06/11/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 06/11/2021 16:00
NOAA's Deepwater Horizon restoration partners at the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commissionselected three new partners to conduct studies on reef fish restoration in the Gulf of Mexico. They were chosen through a competitive process, and the awards total approximately $690,000.
These studies are contributing to a $30 million projectto encourage anglers to use fish descending devices. These devices increase survival of reef fish experiencing barotrauma in the Gulf's recreational fisheries approved by the Deepwater HorizonOpen Ocean Trustees.
Barotraumais damage caused by the rapid expansion of gases in fish that are caught in deeper water and quickly brought up to the surface. As the gases expand, they can damage the eyes, stomach, and other parts of the fish. This makes it difficult for them to swim back down and survive once released. Descending devices help fish by quickly releasing them at their normal depth, reducing the number of reef fish that die from catch and release fishing.
All three studies will focus on the use of descending devices to help fish return to their underwater habitats, away from
predators. Anglers can help restore fish populations impacted by the Deepwater Horizonoil spill by using these devices.
The first two studies will be conducted offshore, working with close to 40 recreational charter boat captains. Captains will:
Gulf reef fish anglers should also be on the lookout for mail and email surveys from partners at Southwick Associates. These surveys will help the project team understand barriers to using descending devices. By participating in the studies, anglers will help inform future angler outreach and education methods.
Results from the three studies will contribute to restoration efforts that increase the health of reef fisheries impacted by the Deepwater Horizonoil spill, while improving angler experiences. The work will be carried out through 2025.
A team from Auburn University will collaborate with eight charter vessel operators to better understand the survival rates of red snapper released with descending devices. The team will tag and release red snapper across a range of locations and depths off the coast of Alabama and Mississippi. Participating captains will return to the tagging sites within 2 to 4 weeks to recapture as many tagged fish as possible. A combination of different tagging methods will provide a robust evaluation of descending methods and their effect on red snapper survival.
Working with 30 charter boat captains, this study will document whether hooked reef fish are eaten by predators and which species are responsible. This team from Mississippi State University will train and incentivize captains across the Gulf of Mexico to use descending devices and film fish releases with cameras. The team will then analyze the video footage, and results will be used to inform best release practices and address depredation concerns with descended fish. The project team will make short videos to train captains on data collection processes and share project results with stakeholders.
Southwick Associates will assess recreational reef fish anglers' current knowledge of fish descending devices. The goal is to establish an understanding of anglers' perceptions about releasing reef fish and identify barriers to using descending gear. Understanding barriers will inform future education and outreach, and help anglers learn the advantages of best release practices. In 2025, the team will measure the change in anglers' awareness and adoption of descending gear over time.
These studies are one part of a comprehensive $30 million project reducing barotrauma injuries and deaths in reeffish. The project also aims to increase successful use of fish descender devices by distributing them to recreational anglers and providing information on their use. Supplying fishermen with the tools and knowledge to minimize barotrauma-related fish death and injury will result in increased survival of species released during recreational fishing activities.
This barotrauma project was one of four fish restoration projects funded by the Deepwater Horizon Open Ocean Trustees' 2019 $226 million restoration plan. The remaining 14 projects in the plan are restoring sea turtles, marine mammals, and deep-sea coral habitats.
Hundreds of fish species were exposed to oil during and after the Deepwater Horizonspill. The exposure killed fish larvae that would have grown and contributed to the food web and fisheries. It also impaired fish growth and reproduction and caused changes in reef fish communities. Recognizing these and other impacts, the settlement with BP included $380 million to help restore injuries to fish and water column invertebrates.