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
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 7.62 3.6 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
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
Figure 1. Vemco receiver locations within proximity to the Kings Island Turning Basin. 4
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 6C6866 121 137 14 A69-91-1448 Unknown 11/7/218 A. oxy A181F4C2F 39 626 11 A69-162-287 Unknown 11/7/218 A. oxy A181F4C1 68 77 22 A69-162-2861 Unknown 11/7/218 A. brev 9891346968 746 831 4 N/A Unknown 11/9/218 A. oxy A1367D27 118 13 12 A69-91-144 Unknown 11/16/218 A. oxy A181F4C62 91 9 N/A Unknown 11/16/218 A. oxy 9891668999 99 71 1 N/A Unknown 11/16/218 A. oxy 98916689919 668 768 24 A69-162-286 Unknown 11/16/218 A. oxy A181F4C2 21 64 11 A69-162-28 Unknown 12/7/218 A. brev 989176866 71 87 3 A69-91-793 Unknown 12/11/218 A. brev A181F4C2 894 11 8 N/A Unknown 12/11/218 A. brev 989176112 76 86 36 N/A Unknown 12/11/218 A. brev 9891196714 77 873 372 N/A Unknown 12/11/218 A. brev A181F4C2C 689 781 24 N/A Unknown 12/11/218 A. brev 4111322 837 93 2 N/A Unknown 12/11/218 A. brev A181F4C4 71 8 3 N/A Unknown 12/11/218 A. brev 9891196481 74 84 31 N/A Unknown 12/11/218 A. brev A181F4CA 8 98 6 N/A Unknown 12/11/218 A. brev A181F4C38 74 81 44 N/A Unknown 12/11/218 A. brev A181F4C1D 96 188 1 A69-91-7931 Female 12/11/218 A. brev 92366471 88 98 73 A69-91-793 Female
Number of Sturgeon 8 7 6 Atlantic Sturgeon Shortnose Sturgeon 4 3 2 1 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
Table 2. GPS coordinates of Savannah River receiver locations. Receiver Station Name Latitude Longitude SC-Savannah-RKM Jetty 32.3467-8.8167 SC-Savannah-RKM 2 32.3746-8.899833 SC-Savannah-RKM 8 32.7142-8.93912 SC-Savannah-RKM 1 32.7783-8.98233 SC-Savannah-RKM 16 32.89833-81.19 SC-Savannah-RKM 23 32.8286-81.9383 SC-Savannah-RKM 29 KITB 32.1266-81.1343 SC-Savannah-RKM 3 KITB 32.136467-81.139717 SC-Savannah-RKM 31 32.144983-81.14267 SC-Savannah-RKM 34 32.16783-81.1426 SC-Savannah-RKM 37 32.1828-81.16133 SC-Savannah-RKM 39 32.196933-81.1431 SC-Savannah-RKM 44 32.2366-81.12 SC-Savannah-RKM 1 32.26917-81.1342 SC-Savannah-RKM 47 Abercorn Creek 32.2492-81.13183 SC-Savannah-RKM 63 32.341-81.1322 SC-Savannah-RKM 72 32.381367-81.18933 SC-Savannah-RKM 8 32.497-81.194 SC-Savannah-RKM 99 32.28717-81.26867 SC-Savannah-RKM 19 32.613-81.39883 SC-Savannah-RKM 119 32.924-81.3739 SC-Savannah-RKM 128 32.641933-81.498 SC-Savannah-RKM 138 32.694983-81.41367 SC-Savannah-RKM 144 32.7326-81.41967 SC-Savannah-RKM 12 32.77233-81.429433 SC-Savannah-RKM 162 32.867-81.4293 SC-Savannah-RKM 168 32.8412-81.42698 SC-Savannah-RKM 169 32.8483-81.4412 SC-Savannah-RKM 178 32.8817-81.46633 SC-Savannah-RKM 186 32.98683-81.48233 SC-Savannah-RKM 192 Hwy 31 32.937233-81.26 SC-Savannah-RKM 198 32.97133-81.496117 SC-Savannah-RKM 2 Johnson Landing 32.99833-81.4994 SC-Savannah-RKM 22 33.867-81.4983 SC-Savannah-RKM 214 33.43617-81.36 SC-Savannah-RKM 22 33.642-81.81917 SC-Savannah-RKM 237 33.1164-81.6999 7
