Georgia sound, Vol. 15, no. 2 (Summer 2009

Summer 2009

Vol.15, No.2

Sea Level Rise Visualization Project Underway
Increasingly, vulnerable coastal ecosystems are threatened by the demand for development along Georgia's coast. Intensifying this issue are the impacts of climate change, particularly sea level rise, which disproportionately affects coastal communities. It is important for coastal managers to have accurate tools in order to make effective decisions to protect people and natural resources in this changing environment. While research regarding climate change is widely available on an academic level, it has not been widely communicated in usable and understandable formats to community leaders and the general public.

To bridge this gap, the Georgia Coastal Management Program has awarded a three year

Coastal Incentive Grant to the University of Georgia for a project to help coastal managers

visualize the impact of sea level rise on

coastal communities. Through better

understanding of sea level rise and its

potential impact, coastal managers will be able to factor this issue into future

Gould's Inlet

planning and decision-making. Using

current remote sensing data and

modeling techniques, the project, lead

by Dr. Timothy Carter, will translate

sea level rise research into usable tools

that specifically illustrate impacts to

coastal development and vulnerable

natural resources. The project will

suggest strategies for protecting high

priority habitat demonstrated to be

most at risk and will develop a public

outreach campaign to better inform the public of the issues.

Building on existing data and research, this project evaluates the relationship between sea level rise, population growth and sensitive coastal lands. GIS data layers will be converted into map format and placed into specialized visualization software. The software will allow comparisons of the impact of sea level rise on existing and projected land-use patterns
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www.CoastalGaDNR.org

Summer 2009

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Visualization Project (cont'd)
for all of coastal Georgia. These models will show areas of high vulnerability to inundation or flooding as well as projected salt marsh losses and habitat alteration. Glynn County will be targeted for a more detailed study, using a finer scale Light Detection and Radiation (LiDAR) data, which will produce three different sea level rise projections at the county level.

In both components of the study, alternative development strategies for current and future areas most vulnerable to sea level rise will be suggested. There will be an emphasis on "soft" engineering practices, use of green infrastructure, environmentally sensitive development and conservation of priority land. Results from this study will be invaluable to land use planners and local government officials as they seek to develop plans to protect people, structures and natural habitats from eventual climate change impact.

Climate change is inevitable. It is important that local planners and officials have accurate and usable tools and information to aid in appropriate decision making regarding future land use along our fragile coast. Balancing economic development with preservation of coastal natural resources is the primary mission of the Georgia Coastal Management Program administered by the Coastal Resources Division of the Department of Natural Resources. The GA DNR is pleased to play a role in developing these tools as we seek to find that balance.

Written By: Susan Snyder Reeves, CIG Grants Manager, GA DNR

www.CoastalGaDNR.org

Summer 2009
CZM News and Notes
By Brad Gane, Assistant Director for Ecological Services

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It may be summer, but life stays in the fast lane. Permit applications for large developments are being submitted, work with local governments continues, and projects funded to local governments and academia through our Coastal Incentive Grant Program are on-going with a new round slated for the fall. Appeals of permit actions continue to be filed and heard. Rulemaking for marina and community and commercial docks has been initiated with public hearings to be conducted soon, and budget grappling continues with some programs scuttled or substantially reduced, at least for the time being, due to cuts in state revenues.
In May, Governor Perdue signed House Bill 170 that sets rates for the leasing of state waterbottoms at marinas. This capped a cooperative effort initiated by Stakeholders recommendations, and hard work by the Legislature, DNR, and the Georgia Marine Business Association. The staff is putting together marina waterbottom leases now, adjusting them to be consistent with the new law, and will soon be issuing the new leases.
One topic I wish to highlight is the issue of live-aboards in our coastal waters. Recently staff have received several phone calls asking if it is lawful to live aboard a boat in Georgia. The Coastal Marshlands Protection Act of 1970 (CMPA) defines 'Live-aboard' as "a floating vessel or other water craft which is moored to a dock, tree, or piling or anchored in the estuarine waters of the state and is utilized as a human or animal abode. Live-aboards include but are not limited to monohulls, multihulls, houseboats, floating homes, and other floating structures which are used for human or animal habitation." The CMPA restricts living aboard a vessel, whether moored or at a marina, to 30 days in a given calendar year. The CMPA also provides that the DNR Commissioner may grant extensions of time beyond 30 days to persons making a request in writing stating the reasons for such extension. Few such requests have been granted and then only for a short period of time. Persons living aboard their vessel for longer than thirty days in a calendar year without the commissioner's approval are in violation of the CMPA, and the person, as well as the owner of the marina, are subject to civil and criminal enforcement procedures and penalties. Should you have questions regarding living aboard a vessel in Georgia waters, please contact the Coastal Resources Division at (912) 264-7218 and ask for the Compliance and Enforcement Program.
Have a great summer season. Take care of our coast and leave it better all the time!

www.CoastalGaDNR.org

Summer 2009

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Beach Water Monitoring Program

Planning a trip to the beach this summer?

