2005-2006 NSGO Annual Progress Report
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Science Serving South Carolina’s Coast
South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium
2005-2006 NSGO Annual Progress Report
Covering the Period
March 1, 2005 to February 28, 2006
Submitted August 30, 2006
[pic] South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium [pic]
287 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29401
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2005-2006 NSGO Annual Progress Report
South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium
Table of Contents
Introduction 3
Section I – Award Reporting 3
Core Sea Grant Program 3
Ecosystem Dynamics 3
Coastal Natural Hazards 9
Marine Aquaculture and Fisheries 9
Coastal Communities and Economies 17
Marine Education 18
Smart Growth Initiative 21
National Strategic Investments 22
National Marine Aquaculture Initiative 22
Gulf Oyster Industry Program 24
Section II - Impacts 27
Section III – N/A 33
Section IV – Appendices 33
Management Team and Staff 33
Program Development Projects 34
Partnerships 35
Leveraged Funds 41
Publications 43
Students Supported 50
Program Awards and Honors 50
2005-2006 NSGO Annual Progress Report
South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium
[pic] INTRODUCTION
This annual report, submitted by the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, summarizes activities and accomplishments by the Consortium and its partners for the period March 1, 2005 through February 28, 2006.
[pic] SECTION I
The following summaries resulted from work conducted under the Consortium’s 2005-2006 Omnibus Sea Grant Program Plan, and are organized by strategic area. All core projects were funded under award number NA16RG2250. Summaries are also provided for the Consortium’s three Sea Grant NSI projects; separate award numbers were assigned.
• Ecosystem Dynamics
Grantee (Principal Investigator) and Institution: James Morris, et al, University of South Carolina
Award Number: NA16RG2250 (R/ER-24)
Time Period: March 1, 2005 through Feb. 28, 2006
Award Title: Succession of Tidal Wetlands on the Cooper River, SC: Ecological Functions and Management Alternatives
Complete Project Report: Available at SCSGC office.
Accomplishments and Outcomes: The project’s first objective is to test the hypothesis that impoundments are a significant component of the dissolved oxygen (DO) dynamics of the Cooper River system. As of now, the water quality and hydrologic field work planned during this project is complete. A seed grant was awarded last year to support additional field work analysis by graduate student David Joyner. His results will refine the work in this project. He is expected to finish his work during summer 2006. The second objective tests the hypothesis that sediment accumulation rates differ by macrophyte community type. The work on this objective is complete. A final report was submitted by Joe Kelley in October 2005. The following is the abstract from that report:
Sediment deposition differs by community type. Subtidal communities (Submerged Aquatic Vegetation - 3.2 cm/yr and Floating Leaf Vegetation - 8.9 cm/yr) have the highest accretion rates and intertidal communities (Intertidal Emergent Marsh - 1.4 cm/yr and Developing Swamp Forest - .7 cm/yr) the lowest. Accumulations differ by season but not by distance from a creek in intertidal emergent communities.
The focus of the third project objective is to further develop the mechanistic spatial simulation model of wetland succession by incorporating the results of past and proposed field work on impoundment bathymetry, spatially varying sedimentation rates, plant community biomass and successional characteristics, and water quality. With regard to status: the final work on this objective is also dependent on the completion of the seed grant work as described above.
Finally, our fourth main objective is to characterize the ecological consequences of management alternatives that are of interest to resource managers and stakeholder groups along the Cooper River. Final work on this objective is also dependent on the completion of the seed grant work as described above.
Grantee (Principal Investigator) and Institution: Susan Wilde, SC Department of Natural Resources
Award Number: NA16RG2250 (R/ER-25)
Time Period: March 1, 2005 through Feb. 28, 2006
Award Title: The Effectiveness of Vegetative Buffers in Reducing Nonpoint Source Pollution in Stormwater Detention Ponds
Complete Project Report: Available at SCSGC office.
Accomplishments and Outcomes: The objective to establish baseline water and nutrient budgets of the watersheds, and pond water and sediment physical, chemical (e.g. nutrients), and biological (e.g. chlorophyll a, harmful algae, fecal coliform bacteria, viruses) properties, so that pre-treatment conditions can be documented and compared, is completed. Year one of this research project focused on detailing the water and nutrient budgets of the watershed. Additionally, during this time period and throughout the second year of the project, research efforts were focused on physical, chemical and biological properties of detention ponds at Kiawah Island including the proposed control and treatment pond for this study. It has been established that these ponds promote the formation of harmful algal blooms and that they are tidally influenced and therefore linked to surrounding estuaries, thus have implications for degrading estuarine health.
The second year of research (2005-2006) continued the intensive investigation of six brackish detention ponds located on Kiawah Island to determine the relationship between land use, environmental properties, and phytoplankton community dynamics. It also addressed development within the watersheds linked to the ponds and how placement in a system of several ponds can affect phytoplankton community in the pond and the adjacent estuary.
We found moderate to high amounts of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and orthophosphate enter the control and treatment ponds during stormwater rain events and through groundwater sources. The amount of stormwater entering the ponds varied by storm event, season, position of stormwater grate in the watershed, and by pond, suggesting that seasonal land uses and development in the watersheds have an impact on nutrients entering the ponds during storm events. Additionally, a significant negative correlation between salinity and nitritite+nitrate, and between salinity and orthophosphate across the larger datasets, further supports the idea that movement of nutrients from terrestrial surfaces to the ponds is facilitated by the stormwater pipes. The upper sediment layers in the control and treatment ponds contained excessive amounts of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and orthophosphate. Orthophosphate levels would indicate that all ponds evaluated would fit into the highly eutrophic categories established by Bricker, et. al (National Estuarine Eutrophication Assessment, NOAA). Analysis of N:P Redfield ratios from all of the ponds and the full dataset suggests that the ponds were phosphorus replete. The samples categorized as hyper-eutrophic based on chlorophyll a values were taken from all ponds, but the majority (60%) in this classification came from golf course ponds (K5 and K56). The species in these ponds that were most frequently noted as bloom species were from the cyanobacteria group. The control pond was colonized by a persistent Microcystis aeruginosa bloom that appeared in the late summer/early fall and lasted until mid-January. This bloom produced very high amounts of the hepatotoxin, Microcystin.
The persistence of the toxic blooms in these ponds has implications for the Kiawah wildlife and residents and for the entire estuarine watershed that receives water from these ponds. The results from these intensive sampling effort have clearly established the prevalence of algal blooms and their associated toxins. Nutrient levels are so elevated that harmful blooms persist at all times of year. The design for the constructed wetland will address the nitrogen levels by providing treatment, and has the potential for nutrient removal prior to stormwater entering the ponds.
Grantee (Principal Investigator) and Institution: Robert Feller, University of South Carolina
Award Number: NA16RG2250 (R/ER-26)
Time Period: March 1, 2005 through Feb. 28, 2006
Award Title: Control of Saltmarsh Cordgrass by Blue Crab Predation on Periwinkle Snails: An Immunological Gut Check
Complete Project Report: Available at SCSGC office.
