SEG Striped Bass and Fisheries Committee Meeting Summary

Members Present:

MINUTES:

SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION

Two main agenda items were discussed:

1. Methods to evaluate the impacts of Savannah Harbor modifications on the striped bass population (Ed EuDaly's document)
2. Additional information that could be obtained from past fisheries studies and looking a developing an all inclusive data base for these studies

(I) Ed's document was well received by the committees. Ed's document contained three classifications for potential model runs,1) spawning and egg development, 2) larval striped bass development, and 3) egg and larval transport. Bo Elis mentioned that the model could appropriately be used to evaluate the above mentioned tasks; however, more specific data inputs and outputs need to be defined.

Specifically for task one and two, we need specific information for the following:

1. when data should be recorded (e.g., every ten minutes)
2. discharge during recordings (for spawning and egg development 16,000 and 8,000 cfs was suggested and for larval striped bass development 12,000 and 6,000 cfs was suggested),
3. duration of recordings (should the model run for two weeks, one month, etc.)
4. site and model specific spatial recordings (at which of the 11 vertical and 2-5 horizontal layers should the data be recorded, and what intervals should the data be recorded, e.g., every 0.5 miles)
5. and how should the data be reported (percentiles, means, figures, etc.)

Additionally, task number three will require more specific inputs for the following:

1. model specific (cell or cells) spatial placement of simulated striped bass eggs/larvae,
2. what tidal cycle (spring, neap, or normal),
3. what discharge (16,000 cfs was proposed do we need a lower discharge),
4. what time during the proposed tidal cycle (e.g., place the simulated egg into the model two hours into the ebb tide),
5. what point would the simulated striped bass egg settle and re-suspend during slack tides,
6. if we are looking at egg/larvae drift over a five day period and assuming an egg hatches in 48 hours, would a one to three day old larval fish drift at the proposed striped bass egg rate (i.e. 64% of the average current velocity).

Ted and Ed have agreed to work on these details and re-submit another document for committee review and discussion.

(II) The group discussed the potential value of getting the fishery researchers together to discuss the work they had performed and their observations on factors that are critical to the distribution and health of fishery resources in the Savannah River Estuary. One item that was mentioned was that researchers often write their reports to provide the information that was requested in the Scope of Work, but sometimes do not include other observations that may be important to an overall understanding of physical or biological interaction at a specific location. After the meeting, Bill Bailey indicated he would attempt to convene a meeting of fishery researchers who had performed studies for the SH Expansion Project and state fishery managers. As presently envisioned, each researcher would be given time to provide any other information (not contained in their report) that may be important to an overall understanding of fishery resources in the Savannah Harbor Estuary. This would be followed by an open discussion where the attendees could ask questions of the researchers or each other to increase the understanding of the status, interaction, and dependencies of fishery resources in the estuary and the factors that most affect those populations. The meeting would likely be held this summer.

CLOSE

The committee will likely meet in early June to discuss the final model inputs/outputs and the completed synthesis report "The Current Status and Information on Striped Bass in the Savannah River Estuary".