With the warm sunny weather, Georgia's coastal beaches are an attractive destination for tourists and residents alike. Before you head to the shore, be sure to check the status of your favorite beach on DNR's GaHealthyBeaches.org website. DNR, in partnership with the Coastal Health District, monitors Georgia's beaches for the presence of harmful bacteria. DNR samples the beach water on Tybee, Jekyll and St. Simons every week. The Health Department Laboratory analyzes the water samples. When elevated levels of bacteria are found, the Health District issues a swimmers advisory. An advisory does not mean that the beach is closed, but that DNR and the Health District recommend that you do not swim at that beach.
DNR updates the GaHealthyBeaches.org website whenever a swimmers' advisory is issued. DNR has also installed signs at beach access crossovers on Tybee, Jekyll and St. Simons islands. These permanent metal signs are activated whenever there is an advisory at a particular beach (see pictures below). The signs were originally installed in 2004 and are starting to show their age. DNR is in the process of replacing the signs with new, bi-lingual signs.
Sally Silbermann, Public Relations Information Manager for the Coastal Health District states, "As an advocate for public health and part of the Coastal Health District, the Chatham County Health Department is dedicated to providing community outreach and education. Part of that outreach includes working with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to supply timely information to beach-goers about the water quality on Tybee Island. Posting new signs with bilingual messages about water quality allows us to reach even more of our citizens and visitors and we're pleased to be able to provide that service."
So before you go to the beach, remember to ... `go online or check the sign!' GaHealthyBeaches.org

No Advisory
Written by Elizabeth Cheney, Program Manager Beach Water Quality, GA DNR

Beach Advisory Issued www.CoastalGaDNR.org

Summer 2009

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In the Field with CRD Staff

Donna McDowell Thesis Work Focused on Whiting

Donna McDowell is one of CRD's marine research technicians. Like many of us she is a "jack of all trades" and provides both lab and field support for a variety of Marine Fisheries Section
projects. Donna's main duties include management of the cooperative tagging program, lead technician on two longline research projects investigating abundance of shark species and adult red drum in Georgia waters. During her down time, from January through March, she helps with ageing fish species in the lab. Much of that time is spent in front of a high speed saw, cutting cross sections from the ear bones or "otoliths", which are then mounted to glass slides and viewed under a microscope where the growth rings are counted to determine the age of the fish.

Recently Donna started her Masters program in Marine Sciences through Savannah State University. Although her coursework is done on her own time, her thesis project is focused on collecting data that is needed to better understand population characteristics of one of Georgia's important
recreational finfish, the southern kingfish or "whiting" as it is known locally. According to the National Marine Fisheries Service's Marine Recreational Information Program, whiting is one of Georgia's top three harvested species. In most years whiting holds the number one harvested spot, ranking higher than both red drum and spotted seatrout. Whiting are not only a recreationally important fish, they are also classified as "sustenance" or common table fare fish for local people. CRD currently manages whiting with a 10" total length, minimum size limit. Whiting can be caught year round and there is no limit on the number that can be kept. Because there is very little biological information on the local populations of whiting, Donna's thesis work will be key to providing fishery managers with information on age and growth patterns of Georgia's whiting, as well as information on the age at which they reach sexual maturity, when they spawn or reproduce, and the amount of egg production associated with mature females. Although this information exists for whiting in other areas, fish in Georgia may exhibit different behavioral patterns and reproductive characteristics. Donna's work will be vital in future management actions if the local stocks of whiting succumb to potential effects of overfishing or climatologic events that could lead to reduced numbers.
...Donna's thesis work will be key to providing fishery managers with information on age and growth patterns of Georgia's whiting...