Table 2. GPS Coordinates of Savannah River receiver locations (continued). Receiver Station Name Latitude Longitude SC-Savannah-RKM 246 33.18783-81.763317 SC-Savannah-RKM 23 33.213-81.767 SC-Savannah-RKM 26 33.2262-81.81692 SC-Savannah-RKM 27 33.2648-81.837 SC-Savannah-RKM 278 33.29983-81.8477 SC-Savannah-RKM 286 33.32-81.88182 SC-Savannah-RKM 293 33.3263-81.97 SC-Savannah-RKM 299 33.316-81.93947 SC-Savannah-RKM 31 33.37182-81.9448 SC-Savannah-RKM 32 33.3727-81.93678 SC-Savannah-RKM 36 Jason's Dock 33.3842-81.9317 SC-Savannah-RKM 321 Augusta Marina 33.47688-81.9986 SC-Savannah-RKM 327 Lower Shoals 33.122-82.16 SC-Savannah-RKM 329 I-2 Downstream 33.243-82.1123 SC-Savannah RKM 333 Upper shoals 33.4818-82.3944 SC-Savannah-Middle River-RKM 32.14363-81.13168 SC-Savannah-Middle River-RKM 2 32.1871-81.137 SC-Savannah-Middle River-RKM 4 32.172367-81.13833 SC-Savannah-Middle River-RKM 6 32.1928-81.137342 SC-Savannah-Middle River-RKM 8 32.2121-81.1381 SC-Savannah-Back River-RKM 6 32.111217-81.178 SC-Savannah-Back River-RKM 11 32.146-81.126 SC-Savannah-Back River-RKM 1 32.1678-81.129833 SC-Savannah-Back River-RKM 22 32.1929-81.11826 SC-Savannah-Back River-RKM 27 32.221333-81.1433 8
3 2 4 2 3 1 2 1 1 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. 9 3 8 2 6 2 1 4 3 1 Temperature ( C) River Kilometer 7 2 1 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
River Kilometer Temperature ( C) 16 14 12 1 8 6 4 2 3 2 2 1 1 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
River Kilometer Temperature ( C) River Kilometer Temperature ( C) 3 3 3 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 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. 9 8 7 6 4 3 2 1 3 2 2 1 1 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
River Kilometer Temperature ( C) 7 3 6 4 3 2 1 2 2 1 1 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
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 A69-161-1274 32.22171-81.129 13 8.7 61..4 3/17/214 A. brev 12/11/213 A69-91-26322 32.14498-81.1422 12.8 8.7 19.3.12 /2/214 A. brev 2/21/214 A69-91-26318 32.1931-81.1917 22.1 7.2 11.. /2/214 A. brev 3/7/214 A69-133-496 32.1329-81.1172 23.2 6.7 346.9.17 /2/214 A. brev 2/28/214 A69-133-4962 32.24868-81.138 21.3.88 13.. 7/18/214 A. brev 2/28/214 A69-91-26314 32.2383-81.1397 26.7 6.74 111.9. 8/22/214 A. brev 3/7/214 A69-133-4964 32.26233-81.13633 27.9 6.17 123.4. 1/24/214 A. brev 11/21/213 A69-161-12747 32.1887-81.184 21.4.27 1344. 6.31 /1/21 A. oxy 3/6/21 A69-91-26333 32.1997-81.134 17.7 7.3 73.6.4 /1/21 A. brev 12/17/214 A69-91-26317 32.18679-81.126 17.7 7.46 74.7.4 //21 A. brev 12/17/214 A69-91-26342 32.12-81.1362 19. 6.23..36 6/12/21 A. brev 12/17/214 A69-91-26337 32.19636-81.1169 2.7.8 1.. 6/12/21 A. oxy 11/14/213 A69-91-26324 32.19636-81.1169 2.7.8 1.. 6/12/21 A. brev 3/2/21 A69-161-21162 32.1874-81.181 2.6 6. 116.. 7/14/21 A. brev 11/11/214 A69-91-2631 32.24-81.16 28.9 6.22 129.7.6 8/21/21 A. oxy 8/6/21 A69-91-2633 32.22139-81.1239 28.1 7.7 129.8.6 Salinity (ppt) 1/8/21 A. brev 12/17/214 A69-91-26341 32.16348-81.194 21.9.73 7392. 