Accomplishments and Outcomes: Specificity and sensitivity of the existing polyclonal antisera were tested using micro-Ouchterlony double immunodiffusion templates. As expected, the numbers of precipitin lines forming were reduced from the numbers measured years earlier, but numbers were still sufficiently high and staining intensity great enough to eliminate concerns about cross-reactivity (non-specificity) and sensitivity (ability to detect nanogram quantities of soluble protein in gut content mixtures). Self-reactions with the Littoraria antiserum and Littoraria foot-muscle antigen yielded 9 precipitin lines (vs 12 earlier), with the Callinectes antiserum and Callinectes muscle antigen yielded 12 lines (vs 12 earlier), with the Spartina antiserum and plant extract antigen, only 1 line (vs 8 earlier), and Illyanassa antiserum and its foot-muscle extract antigen yielded 3 (vs 9 earlier) precipitin lines.
Field collections were made in North Inlet, South Carolina, on Hobcaw Barony property under auspices of the North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Organisms were housed in the wet lab facility of the Baruch Marine Field Laboratory on site or in aquaria in our laboratory at USC in Columbia, SC.
Control immunoassays provided information similar to what was found in specificity and sensitivity tests mentioned above. We were unable to elicit any strong precipitin line formation with Spartina antisera when testing periwinkle snails that had been feeding on Spartina. The Spartina polyclonal antiserum had lost too much of its immunogenicity to be useful in field tests of the gut contents of periwinkle snails. A single precipitin line was insufficient to demonstrate specificity, hence this aspect of the project was greatly attenuated.
Various size blue crabs were starved and then fed known quantities of periwinkle snail meat, including opercula, with a minimum of two snails per feeding (= 0.84 g wet weight meal). These animals were then serially sacrificed at the following times: 0.5,1,2,4,6,8,9,10,12,24,48 hours. Gut contents were examined visually and the same gut content material then was probed immunologically with the antiserum to periwinkle snails. Visual identification of the opercula was possible in 49 of 62 different crabs up to a digestion time of 12 hours but impossible in 2 of 2 crabs at 24 and 2 of 2 crabs at 48 hr digestion times. Thus opercula were visually identifiable with 79% certainty for 12 hours after a known meal. This visual certainty would be virtually zero after 6 hr in field-collected crabs, because the pieces of operculum seen between 6 and 12 hr could be identified only because it was known beforehand that opercula were ingested. The immunological identification of periwinkle meals was 83% accurate up to 12 hours post-ingestion, meals being identified correctly in 50 of 60 animals. For digestion times exceeding 12 hours, the immunoassay was positive for the presence of the meal in 13 of 15 cases, indicating that this mode of dietary analysis was much more sensitive for highly digested periwinkle snail meals. Additional trials gave similar results.
Grantee (Principal Investigator) and Institution: Richard Zingmark, University of South Carolina
Award Number: NA16RG2250 (R/ER-27)
Time Period: March 1, 2005 through Feb. 28, 2006
Award Title: Functional Relationships (Coupling) Between Epiphytic Micro algae and Food Webs in a Saltmarsh Estuarine System
Complete Project Report: Available at SCSGC office.
Accomplishments and Outcomes: The objective of this phase of the research was to determine trophic transfers between the epiphytic algae on Spartina alterniflora and herbivore species that are linked with commercially important fish and shellfish species. During year one we chose two herbivores: the marsh periwinkle Littoraria irrorata (previously linked to blue crabs), and the grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio (previously linked to various species of commercial fish species).
Our early efforts have focused on stomach and fecal contents of L. irrorata, where we found significant quantities of various species of epiphytic diatoms and Cyanobacteria, occasional pieces of Spartina epidermis and fungal hyphae. Surprisingly, the microalgae appeared unharmed. Over several months we smeared >200 fecal pellets on standard algal agar growth media (F/2) to test whether viable cells passed through the gut. Within one week of every inoculation, 100% of the smears had a mixture of viable algal colonies growing on them. Most were diatoms (so far 18 species), but we also isolated 7 green algae, 2 red algae, and at least 4 species of Cyanobacteria.
There is a large body of literature reporting the rate at which various herbivores feed on microalgae, and they typically report grazing success as the number of cells consumed per unit time. Many go further and relate feeding rates to growth rates. As there are scattered literature reports of viable algae passing through the gut of some aquatic and marine herbivores (e.g. Porter 1973; Nicotri 1977) we call into question the assumption that algae that are consumed are automatically assimilated into the metabolism and tissues of the herbivores that eat them. We have planned future experiments to feed 14C-labeled microalgae to L. irrorata and to test for uptake in snail tissues and will look for microalgal cell viability in feces of P. pugio.
We have also done some preliminary manipulative grazing experiments in a small tidal creek in North Inlet Estuary. We placed filter papers into Bly Creek and allowed microalgae to colonize and grow on them, and we subsequently determined their chlorophyll a content. We then taped these filters containing algae to dowels and placed them upright in cages in the intertidal portion of the creek to serve as “artificial Spartina stems. We then added 0, 20 or 50 individuals of the grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio and looked for changes in chlorophyll concentrations on the papers over several tidal cycles and demonstrated that the algae are removed during high tide (Fig. 1). We are repeating this experiment on a seasonal basis. We have yet to determine what other grazers, if any, are present in the tidal waters that actually participated in the grazing but are following up on this now.
During the second year of the grant we plan to use stable isotopes to link feeding and assimilation patterns of periwinkles, grass shrimp and mummichogs to the epiphytic microalgae. Though despite the fact we have evidence (above) that calls into question the nutritional significance of grazing, we expect to find that a portion of the organic matter comprising the epiphytes is incorporated into the body tissues of their grazers.
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Fig. 1. Results of experiment completed in October 2005. Changes in chlorophyll a concentration of epiphytic microalgae adhering to filters attached to caged dowels (simulated Spartina stems) and exposed to 0,
20, or 50 individuals of P. pugio in situ over three days (6 tidal cycles).
Evaluation of our data will bridge gaps in our understanding of how relatively undisturbed salt marsh systems are linked between coastal ocean carbon and estuarine food webs, and ultimately will help us learn specific food web linkages between oceanic and estuarine organisms. An understanding of how carbon is transformed in this system will yield insights into general principles of ecosystem development. Like a multi-dimensional jigsaw puzzle, knowledge of the structure, spatial and temporal dynamics, and functional significance of the phytoplankton and epiphytic algal communities in salt marshes involves identifying and correctly placing various discrete pieces together until the picture is complete. Our proposed research, based upon hypotheses developed out of the published results of previous investigators and our own, intends to identify and assemble many of these pieces. In the end we hope to link the phytoplankton and epiphytic communities through trophic connections with commercially and recreationally important fish and shellfish species, which will satisfy at least one of SC Sea Grant’s targeted goals for this funding cycle.
Grantee (Principal Investigator) and Institution: David Owens, College of Charleston
Award Number: NA16RG2250 (R/ER-28)
Time Period: March 1, 2005 through Feb. 28, 2006
Award Title: Using Diamondback Terrapins as Surrogate and Sentinel Species for Monitoring Mercury Contaminants in Coastal and Estuarine Systems
Complete Project Report: Available at SCSGC office.