Written by Dr. Carolyn Belcher, Analytical Biologist, GA DNR

www.CoastalGaDNR.org

Summer 2009

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Biologist Dominic Guadagnoli Working to Keep Georgia's Commercial Shellfish Industry Strong
Dominic Guadagnoli is a Natural Resource Biologist with Coastal Resources Division's Ecological Services Section and supervisor of the Public Health Monitoring and Shellfish Sanitation Program. Dominic first joined CRD in 1993, working for the Marine Fisheries Section to monitor the Atlantic sturgeon commercial fishery. Since then, after working his way through several commercial and recreational fishery programs, Dominic joined the Ecological Services Section in 2000 to implement the 5-year National Coastal Assessment Program and was then promoted to his current position in 2007.
After 16 years with CRD, it is clear that Dominic loves what he does. Helping Georgia's commercial shellfish industry remain alive and strong is a main focus for Dominic and his staff. Through their hard work and continuous monitoring, Georgia clams and oysters are harvested from waters that are free from chronic pollution and the shellfish are safe for people to eat.
Dominic and his staff also sample water in our rivers and sounds to test for signs of pollution, and at our beaches to make sure that the waters are healthy for all swimmers.
When asked recently what is the best thing about working at CRD, Dominic replied "four out of my five positions at CRD involved working with some aspect of commercial fisheries. Being able to liaison with commercial fishermen and industries is challenging but also the most rewarding."

Written by Jill Andrews, Program Manager, GA DNR

Summer 2009

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From the Director's Desk... Ship to Shore
By Susan Shipman Director, Coastal Resources Division
Partnerships Then and Now
Thirty years ago, I came to work for Georgia DNR during the state's first venture into the federal Coastal Zone Management Program. Coastal Resources Division was a newly formed Division, and I came aboard as a fledgling research associate working on the Outer Continental Shelf. Tenneco and Exxon had a joint test well on a lease block in proximity to offshore live bottom areas known as the Brunswick Snapper Banks. As the name implies, this area was rich with black sea bass, snapper, grouper, porgies, grunts, and black sea bass. I was assigned to the CZM Fisheries Assessment Program, which provided my first experience with offshore fisheries --- snapper-grouper in particular. My focus wasn't the fish but more so the habitat --- the invertebrate organisms that encrusted the limestone outcropping to provide the habitat preferred by the reef fish.
We hook-and-lined and trapped reef fish aboard the state's research vessel Bagby, as well as inventoried the live bottom habitat using SCUBA. My first experience in the wet lab entailed working up snapper for life history parameters--- taking lengths, weights, gender and biological data. I don't recall if we took scales or otoliths (ear bones) for aging, but I do recall working up some very large snapper back in 1979.
My early partnership attempts were a bit rocky. Commercial snapper fishermen were a crusty lot and rough around more than just the edges. I asked to come along on their offshore trips as an observer. Request after request fell on deaf ears. Several years later I would reflect on the wisdom of those captains declining to take me along as an observer, although at the time I was clearly insulted. And while I initially looked on that rejection as noncooperative, in fact, it was for my safety, and the captain's sanity.
In time CRD arrived at other avenues of cooperation with the snapper-grouper fleet. In 1995, Coastal Resources Division's Cooperative Statistics Program took over for federal staff and began sampling a subset of commercial snapper grouper trips, taking weights, lengths, and biological parameters, similar to the data we collected from our research catches in 1979. DNR's Trip Interview Program sampling continues to this day.
A stock assessment completed in 2007 showed red snapper to be severely overfished. Long term data collected through the partnerships described above, went into this most recent assessment. Based on the assessment results, last July the National Marine Fisheries Service

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www.CoastalGaDNR.org

Summer 2009

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notified the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council of the red snapper stock's overfished status, which, by federal law, triggered a one year clock for the Council to end overfishing. The Council wrestled with this dilemma for the past year, and in March 2009 voted to request an interim rule to close federal waters to red snapper fishing, thereby ending overfishing until a longer term strategy can be implemented in 2010. The Council is still struggling to develop that longer term strategy.

The life history of red snapper make them vulnerable to overfishing. The species is longlived --- a red snapper can reach 50+ years in age. That is much older than we imagined back in 1979. The natural mortality rate is lower than previously thought, which means not as many fish are dying of natural causes. On the other hand, fishing mortality is about eight times what it should be to sustain the stock. The discard mortality, i.e., the number of fish that die following release, is high --- it is estimated to be 40 percent for the recreational fishery and 90 percent for the commercial fishery. (The difference is the greater depths that the commercials are fishing.) To complicate matters, the reef fishery is a mixed bag - red snapper are caught with porgies and other snapper species, making it impossible to target
other reef species in the mid-shelf area and not catch red snapper. This results in regulatory discards, many of which die.

The stock is characterized by a truncated age distribution. In other words, there are not many older fish, i.e., fish over 10 years old, in the population. That is not good for a species that lives to be 50+. Red snapper now mature and spawn at younger ages, which is a common response seen in overfished stocks trying to compensate for heavy fishing pressure. These two things are the most alarming to me as a biologist and convinced me that overfishing must be halted.

Yet, Georgia and Florida fishermen are seeing an abundance of red snapper in their catches. In recent months anglers and charter fishermen have questioned the outcome of the stock assessment that portrays a severely overfished stock and questioned the science that underpins the assessment.