4.37 1/13/21 A. oxy 9/22/21 A69-91-2633 32.2337-81.1478 N/A N/A N/A N/A 1/13/21 A. oxy 9/22/21 A69-91-26328 32.2163-81.1132 N/A N/A N/A N/A 1/13/21 A. oxy 9/21/21 A69-161-223 32.224-81.1212 N/A N/A N/A N/A 1/13/21 A. oxy 9/22/21 A69-91-26338 32.1947-81.183 N/A N/A N/A N/A 1/13/21 A. brev 9/22/21 A69-91-26326 32.18192-81.181 N/A N/A N/A N/A 11/1/21 A. brev 11//21 A69-91-26329 32.1481-81.1411 19.9 7.87 261. 1.21 11/1/21 A. oxy 11//21 A69-161-2112 32.1237-81.13386 2.1 6.12 993.. 2/12/216 A. oxy 9/21/21 A69-161-223 32.18-81.1363 8.8 1.7.4.3 2/12/216 A. oxy 3/14/214 A69-133-496 32.1886-81.1143 8.8 1.76 46.2.3 9/27/216 A. brev 12/3/21 A69-91-2632 32.24926-81.14633 N/A N/A N/A N/A 2/27/217 A. oxy 2/24/217 A69-91-1818 32.1636-81.168 17.2.92 4146. 2.63 2/27/217 A. brev 2/24/217 A69-91-189 32.18112-81.1872 17.1 6.7 236. 1.4 /3/217 A. oxy 4/2/217 A69-161-99 32.1961-81.137 24..69 11.1. /3/217 A. oxy 4/2/217 A69-161-992 32.1961-81.137 24..69 11.1. /3/217 A. brev 4/2/217 A69-161-991 32.1961-81.137 24..69 11.1. /3/217 A. oxy 4/27/217 A69-161-99 32.1961-81.137 24..69 11.1. 6/23/217 A. brev 11/3/216 A69-91-2499 32.299-81.14 27.6 6. 128..6 6/23/217 A. brev 9/22/21 A69-91-26336 32.222-81.133 27.6 6. 128..6 6/23/217 A. oxy 12/2/216 A69-161-34 32.282-81.113 28..18 174..83 7/12/217 A. oxy 3/31/217 A69-91-1811 32.268-81.13722 29. 6.6 123.. 9/22/217 A. brev 11/9/216 A69-91-2341 32.16842-81.13818 26.1 3.36 1623..8 13
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 A69-91-2348 32.23863-81.143 26.1 4.9 117.1. 1/24/217 A. oxy 4/2/217 A69-91-1813 32.279-81.14818 21.8 7.7 93.4. 11/21/217 A. brev 12/8/216 A69-91-187 32.163-81.1361 16.1 6.12 97. 6.74 11/21/217 A. oxy /16/217 A69-91-181 32.2136-81.1148 1.1 8.66 13..6 11/21/217 A. oxy /17/217 A69-91-1817 32.2334-81.14794 14.9 9.33 18.. 11/21/217 A. oxy 11/2/217 A69-91-1814 32.27488-81.1242 14.9 9.44 93.3. 1/26/218 A. brev 1/9/218 A69-91-1812 32.1726-81.1362 N/A N/A N/A N/A 2/13/218 A. brev 2/1/218 A69-91-181 32.1179-81.1343 N/A N/A N/A N/A 3/13/218 A. oxy 2/1/218 A69-91-188 32.23-81.119 13.7 9.3 91.. 4/19/218 A. brev 2/23/218 A69-91-186 32.23-81.143 19.1 7.91 144.1.1 4/19/218 A. oxy 3/29/218 A69-162-286 32.18616-81.1224 19. 7.3 32..3 4/19/218 A. brev 4/6/218 A69-91-1442 32.24316-81.1732 18.9 7.72 11.1.1 4/19/218 A. oxy 4/6/218 A69-162-288 32.18616-81.1224 19. 7.3 32..3 4/19/218 A. oxy 4/17/218 A69-162-283 32.23-81.143 19.1 7.91 144.1.1 6/12/218 A. brev 4/17/218 A69-91-1446 32.217-81.1234 23.9 4.87 7.3. 1//218 A. brev 4/2/217 A69-161-988 32.18692-81.1187 26.7 6.71 134.4.1 Salinity (ppt) 11/2/218 A. brev /3/218 A69-162-2866 32.16329-81.13824 14.8 8.19 2239. 1.2 14
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 66:917-928. Conte, F.S., S.I. Doroshov, P.B. Lutes, and E.M. Strange. 1988. 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 1-27. 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 129:811-826. 1
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