Accomplishments and Outcomes: In the first year of the project we were able to document the basic relationships between mercury in the Diamondback terrapin and their major prey item, the periwinkle. Briefly, in South Carolina, we found total mercury levels in keratin in the 300 ppb range and in the blood at about 45 ppb. These are not generally considered to be dangerous levels. It is unknown if a top carnivore such as a bald eagle, or shark might continue to bioaccumulate mercury at detrimental levels.The larger female turtles do have consistently higher levels of mercury than do the always smaller adult males, with a similar relationship in the prey items (big snails have significantly higher mercury than small snails). A surprising seasonal trend was seen in lower blood levels of mercury for the terrapins in the late summer.This may relate to seasonal methylation capabilities in the estuary. The samples collected for Purvis Creek near Brunswick, Georgia are the highest levels seen in a terrapin and are considered to be dangerous for both the turtles and any potential consumers.
In the second year of the project we examined several health related variables from our initial field experiments. All of the South Carolina samples showed non-significant differences. However, dramatic differences were seen with the Purvis Creek superfund site terrapins. The females were significantly smaller, the plastra of the Purvis creek animals (males and females) had an obvious bacteria based infection and tests for immunological capabilities showed the Purvis Creek turtles to be compromised. Hormone and reproductive analyses are still to be done.
We have also made good progress in the long-term bioaccumulation experiment.The levels of mercury we have been administering (environmentally relevant levels) have not been shown to be toxic to the turtles based on hematocrit, body weight, behavioral reflexes and reproductive variables.The experiment runs until August 2006, thus blood and keratin and other tissue levels of total mercury and methyl mercury are in the process of being analyzed.
One unexpected result was the death of several turtles in one particular treatment group.These animals had been given a stable isotopic preparation (methylmercury 200) which we discovered was contaminated with trimethyltin. Trimethyltin is known to be a very toxic substance. We found out from the chemists who synthesized the material that tin is used in the preparation of the methylmercury and that they had accidently not purified the material properly. We are planning a separate research paper based on these unusual observations. The primary experiment was not seriously impacted by this unexpected result.
In an effort to understand the conversion dynamics for mercury to methylmercury, titers of both molecules have been analyzed by GC-ICPMS in a large set of periwinkle and terrapin keratin samples. For terrapins, there was no difference in scute % methylmercury for the Ashley River in Charleston Harbor vs. Purvis Creek, Georgia despite the order of magnitude higher total mercury at Purvis Creek. Surprisingly, however, % methylmercury for Purvis Creek snails was significantly lower (5.9%) than snails in the Ashley river (93.4%). Thus, elemental mercury appears to be picked up far more readily by the invertebrate while the turtle clearly accumulates methylmercury in the keratin comprising the scutes, suggesting terrapins may be a useful sentinel species. Preliminary biomagnification factors were calculated for these two sites by dividing scute MeHg concentrations into snail tissue MeHg. Values determined were 9.3 and 114.3 for Ashley River and Purvis Creek respectively.
Both from the perspective of the health of humans or of terrapins, we do not see indications of a serious problem for the areas of South Carolina that have been evaluated to date. The Georgia superfund site however remains a serious mercury environmental health hazard based on our limited work with the turtles and snails. In an unexpected observation we discovered that a commercially produced stable isotope of methylmercury 200 was contaminated with trimethlytin, a deadly toxin.
• Coastal Natural Hazards
Grantee (Principal Investigator) and Institution: David Prevatt, Clemson University
Award Number: NA16RG2250 (E/CE-1)
Time Period: March 1, 2005 through Feb. 28, 2006
Award Title: Comparing Field Measured Wind Pressures with Wind Tunnel Studies of Single-Family Homes in Suburban Areas
Complete Project Report: Available at SCSGC office.
Accomplishments and Outcomes: Principal Investigator and team have computed external wind pressure coefficients for three of the six houses comprising the study based on the full-scale analysis data previously collected. Of the three remaining houses one data set was not meaningful which will not be analyzed as it would produce erroneous results.
Wind tunnel studies have been completed on 1:50 scale models of the six houses in this study, and thus far we have determined the external pressure coefficients for equivalent pressure taps on five of six houses. The pressure coefficients for one house located on a hill was calculated on a model of the hill in the wind tunnel. However, more work is required to validate the scaling and test setup for that experiment. External wind pressure coefficients have been calcualted for the three roof zones on the six houses based on the design provisions of ASCE 7-02. Future analysis will yield a comparison of these deisgn values with the experimentally determined field and wind tunnel values already obtained.
The study team participated in post- disaster field investigations in the the Mississippi state coastal regions to document the wind damage to coastal storms from Hurricane Katrina. Students worked in collaboration with professional staff of the Institute of Business and Home Safety.
• Marine Aquaculture and Fisheries
Grantee (Principal Investigator) and Institution: Ted Smith, SC Department of Natural Resources
Award Number: NA16RG2250 (R/SE-2)
Time Period: March 1, 2005 through Feb. 28, 2006
Award Title: Impacts of Stocked Red Drum on the Recreational Fishery and Local Community of Murrells Inlet: Biological and Economic Considerations
Full Project Report: Available at SCSGC office.
Accomplishments and Outcomes: The first project objective is to refine protocols to improve production of juvenile red drum for stocking in Murrells Inlet. As was done in previous years, red drum broodstock were obtained as a result of long line fishing expeditions undertaken by DNR personnel. Fish were transported to indoor 12-foot recirculating tanks where photoperiod and temperatures were manipulated to condition them to spawn during their natural spawning period. Fish were spawned at the Department of Natural Resources Marine Resources Research Institute (MRRI) and 3 dph larvae were transported for 2 hours to ponds at the Waddell Mariculture Center (WMC) in Bluffton, SC. After ~3-4 days in the recovery ponds, the juvenile fish were harvested and transported 4 hours to the Murrell's Inlet estuary where they were released.
Larger juveniles were produced during this year to examine the impacts of stocking larger fish on recapture levels. In order to produce these larger juveniles, refinement of protocols was needed. Fish were fed Artemia nauplii while in the ponds after the zooplankton had been consummed. Additionally, the Artemia were supplemented with dry feed. Using this modified approach, we were successful in producing and stocking fish having a mean total length of 36.4 mm. The size stocked in 2005 was larger than the 19-30 mm fish that were stocked in 2004. Results from stocking the larger fish during 2004 and 2005 will be compared with the stocking of smaller sized fish during 2002 and 2003 to determine the effects of size at stocking to the contribution level of red drum in Murrells Inlet.
A second objective was to stock 500-700,000 juvenile red drum in Murrells Inlet during year 2004-2005. During fall 2005, a total of 625,269 red drum juveniles having a weighted mean total length of 36.4 mm were stocked into Murrells Inlet. Fish were released during the flood tide stage into small creeks lined by Spartina alterniflora vegetation. In an effort to further investigate the effect of size at release on recovery, we also released 1,000 double OTC marked fish during spring 2005. At release (April 21), the mean length of these fish was 154.6 mm TL and their mean weight was 41.9 g. By comparing returns of this relatively small group of 1,000 fish to that of the 650,755 fish released into the 2004 year class during the previous fall, we should obtain information on post-release survival and contribution level of larger fish. Such information will help optimize size of fish for stocking.
The project team also sampled recreational creels and conducted fishery independent sampling (as needed). The heads of red drum caught by anglers were deposited into a DNR freezer which had been placed at Harrellson's Seafoods facility in Murrells Inlet. In addition to the fish heads, anglers were requested to deposit a form that included their name, capture date and location, and fish size. In return for submitting the heads and the required information, anglers were rewarded with either a t-shirt or a hat bearing the red drum stocking logo signifying that they were cooperating anglers.
