Objective:

 

1. Utilize Vemco remote sensing equipment (Vemco acoustic receivers, hydrophones and acoustic fish tags) to identify the habitat utilization, site fidelity and seasonal movements of tripletail in Ga..

2. Tank study to determine long-term tag retention rates for surgically implanted       transmitters. 

3. Sample fish for genetic samples, external tagging to determine recapture rates and larval tows in a around Ossabaw sound.

 

Duration:         March-November

Gear:               Vemco ultrasonic receivers (4) (VR2W) (On loan from SCDNR), Vemco aoustic                    tags (V16) (15 @ approx. $330 ea.), and Vemco Hydrophone (On loan from SCDNR)

Location:         Ossabaw Sound (1 site consisting of a 4 receiver array arranged in a pattern to capture movement throughout the sound)

 

Effort:             Primary effort will require several (2-3) weeks to capture fish and implant transmitters. Follow up effort will consist of site visits (approx. 2-3 times per month) to download the data and clean receivers, active tracking of tagged fish (approx. 3-5 days per month), and additional sampling for genetic samples, tagging, and larval tows. Additional assistance (Technician and a boat) will be provided UGA. Assistance for the tank study will be provided by staff from UGA-MAREX and technical staff from SSU. 

 

Project Description

 

The primary goal of this project is to continue work initiated in 2009 utilizing remote sensing equipment (Vemco ultrasonic receivers) to identify habitat utilization, site fidelity, and seasonal movement patterns of tripletail in Ossabaw sound. Last year’s study proved that this equipment can be successfully used to track movements and site fidelity of tripletail in Ossabaw. This year, the equipment array will be adjusted to try to monitor fish as they move into and out of the sound system while, still monitoring residence time. Active tracking will be conducted in conjunction with fixed location receivers in attempt to determine where fish go when they leave the sound.

Initial effort will require several (2-3) weeks (May-June) of sampling to capture fish and implant transmitters. Follow up effort will be minimal and will consist of site visits (approx. 2-3 times per month) (June-November) to download data and clean remote receivers.

The active tracking component of the study will be conducted in conjunction with staff from UGA. Technical staff will be provided for the summer to assist in sampling, deploying equipment, tagging fish, downloading receiver, and tracking fish. Additional effort may include sampling fish for genetic samples, tagging, and larval tows in and around Ossabaw sound. Technical staff and a boat will be provided by UGA to assist with this additional effort. 

 

Future work may include collaboration with staff from UGA to utilize large arrays of Vemco receivers throughout Ga. estuaries to track fish movements. UGA staff will be establishing these arrays for research on sturgeon populations in multiple river systems throughout Georgia; this creates a tremendous opportunity for CRD staff to utilize this equipment for a multitude of species. This collaboration could allow CRD staff to track fish as they move into estuaries along the Ga. coast.