georgia DNR, were detected just below NSBL&B from February May. One migrated down river and the other two stayed within 30 rkm of NSBL&D throughout the summer season. Generally, American shad found in southern river systems below Cape Hatteras, NC are thought to be semelparous, meaning they spawn once and die, so it is very likely American shad transmitted at NSBL&D during this study also die after spawning. Careful analysis of receiver detections were performed in order to confirm that receivers 12
tracking American shad were not detecting the transmitter of a deceased fish at the NSBL&D. Discussion During this year, the SCDNR was successful in all objectives in the USACE statement of work for this study. All receivers were deployed above and below the NSBL&D for the pre-construction period. Although no sturgeon were transmitted in year one at NSBL&D, future spring and fall sampling should increase the probability of tagging adult Atlantic sturgeon. American shad, striped bass, and hybrid bass were successfully transmitted, and receiver detections showed extensive movement and the presence of some shad above NSBL&D. This is evidence, that in at least some years, shad are passed upstream via the navigation lock or during extreme high flows through the structure itself. The transmitted striped/hybrid bass have a long-lived transmitter so future downloads should provide additional information concerning migration and spawning patterns in the Savannah River. 13
Literature Cited Collins, M. R., W. C. Post, D. C. Russ, and T.I.J. Smith. 2002. Habitat use and movements of juvenile shortnose sturgeon in the Savannah River, Georgia - South Carolina. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 131:975-979. 14
Appendix 1: 15
16
17
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Appendix 2: Date River Location Receiver Temperature Salinity Dissolved Oxygen 09-Jan-14 Savannah RM 3 111717 8.7 8.90 9.96 09-Jan-14 Savannah RM 6 121648 8.6 8.00 10.49 09-Jan-14 Savannah RM 9 111293 7.8 3.92 11.02 09-Jan-14 Savannah RM 15 111292 7.2 1.97 11.00 09-Jan-14 Savannah RM 18.5 111654 6.9 0.04 12.04 09-Jan-14 Savannah MR RM 0 121660 8.2 0.27 11.02 09-Jan-14 Savannah MR RM 1.5 111326 7.5 0.09 11.41 09-Jan-14 Savannah RM 0 111677 8.8 12.20 10.28 09-Jan-14 Savannah Sav Jetty 111318 8.8 12.20 10.26 11-Mar-14 Savannah MR RM 0 121660 14.0 0.64 6.39 11-Mar-14 Savannah RM 18.5 111654 12.8 0.12 8.07 11-Mar-14 Savannah RM 15 111637 12.6 7.45 5.43 11-Mar-14 Savannah RM 6 121648 12.3 13.18 5.02 11-Mar-14 Savannah RM 3 111717 12.2 14.04 4.66 11-Mar-14 Savannah RM 0 111677 11.9 18.32 4.27 11-Mar-14 Savannah SAV Jetty 111318 12.7 16.60 3.96 11-Mar-14 Savannah RM 21.5 111652 12.8 0.06 9.30 12-Mar-14 Savannah BR RM 13.5 111651 13.9 0.05 7.60 12-Mar-14 Savannah RM 31.5 111766 12.7 0.04 8.30 12-Mar-14 Savannah BR RM 7 111325 14.2 