Fish heads were routinely removed from the freezer and returned to Charleston. At MRRI, the otoliths were removed from the heads, sectioned, mounted, and visually examined under UV light for the presence of an OTC mark, indicating a stocked fish. Verification of the wild/cultured classification was performed by analyzing genetic samples that were taken from the fins of fish and comparing them to the DNA of the red drum broodstock used to produce the fish.
In an effort to estimate the population of legal creel size red drum in Murrells Inlet, 248 legal size (mean 401 mm TL) red drum were grown in ponds and tanks and externally tagged. They were released on September 11, 2005. Three days following the release of the tagged fish in September, a fishing tournament was held. Anglers were requested to supply information regarding red drum caught during this fishing tournament. However, due to high sustained winds on the day of the tournament, only a limited amount of the anglers (8 of 42) who registered to participate actually fished. As a result, no red drum were caught during this tournament. Consequentially, no population estimate could be made based on the tournament results. In an effort to obtain useful information from the tagged fish release, anglers were provided with, upon tournament registration, a logbook in which they were requested to record all fishing activities for a 60-day period between the fishing tournament and November 1, 2005. This logbook asked for information associated with each fishing trip undertaken, including date, fishing location, number in fishing party, time of day fishing, length of trip and most importantly, number and size of all fish captured including the tag number from any tagged fish that was captured. As an extra incentive, in addition to being given a t-shirt, the names of all anglers who participated in this program and turned in their logbook were placed in a hat and drawn for $50.00 monetary prizes. A total of 14 anglers turned in fishing logs. 86 fishing trips were made by these anglers during September - November and 141 red drum were caught (mean size 22.2 inches). Of that number, 3 of the fish were tagged. Using a Peterson Estimate the creel size population of red drum during the time of the study was estimated to be 11,408 fish as compared to last year's estimate of 1,144. Additional estimates are planned during next 2 years to obtain information on variability in abundance and biomass of legal size fish in Murrells Inlet.
Although only 3 tagged fish were reported within the 2 months of release, to date, 42 of these fish have been recaptured (16.9%). This capture level reflects both a good survival level for the stocked fish as well as demonstrates the high fishing pressure exerted on red drum stocks in SC.
Another component of the study was to document the contribution of stocked fish to recreational fishery using OTC and genetic marks. A total of 1,131 red drum heads have been donated so far to the freezer program by local anglers, fishing clubs, or as a result of fishing tournaments. As was reported during the last reporting period, 224 of these heads were from the 2002 year class and have been examined for OTC marks. 6.3% of the fish examined were found to be marked. Further analysis looked at the 2003 and 2004 year classes of red drum. To date, of the total number of heads collected, 76 were from the 2003 year class, and 46 were from the 2004 year class. Visual otolith readings and genetic analysis showed that 7 fish, or 9.2% of the 2003 year class were hatchery-produced fish. Likewise, 7 fish, (15.2%) of the 2004 year class were found to be hatchery-produced. Samples of the 2003 and 2004 year classes will continue to be collected and analyzed until the fish exit the slot limit. Additionally, information on 2005 year class fish will be available as they enter the slot limit.
A comparison of OTC and genetic marking techniques were examined. Discrepancies between visual otolith analysis and genetic analysis in the identification of hatchery vs. wild fish were still observed during this reporting period. In some cases the fish identified by biologists as OTC marked were not identified as having genetic characteristics consistent with the hatchery broodstock. Conversely, in other cases, genetic analysis identified some hatchery fish that were not obvious as marked fish during the visual otolith analysis. In both cases we deferred to the results obtained from the genetic tests, as they are most likely to be a quantitative measure of the hatchery component. We will continue to attempt to reconcile these differences by developing a more quantitative method of identifying OTC marks. Preliminary investigations indicate that High Performance Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC) can be used to determine hatchery vs. wild fish. The HPLC technique can detect minute levels of OTC in the otoliths of the fish, and may remove the subjectivity from visual inspections. However, further refinement of this approach is needed to remove interference from otolith chemical components.
A key component of the study was to disseminate findings and prepare required reports to make the results available to interested parties. Project personnel have given talks at various forums during the course of this project, in order to inform the public and also to encourage anglers to donate heads. Talks were given to area fishing clubs, at captains' meeting prior to fishing tournaments, and to boaters, anglers, and interested individuals at the Murrells Inlet public boat landing. Research findings have been shared with counterparts at both the Mississippi and Georgia Departments' of Natural Resources and to colleagues in other states through attendance at various local, regional, national, and international meetings. Additionally, press releases and newspaper articles documenting stocking efforts in Murrells Inlet have been provided to the public.
Grantee (Principal Investigator) and Institution: Loren Coen, SC Department of Natural Resources
Award Number: NA16RG2250 (R/SR-1)
Time Period: March 1, 2005 through Feb. 28, 2006
Award Title: Developing Approaches and Associated Metrics for Restoration Success: Determining Intertidal Oyster Matching Goals with Using Small and Large Scale Reefs
Complete Project Report: Available at SCSGC office.
Accomplishments and Outcomes: As an initial step in this project, a workshop that addressed relevant issues associated with the topic of ‘Oyster Restoration Metrics for Assessing Ecological Function, Sustainability and Success’ was held in Myrtle Beach, SC. The group agreed upon suitable metrics by which all participating entities from various regions of the east coast could apply to their oyster restoration programs. To determine if the metrics have value the investigators used univariate and multivariate statistics to analyze several of the metrics that were identified as important indicators of oyster reef restoration success and ecological function. In particular, they examined interrelationships between oyster density, oyster size, and the resident associated reef fauna on constructed and natural oyster reefs in Toler’s Cove and Inlet Creek.
The associations between crab densities and oyster abundance parameters were not evident for analyses of total crab densities, indicating that species level identifications are needed to fully understand interactions among reef inhabitants. The scorched mussel, Brachidontes exustus, was most frequently correlated with oyster and other faunal species abundances.
A third objective was to collect new data for proposed metrics on SC restored and natural reefs to evaluate metrics at multiple, replicated SC restoration sites of differing ages and spatial scales. In Fall 2005, additional SCORE (South Carolina Oyster Restoration and Enhancement program) reefs were sampled, this time focusing on sites that had two and three year old reefs. Previous sampling indicated that success indicators are present at three years of age. The investigators were interested in determining whether some of these indicators may be present even earlier. The analysis of these samples is ongoing. Constructed reefs at Tolers Cove and Inlet Creek, as well as adjacent natural populations, were sampled in January 2005 and January 2006. Bivalve densities have increased over time on the constructed reefs, with oyster densities exceeding those of mussels at both Toler’s Cove and Inlet Creek. Sampling in 2005 revealed that both mussel and oyster densities appear to have leveled off. The January 2006 sampling differed from prior years in that researchers attempted to choose the “best” samples from the peripheral trays of each reef, rather than sampling randomly from the entire reef. This may more closely approximate how the adjacent natural populations were sampled, so should give a different comparison. Analyses of these data are ongoing.