In May 2009, NOAA Fisheries Southeast Region Administrator, Dr. Roy Crabtree, at the urging of anglers, requested Georgia DNR sample the red snapper being caught off our coast and collect otoliths for aging.
CRD's Research and Surveys team led by Eric Robillard and Kathy Knowlton worked with several for-hire captains during May to sample red snapper caught off Savannah. The fishermen even traveled to
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"Our recreational fisheries survey program has built an invaluable rapport with the anglers and fishing guides all along the coast, and that relationship paid huge dividends for this sampling effort."
Susan Shipman Director CRD

www.CoastalGaDNR.org

Summer 2009

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our Brunswick facility to learn how their catches were aged. After aging some 350+ fish, the

results are in, and they validate the stock assessment results --- there appears to be some

strong year classes of very young

red snapper moving thru the fishery, but few older fish. This,

Georgia Red Snapper Age Distribution

250

238

to me, is a red flag. A sustainable

stock must have adequate

200

numbers of fish of all ages, including older fish.

Number of Fish 150

On the last Saturday in May, my

per Age

career came full circle as I found myself back on a dock sampling

100
82

red snapper. While the stock 50
assessment now indicates the red

snapper stock to have been stressed over the past three decades, I am proud to say our partnerships with fishermen have

13
0

7633123

11

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Ages (Years)

only continued to improve. This is a credit not only to the fishermen but to the Division's marine

During May 2009, CRD Research & Surveys staff sampled red snapper harvested by anglers participating in the forhire (charter and headboat) and recreational fisheries. This

fisheries professionals who have worked tirelessly to build those

graph depicts the ages of the sampled red snapper. For example, 238 fish (67%) were age four.

relationships.

I will soon be retiring and concluding my service on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. I am grateful for Georgia fishermen's cooperation to GADNR and federal managers as we wrestle with finding a fix. All signs currently point to a painful fix --- one that may impact the bottom line and recreation for years to come. While we've agreed to disagree on the stock status, Georgia's fishermen have been respectful, courteous and civil throughout the Council's year-plus deliberations. I have the utmost respect for them and I am confident that it is only through their continued cooperation that the red snapper fishery will recover. Although we may disagree on the means to get there, I know we are all striving for the same outcome.

Summer 2009
CRD Photo Album The 19th Annual Family Fishing Derby
Since 1991, the Georgia DNR/Coastal Resources Division (CRD) has hosted the Golden Isles Family Fishing Derby on fishing piers in Brunswick and along the Torras Causeway to St. Simons Island. This year, the June 6th event attracted more than 100 entrants plus family and friends who enjoyed a morning of fishing and fun at a new Derby site the Ski Rixen Pond on Jekyll Island. The overall winner for most fish caught was Jacob Harris who was awarded the John M. Pafford Cup - named for retired CRD Biologist John Pafford, who organized the first Family Fishing Derby.

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Mark Your Calendars !! Derby 2010
Saturday, June 5th
2009 Derby Sponsors: Golden Isles Kingfish Classic, Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration, Jekyll Island Authority, Pepsi-Cola of Brunswick and GA DNR.
www.CoastalGaDNR.org

Early Spring 2009

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Hurricane Season is here... Are You Prepared??? Visit the Georgia Emergency Management Agency(GEMA) website
www.Ready.Ga.Gov
The Atlantic hurricane season, which begins June 1, brings the risk of life-threatening and property-damaging storm surge, high winds, tornadoes and inland flooding to all Georgia communities - not just the coastal communities. Being prepared before a hurricane hits is the only way to ensure that you will be ready. The Georgia Emergency Management Agency urges residents to Prepare...Plan...Stay Informed.
Get Ready, Georgia. It's Easy

2008 A6t,t5e0n0d+ance

Save the Date! Saturday,

15th Annual

October 3rd

CoastFest is Georgia's largest educational event that celebrates the State's coastal natural environment. This annual event is sponsored by the GA DNR/Coastal Resources Division/Coastal Zone Management Program and made possible through a grant provided by NOAA. The event is free to the public. For more information contact Nancy Butler, CoastFest Coordinator, at 912.262.3140 or email nancy.butler@dnr.state.ga.us

The Georgia Sound is produced by the Georgia DNR/Coastal Resources Division. If you would like more information please visit our web site at: www.CoastalGaDNR.org or contact Coastal Resources Division at (912) 264-7218.
This publication is made possible through the efforts of the GA DNR/Coastal Resources Division staff and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Grand Award #NA07NOS4190182.
Editor: Nancy Butler, CRD Public Affairs Coordinator, GA DNR nancy.butler@dnr.state.ga.us