0.11 8.73 12-Mar-14 Savannah MR RM 5 111647 13.2 0.04 8.30 12-Mar-14 Savannah MR RM 4 121649 13.3 0.04 8.61 12-Mar-14 Savannah MR RM 2.5 111650 13.4 0.05 8.02 12-Mar-14 Savannah MR RM 1.5 111326 13.5 0.35 8.12 12-Mar-14 Savannah RM 27.5 111659 12.8 0.04 9.07 12-Mar-14 Savannah BR RM 9.5 111657 14.1 0.04 7.29 03-Apr-14 Savannah RM 79.5 111813 15.5 0.00 9.90 03-Apr-14 Savannah RM 85.5 111759 15.5 0.00 10.00 03-Apr-14 Savannah RM 94.5 111758 15.5 0.00 9.90 03-Apr-14 Savannah RM 115.5 111691 15.3 0.00 10.59 29-May-14 Savannah Sav Jetty 111318 25.6 28.12 3.83 29-May-14 Savannah RM 18.5 111654 25.0 1.93 4.77 29-May-14 Savannah RM 21.5 111652 24.6 1.34 5.09 29-May-14 Savannah MR RM 0 121660 26.3 1.45 5.33 29-May-14 Savannah RM 0 111677 25.5 28.19 4.77 29-May-14 Savannah RM 3 111717 25.6 25.06 5.13 29-May-14 Savannah RM 6 121648 25.7 17.92 5.65 29-May-14 Savannah RM 15 111637 25.1 6.00 4.91 05-Jun-14 Savannah BR RM 4 111305 26.0 1.58 6.55 19
Date River Location Receiver Temperature Salinity Dissolved Oxygen 05-Jun-14 Savannah BR RM 13.5 111651 25.2 0.06 6.47 05-Jun-14 Savannah MR RM 5 111647 25.0 0.05 6.23 05-Jun-14 Savannah RM 27.5 111659 25.6 0.05 6.40 05-Jun-14 Savannah BR RM 7 111325 26.7 0.40 6.53 05-Jun-14 Savannah MR RM 1.5 111326 25.3 0.24 5.39 05-Jun-14 Savannah Abercorn RM 1 108373 25.4 0.06 5.90 05-Jun-14 Savannah RM 24 111655 25.5 0.05 5.99 05-Jun-14 Savannah RM 22.5 111648 25.6 0.06 6.55 05-Jun-14 Savannah MR RM 2.5 111650 25.2 0.06 6.23 05-Jun-14 Savannah Abercorn RM 0 111755 25.1 0.05 6.87 17-Jun-14 Savannah RM 115.5 111691 25.0 0.00 6.13 17-Jun-14 Savannah RM 74 111826 25.7 0.00 6.32 17-Jun-14 Savannah RM 119 119008 25.0 0.06 5.98 17-Jun-14 Savannah RM 105 111757 25.5 0.00 5.63 17-Jun-14 Savannah RM 100.5 111814 25.7 0.00 5.63 17-Jun-14 Savannah RM 89.5 111756 25.7 0.00 6.95 17-Jun-14 Savannah RM 85.5 111759 25.9 0.00 6.52 17-Jun-14 Savannah RM 79.5 111813 25.9 0.00 6.58 17-Jun-14 Savannah RM 61.5 111824 25.5 0.00 6.25 17-Jun-14 Savannah RM 68 111764 25.9 0.00 6.25 17-Jun-14 Savannah RM 94.5 111758 25.6 0.00 6.04 21-Aug-14 Savannah Abercorn RM 0 108389 28.4 0.05 6.13 21-Aug-14 Savannah RM 3 111717 29.1 16.64 3.66 21-Aug-14 Savannah RM 9.5 111293 29.0 10.38 3.25 21-Aug-14 Savannah RM 15 111637 28.7 7.81 2.96 21-Aug-14 Savannah RM 24 111655 28.3 0.12 6.60 21-Aug-14 Savannah RM 27.5 111659 28.2 0.05 6.33 21-Aug-14 Savannah RM 21.5 111652 28.3 3.43 3.80 21-Aug-14 Savannah RM 22.5 111648 28.5 5.28 2.89 21-Aug-14 Savannah RM 0 111677 29.3 22.16 3.74 21-Aug-14 Savannah RM 18.5 111654 28.5 5.54 3.31 10-Sep-14 Savannah BR RM 13.5 111651 26.7 0.18 4.17 10-Sep-14 Savannah BR RM 4 111305 28.0 10.90 4.15 10-Sep-14 Savannah BR RM 7 111325 27.0 0.16 4.53 10-Sep-14 Savannah Abercorn RM 1 111754 26.5 0.05 7.00 10-Sep-14 Savannah MR RM 5 111647 27.0 0.26 4.83 10-Sep-14 Savannah MR RM 2.5 111650 27.0 1.44 4.49 20