A fourth major project area was the development of methodologies for novel metrics. One of the metrics that can be used to assess the success of restored oyster reefs is their effect on water quality. This component of the overall study is centered around a novel technique being developed to provide rapid assessment of seston uptake by populations of bivalve molluscs and mathematical modeling of the process. Seston studies yielded the following findings:
1. In situ fluorometry data showed significant differences between mean upstream anddownstream readings for all five reefs, with total seston uptake levels ranging from 1.9% to 23.1%.
2. Measured (in situ fluorometry) seston uptake rates compared reasonably well in four of five cases to model predictions, but only when the "low gear" model in Powell et al. (1992) was used to determine average clearance rates. The two SCORE reefs sampled in 2005 had only minimal seston uptake, and the older reef (constructed in 2001) showed slightly less than the younger reef (constructed in 2003). However, both rates (1.9% and 3.5%) compared well with model predictions, suggesting, as expected, that shellfish size and density are the major controls on seston uptake.
3. Laboratory analysis of chlorophyll a concentrations in pumped water samples taken concurrently with the in situ fluorometry data showed substantial variability between upstream and downstream data, except for one reef which indicated an overall 35% uptake rate (compared to 23.1% based on in situ fluorometry data); and the laboratory data compared well with the in situ fluorometry data.
4. Shell bottom with no live oysters did not result in measurable seston loss from the water column under the conditions tested. However, the data inadvertently were not logged. Seston measurements will be repeated over one or two shell bottoms with no live oysters in 2006.
In 2005 a datalogging protocol for the in situ fluorometry was developed and dual power/datalogging capabilities were incorporated. This refinement will be tested in 2006. These data have been preliminarily analyzed, and a presentation on the results was made at the National Shellfisheries Association annual meeting in March 2006. A manuscript has been submitted to Journal of Shellfish Research describing the seston uptake protocol and results from application in South Carolina and elsewhere. The investigators also looked at associated molluscan survival and growth.
The ribbed marsh mussel, Geukensia demissa, may influence disproportionately the dynamics of intertidal estuarine systems. Mussels have been shown to facilitate salt marsh plant growth, improve nearshore water quality, and increase sediment deposition. Typically distributed from low- to mid-marsh elevations, in the Southeastern US mussels also are associated with intertidal oyster reefs. Observed densities of mussels within reefs, often exceeding 300 m-2, suggests reefs may be important to the overall dynamics of estuarine mussel populations, that interactions among oysters and mussels may be important to each species growth and survival and potential water quality improvements expected from reefs, and mussels might represent a facile metric for assessing the success of oyster reef restoration efforts. Consequently, various population parameters of reef-associated mussels along with habitat and density effects on the growth and survival of mussels have been investigated. In the latest experiment the growth of mussels reared inside and outside reefs was examined to assess possible interspecific competition and intraspecific density effects. Varying numbers of mussels, 3 to 15, were placed in mesh bags staked at the same relative tidal elevation within oyster reef and mud flat locations. Initial shell and tissue mass were estimated from mussels sacrificed at the start of the experiment. Mussels were collected from bags after 1+ yr. and processed to determine changes in shell and tissue mass. Mortality was ca. 58% and independent of either density or reef effects. Growth in shell length was not significantly different among density and reef, but tissue mass changes did exhibit significant differences. The reduced tissue growth at greater mussel densities only within the reef suggests potential interspecific competitive interactions between reef mussels and oysters.
Overhead digital photography methods are also being employed. In the Fall 2004 sampling overhead photographs were able to provide percent surficial sedimentation both for whole reefs and for individual bags sampled. A number of faunal parameters were found to be correlated with the percent sedimentation. By taking sequential photographs we can track the sediment increase over time (see Figure below). The researchers are using this method to document differences between solid and patchy reefs constructed in 2005 at Fort Johnson. The overhead photography also provides documentation of marsh growth into the reefs.
Finally, evaluations of restoration projects outside of South Carolina were evaluated. To date, workshop participants from Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia have shared data that they have collected doing research on oyster reef restoration in their respective areas. These data include information about oyster density, oyster size, and the abundances of associated reef fauna. There are a number of other studies that have been conducted in these states and in other locations as well.
Grantee (Principal Investigator) and Institution: Michael Childress, Clemson University; Elizabeth Wenner, SC Department of Natural Resources
Award Number: NA16RG2250 (R-CF-10)
Time Period: March 1, 2005 through Feb. 28, 2006
Award Title: SC Blue Crabs: South Carolina Blue Crab Regional Abundance Biotic Simulation
Complete Project Report: Available at SCSGC office.
Accomplishments and Outcomes: Our SCBCRAB project has four goals, three goals have been completed and the one goal will be finished during our grant extension period.
Our first goal was to create a spatially explicit individual-based population model of blue crabs in South Carolina. We have completed this goal and now have a working individual based population model for blue crabs. We have developed this model using two different computer programming languages. The education model was written in NetLogo and has an outstanding graphical interface that can be accessed online via the internet. Please see our web site at clemson.edu/SCBCRABS. The research model is parallel in logic and structure, but was written in C# programming language. The advantage that C# model has over NetLogo, is the ability to use message passing technology to have multiple computers working in parallel. That means the research model runs faster and can handle an increased capacity for following more crabs across a larger spatial scale.
The SCBCRABS model follows individual crabs as they enter the nearshore environment and metamorphose from megalope to first stage juveniles (J1s). The model then tracks each individual crab as it grows, moves, reproduces and eventually dies. The crabs interact with the environment by moving between different habitat patches. Each habitat patch has a specific set of water quality values including depth, salinity, temperature and dissolved oxygen. Our current model approximates the habitat conditions and spatial arrangement of the Ashley River in Charleston. The juvenile crabs begin to appear in the model in the late spring when crab settlement begins. Each individual grows according to their own schedule and molts to the next larger size class depending on the temperature in their current habitat cell. Survival of these early stages is strongly influenced by natural predators and only a subset of these juvenile crabs reach sexual maturity (stage 12 – M12s for males or F12s for females). Once mature the female crabs have the opportunity to spawn and begin to migrate downriver toward Charleston Harbor. If the water quality conditions of a patch become extreme, there is a chance that crabs may die from exposure to these harsh conditions. Also, the model includes traps that catch adult crabs if they enter a particular patch. The actual design of the model including its flow chart of subroutines is available on our web site.
Our second goal was to parameterize and validate the model by analyzing fisheries independent data on the abundance and distribution of blue crab postlarvae, juveniles and adults across a network of sampling sites. To accomplish this goal, we first compared the temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen data available from monitoring stations in Charleston Harbor to the SCBCRABS model output across the annual cycle and the spatial range of river modeled. Once the model had a realistic cycle of water conditions, we then developed crab growth and mortality curves that produced a realistic size frequency distribution of crabs. We compared the results of SCBCRABS model output to trap and trawl survey data for three locations in the Ashley River provided by the SC Department of Natural Resources. The output of the SCBCRABS model captures the annual cycle of crab abundance and size frequency distribution that has been observed in the Ashley River over the last ten years. For example, crab abundance is highest in the third quarter and lowest in the first quarter of the year. The size frequency distribution shifts quarterly as the crab recruits enter the population during the summer and fall and grow larger during the following winter and spring. Males are more likely to be captured in traps up river while females are more likely to be trapped toward the mouth of the river. The best way to observe how the model behaves is to visit the education model posted on our web site clemson.edu/SCBCRABS.
Our third goal was to test “what if” scenarios to determine the impact of changes in water quality due to flood, drought, hypoxia, tropical storms, and /or fishing pressure on blue crab populations. We have begun this processes by comparing the population density, average size and annual catch of blue crabs during a five year simulation of drought vs. average water conditions. The model found crab abundances to be only 70% of normal densities during the drought conditions with the greatest impact occuring during the spring and summer quarters. This is more sensitive than the observed trawl data estimates of crab abundance which found crab abundances to be 90% of normal densities during the drought of 1999-2003 primarily during the summer quarter only. However, the model estimates of impact were much closer to the observed decrease in annual landings during the same period (down to 76% of normal landings) during the drought of 1999-2003. During the grant extension period, we will complete our comparison of "what-if" scenarios and continue to post these results to the SCBCRABS W web site.
Our fourth and final goal was to develop a web interface for this simulation model so fishermen, scientists, students and the general public can learn about blue crab population dynamics, life history and fisheries management policy. We have an active web site that is currently being developed to accomplish this task at clemson.edu/SCBCRABS. The web site currently contains a complete description of the model and its subroutines and has a JAVA portal that allows users to manipulate the conditions and run the simulation model. During the extension period on this grant, we will continue to post the results of our "what-if" scenarios, lession plans for using the SCBCRABS model in the classroom, and guidelines for how fishermen and fisheries managers might use the model to better understand the implications of changes in fisheries management strategies.
Grantee (Principal Investigator) and Institution: Kim Connolly, University of South Carolina
Award Number: NA16RG2250 (R/CF-11)
Time Period: March 1, 2005 through Feb. 28, 2006
Award Title: Planning for a Regulatory System to Implement Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management
Complete Project Report: Available at SCSGC office.
Accomplishments and Outcomes: Part one of the research is to identify and assess ecosystem-based management efforts in other areas of environmental law and regulation (such as the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. §§ 1531-1543 (2000), and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, 16 U.S.C. §§ 1361-1421h) (2000). This research has been completed and is in the final stages of being written. A second objective is to identify and assess current fisheries management methods that employ at least some level of ecosystem-based management (primarily the regulation of Essential Fish Habitat).This research has been completed and is in the final stages of being written up, as well. Thirdly, we wanted to assess (in conjunction with local stakeholders) the probable impact of a transition to ecosystem-based management on the South Atlantic Region and South Carolina (as an example of what can happen nation-wide), and efforts to connect with local stakeholders will be undertaken this summer. A project to develop possible regulatory approaches for ecosystem-based fisheries management is currently under development.
• Coastal Communities and Economies
Grantee (Principal Investigator) and Institution: M. Richard DeVoe and April Turner, South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium
Award Number: NA16RG2250 (A/CG-1)
Time Period: March 1, 2005 through Feb. 28, 2006
Award Title: Addressing the Challenges of Coastal Growth in South Carolina: A S.C. Sea Grant Consortium Initiative
Complete Project Report: Available at SCSGC office.
Accomplishments and Outcomes: Accomplishments include:
Coastal Communities – LU-CES: Linking Land Use and Coastal Ecosystems –
▪ The Coastal Communities specialist continued working with the LU-CES project team and user panel participants to develop outreach strategies for introducing and disseminating the LU-CES research results and tools. The CC specialist participated in LU-CES Project Investigator and User Panel meetings throughout the year (May 26-27, 2005 & September 30, 2005 in Charleston, S.C.)
▪ In conjunction with other Consortium staff, the CC specialist has been responsible for disseminating LU-CES information to coastal decision-makers, including the preparation of non-technical summaries of LU-CES research results for inclusion in the newly released book by Springer-Verlag titled Land-Use Change in the Coastal Zone: Managing Environmental Quality in Rapidly Growing Regions. Assistance with Comprehensive Land-Use Planning was provided.
Municipal Comprehensive Plan Analysis and Guidance –
▪ In collaboration with SC Department of Health and Environmental Control-Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, SC Sea Grant Extension staff collected and analyzed local government comprehensive land use plans in South Carolina coastal communities (8 county and 34 municipal plans) to assess local assistance needs in land-use planning. The land use and natural resource elements of the local comprehensive plans acquired were analyzed using the specific criteria compiled and developed into the checklist by project collaborators. A framework, guidelines, and recommendations were developed and are currently being incorporated into a publication for local communities to use in the revision process of the comprehensive plans. When complete, this publication will also be available on the SC Sea Grant Web site.
▪ Horry County Natural Resource Technical Committee. Reviewed and provided constructive criticism, suggestions, and comments for the Natural Resource Element of the Horry County Comprehensive Plan during the revision process. Attended several meetings and conference calls to discuss additions and edits to the existing natural resource element prior to the submission of the final draft to Horry County Council.
▪ Jasper County Comprehensive Natural Resource Conservation Plan. The plan is the result of numerous stakeholder workshops and focus group meetings and the input of more than 100 stakeholders representing local and regional government officials and staff, state and federal resource agencies, nonprofit conservation organizations, local businesses private land owners, and concerned citizens. Once finalized, the plan will be submitted to Jasper County to be incorporated into the Natural Resource Element of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, which is currently under revision.
South Carolina Coastal Community Initiative Grants Program – The recipients of the 2005-2006 cycle of this grant award were the coastal communities within Colleton County and Horry County.
▪ Horry County has compiled a county-wide open space inventory that in conjunction with modeling efforts will be used to establish a decision-making framework that analyzes land-use alternatives and impacts associated with the county’s open space. Once this process is complete, Horry County planners will develop an open space plan to be incorporated in the Natural Resources Element of the Horry County Comprehensive Land-Use Plan.
▪ Colleton County developed a master trails plan, providing a low impact alternative transportation system connecting open spaces for pedestrians and cyclists, while simultaneously providing public access to the natural resources of the ACE (Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto rivers) Basin.
▪ Distributed a request for proposals for the 2006–2007 cycle of the grant to all coastal communities along the coast in September 8, 2005. The Town of Sullivan’s Island was selected to receive funding for a Conservation Management Study project.
Sustainable Planning for the ACE Basin Region – This effort, conducted by a SC Sea Grant intern in partial fulfillment of her graduate degree in environmental studies, provided local stakeholders with a better understanding of the changing human activities and socioeconomic conditions in the Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto (ACE) Basin region, and specifically in Colleton County. An educational land-use planning tool was developed that can be easily used by the local community, the ACE Basin NERR, and other research reserves and coastal communities, to facilitate sound land-use decision-making by promoting quality growth and sustainable development. A community profile was conducted to identify primary issues and concerns among stakeholders, a socioeconomic atlas was created to illustrate data in a series of maps and tables, a natural resources inventory was conducted county-wide, and coastal growth management techniques were analyzed to help determine the appropriate management strategies, plans, and programs suitable for Colleton County.
Coastal Collaborative Outreach Coalition - Led by SCSGEP, a number of institutions responsible for programs that target coastal community issues and constituencies are working in partnership to enhance coordination of the coastal community outreach efforts in South Carolina. The group is seeking to coordinate and jointly deliver these programs, when appropriate, to minimize and avoid duplication of efforts and leverage scarce resources. Coalition partners have created a member list serve and developed a database of projects, programs, workshops, and other outreach events.
Community Dune Restoration Project – Assisted a local coastal community (City of Isle of Palms) with implementing a community dune restoration project. More than 175 participants installed 1,500 linear feet of sand fencing and planted 3,000 sea oats to encourage the formation of new sand dunes on a barrier island. An Extension publication is being developed based on the project process to provide guidance for those interested in becoming involved in similar dune restoration projects elsewhere along the coast.
• Marine Education
Grantee (Principal Investigator) and Institution: Leslie Sautter, College of Charleston
Award Number: NA16RG2250 (E/O-17)
Time Period: March 1, 2005 through Feb. 28, 2006
Award Title: Developing and Implementing a Southeast Marine Science Curriculum and Leadership Training Program: COASTeam Leadership Institute
Complete Project Report: Unavailable at this time.
Accomplishments and Outcomes: Did not receive report as of the date of this report.
Grantee (Principal Investigator) and Institution: Rob Young, Coastal Carolina University
Award Number: NA16RG2250 (E/O-18)
Time Period: March 1, 2005 through Feb. 28, 2006
Award Title: Expanding the Rising Tide Project: Changing How Researchers, Educators, and Students Work Together
Complete Project Report: Available at SCSGC office.
Accomplishments and Outcomes: The overarching goal of the Rising Tide project is to improve science and math education at all levels. The major activity of the project is to further develop the Rising Tide Project at Coastal Carolina University (CCU) and introduce/implement the model to the University of South Carolina (USC) and the College of Charleston (CofC), with the goal of achieving financial and logistic independence and sustainability at each institution by the end of the two year grant period.
In Year 1 (summer 2004), 7 Rising Tides were established, including 3 at CCU, 2 at USC, and 2 at CofC. In Year 2 (summer 2005), 7 teams were again established as per the distribution designated in the original proposal: 1 team at CCU and 3 teams each at USC and CofC. CCU was unable to raise private funding for additional teams in Year 2.
The PI met with Advancement Officers at CCU to add Rising Tide Teams to the funding priorities and requests for the university. In addition, the funding of Rising Tide Teams was listed as a fundraising priority for the CCU College of Natural and Applied Sciences. This was also distributed directly to the College Board of Visitors by the PI. Nonetheless, no funds were raised through the university Advancement Office for the Rising Tide Project. This reality caused us to change strategies and to market the Rising Tide model as an add-on to any faculty grants that might require or encourage an outreach component (e.g. Sea Grant, NSF, etc.). USC funded an additional team through this mechanism for the summer of 2006 and CCU was ready with an NSF RET (Research Experience for Teachers) supplement to support a team, but the designated teacher fell through at the last minute. Other CCU faculty members who served as Rising Tide Team mentors in the past included a Rising Tide Team in proposals to Sea Grant, but they were not funded. This mechanism, however, would seem to be the most effective way to continue to fund Rising Tide Teams. It is logistically simple, since the project is clearly defined and funded, and it is financially easier, since the faculty are generally being paid by the grant already, leaving only the cost for the student and teacher stipends and credits.
A second goal was to develop and improve the scientific skills and confidence of local (primarily high school) science teachers and undergraduate science majors. Three undergraduates and two teachers completed their pre- and post-surveys from Year 1. All strongly agreed (strongest rating on a 5 point scale) that participation in the Rising Tide Project improved their skills and confidence as researchers and enhanced their passion for scientific discovery. General comments from team members were uniformly postitive in support of the program. Final results from Year 2 participants are not in, as the project received a no-cost extension until June 1, 2006.
A third goal was to develop web-based classroom activities based on locally relevant marine and coastal research that are pedagogically sound and consistent with national and state educational standards. Eleven of the fourteen teams from the first year extended their projects beyond the January deadline for their web sites. Three teams completed their websites.The sites for each activity include the educational standards addressed and were tested in the teachers' classrooms.
Under the current grant, the Rising Tide model was successfully introduced to the three major university marine programs in the state and the actual student, teacher, and faculty participants benefitted greatly from the program, but the low percentage of teams that completed their web-based educational activities has proven to be the most difficult problem to fix and limits the broader impact of the program for other students and educators. Two primary reasons for this pattern are time conflicts once the school year begins and a limited ability to ensure follow-through by teacher participants. We anticipate that some teams will still complete their web sites in the summer or fall, but some will not. Further details and strategies to remedy this problem are under discussion.
The Rising Tide Project wants to increase the awareness, by educators and the general public, of marine science research conducted within South Carolina and associated educational materials. The website activities describe specific marine research projects within the state and work students through the specific scientific concepts and data. Three teams presented their research and sites at the South Carolina Marine Educators (SCMEA) Conference in April of 2005. These presentations also directed marine educators to the Rising Tide site as a whole. The 2006 SCMEA Conference was moved from spring to fall, so Year 2 participants have not had an opportunity to present their findings at this conference, though some will likely do so in the fall. On final surveys, Rising Tide teacher participants strongly agreed that participation in the program improved their awareness of major scientific research efforts going on in their state/community.
Another goal of the Rising Tide project is to enhance and support the research activities of marine researchers in South Carolina. Each of the 14 Rising Tide Teams provided to faculty researchers two research assistants (120 hours each) and $1000 in research-associated funding in support of their ongoing marine research projects. Teams were fairly equally distributed between the three state universities.
Finally, the project aims to promote interaction between marine researchers, teachers, and undergraduates, thereby fostering a mutual appreciation for the abilities, concerns, and responsibilities of each group. By definition, Rising Tide Teams include members from each group (1 faculty researcher, 1 local science teacher, and 1 undergraduate). Each team member becomes aware of the job demands of the other. In particular, the teacher and undergraduate gain an appreciation for the requirements and limitations of research and the researcher and undergraduates gain an appreciation for educational requirments and standards of teachers and the components required to produce educational activities for the classroom. This interaction, and the resulting long-term relationships, were consistently mentioned as a highlight of the program in participant surveys.
We claim no economic effects of this project through research products, since the Rising Tide Program assists research projects but is not the primary funding support. We anticipate that these activities will be used by science teachers in their high school and middle school (and in some cases elementary school) classrooms. The activities have particularly benefitted the partipating Rising Tide teachers and their schools. A listing of those teachers and scholls may be found in the complete report on fiel at the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium.
• Smart Growth Initiative
Grantee (Principal Investigator) and Institution: April Turner and M. Richard DeVoe, South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium
Award Number: NA16RG2250 (A/CG-2)
Time Period: March 1, 2005 through Feb. 28, 2006
Award Title: Smart Growth Initiative
Complete Project Report: Available at SCSGC office.
Accomplishments and Outcomes: Jasper County is a predominately rural county with a population of 21,000 and only two incorporated municipalities, yet it is on the verge of burgeoning growth. Local government officials and residents, concerned with the lack of planning policies and zoning ordinances in the county, expressed a willingness to participate in a quality growth pilot project offered through the SC Sea Grant Extension Program. The project objective is to stimulate quality growth planning and implementation in Jasper County, South Carolina, by educating local decision-makers about innovative quality growth policies, tools, and strategies. (Note: In South Carolina, the term “smart” growth can be contentious and is therefore referred to in this report as “quality” growth.)
In August of 2004, the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium (SCSGC) in conjunction with the Jasper Soil and Water Conservation District (JSWCD), the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) began this countywide conservation planning effort. Based on the principle that community stakeholders are best suited to deal with local resource issues, these agencies working in partnership organized local, regional, state, and local government agencies, non-profit organizations, businesses, and private citizens with an interest in natural resources to work together on conservation planning for Jasper County. The planning effort included five basic steps which include: (1) Assess the natural resources and conservation needs in the County; (2) Set community conservation goals; (3) Develop an action plan, or in this case, a countywide conservation plan; (4) Implement the plan, or in this case, integrate the plan into the new comprehensive growth plan; and (5) Measure success.
Three public workshops were held to educate and inform stakeholders about quality growth planning strategies and natural resource conservation planning and to gather input about the conservation concerns and issues participants felt needed to be addressed in order to develop a conservation needs assessment for the county. The information gathered served as a platform for making decisions about local priorities and policies for natural resource conservation and was used to draft an outline of the conservation plan. To represent stakeholder views, a smaller yet diverse focus group with a broad range of expertise was organized to identify priorities, set measurable goals and objectives, and identify useful strategies to achieve the goals and objectives to be incorporated into the conservation plan. The Stakeholder Focus Group met monthly to write, review, and edit the conservation plan over the course of the year.
Once finalized, the plan will be submitted to Jasper County staff and council, who are working with the regional planning agency to integrate the plan components into the natural resources element of the comprehensive land use plan, currently under revision. The project goal was not realized before the end of the grant period, because the revisions to the comprehensive plan are not scheduled to be completed and submitted to the County Council until fall 2006, and then it will have go through the council approval process.
Grantee (Principal Investigator) and Institution: M. Richard DeVoe and Robert H. Bacon, South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium
Award Number: NA16RG2250 (R/CH-2)
Time Period: March 1, 2005 through Feb. 28, 2006
Award Title: Coastal Hazards Theme Team
Complete Project Report: Available at SCSGC office.
Accomplishments and Outcomes: The primary activities performed under this grant during the reporting period focused on (1) the development, refinement, and production of a cross-theme strategic initiative titled “Enhancing Community Resilience to Natural Disasters through
Science-based Planning, Mitigation, Restoration, and Education” that has been used to support Sea Grant’s FY07 appropriation request to Congress (and longer term through the NOAA budget process), (2) revision of the Coastal Hazards Theme Team one-pager, and (3) planning an upgrade of the Sea Grant network’s HazNet Web site () to incorporate community resiliency resources.
[pic] NATIONAL STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS
• National Marine Aquaculture Initiative
Grantee (Principal Investigator) and Institution: David Brune, Clemson University
Award Number: NA16RG2250
Time Period: March 1, 2005 through Feb. 28, 2006
Award Title: Identification of High Rate Algal Systems for Sustainable Marine Bivalve Seed and Shrimp Co-production
Complete Project Report: Available at SCSGC office.
Accomplishments and Outcomes: In 2005-2006 the Clemson PAS (Partitioned Aquaculture System) was reconfigured to include an anaerobic sedimentation basin, aerated basin (with anoxic zone for sludge recycle), and a reduced-volume tilapia holding basin. Initial stocking of shrimp was 500/m2, with average survival of 51% or harvest density 255/m2. Water exchange between the shrimp units and reactor was maintained at 100 to 175% of shrimp system volume per day. The water salinity was maintained at 12 ppt, Seasonal feed application was increased to an average of 674 kg/ha-day with peak application reaching 1663 kg/ha-day of 3/32 inch pelleted, 35% protein feed. At the end of 143 days the shrimp yield increased yet again to 37,400 kg/ha of 29 count shrimp. The system water quality was dominated by bacterial biomass or a “brown-water” system. Algal photosynthetic nitrogen assimilation rate decreased to 5% of the increased feed nitrogen application rate of 3.8 gm N/m2-day. Although limited algal photosynthesis continued within the system, at this point the nitrogen control was predominately dependent upon suspended culture nitrification and denitrification. Algal and waste sludge removal was completely eliminated; only shrimp biomass was removed from the system. Furthermore, system nitrate concentration at the end of the season was similar to that observed at the beginning of the season (10 mg/L). 11% of applied nitrogen was captured as harvested shrimp biomass, while denitrification accounted for the remaining 89% of applied nitrogen. Water column volatile solids content increased significantly consisting of a rapidly settling bacterial-floc averaging 223 mg/L, with maximum concentrations as high as 640 mg/L. Water column ammonia and nitrite concentrations were allowed to increase to an average of 2.0 and 0.9 mg/l respectively. An additional advantage of the bacterial activity in 2005/2006 was the generation of alkalinity from a more complete denitrification reaction. System alkalinity averaged 200 mg/L (as CaCO3) in 2005/2006 completely eliminating the need for alkalinity addition. This is in stark contrast to the 85 mg/l alkalinity (supplied as NaHCO3) maintained in 2004.
The primary reason for the increased solids content in the water column came as a consequence of the limitation to effectively maintain increased solids content in the shallow aerated basin (as compared to 2004 operations). This limitation will be the focus of continued improvements in system design. Design and installation of a deeper, more effective bacterial reactor will allow for better containment and concentration of nitrifying biomass, resulting in sustained high rates of nitrogen removal(within a reduced footprint), while simultaneously allowing for a reduced light extinction in the shrimp footprint resulting in a return to high rates of algal photosynthesis. The increased “green-water” characteristic is highly desired, as it enhances the capacity of the system to avoid excessive CO2 concentrations (i.e. low pH), while further increasing system shrimp carrying capacity, and potentially providing a higher quality bivalve food supply.
Application of the PAS to Bivalve Production –
Although tilapia/shrimp co-culture was successfully demonstrated in the 2005/2006 growing seasons at Clemson University, tilapia is not the best animal for use in co-culture with marine shrimp. It was found that considerable effort is required to maintain physical separation of shrimp and tilapia. If tilapias invade the shrimp culture space, they will aggressively out-compete with the shrimp for feed. A more “passive” filter-feeding organism is needed for PAS culture to allow for operator control of algal cell age and algal density. An animal better suited to co-culture with shrimp would be one of higher economic value, and "passive" with respect to competition for shrimp feed. Marine bivalves may be ideally suited for this application. The high rate of algae production (20 gm dry wt/m2-day) which is generated in the PAS may be used to maintain water quality for the co-cultured shrimp, while also serving as a valuable food source to support a bivalve nursery (clams and oysters).
Reduced funding in the second year of the 2005 to 2006 award prevented much of the planned industry research and demonstration activities. In spite of this in 2005/2006 Atlantic Farms was successful in installing and operating two greenhouse-covered 250 m2 PAS units demonstrating clam seed production within up-flow reactors However, during these short experimental trials observed clam seed growth was 50% of expected growth rates. Further experiments will be required to isolate the cause of the reduced seed growth rate, and to explore the possibility of sustaining bivalve seed production using algal generation from shrimp co-culture units. Specific issues to address include balancing of potential shrimp production, with algae and bivalve production, and bivalve culture sterilization procedures.
Summary of Results –
The 2005 to 2006 Clemson PAS operation and shrimp growth trials were successful in achieving five targeted goals: 1) production of 29 count shrimp in a zero discharge system at yields in excess of 37,000 kg/; 2) demonstration of the capability to concentrate chemoautotrophic microbial biomass to 1000 mg/L, within reactors occupying 12% of system footprint; 3) separation of nitrification and algal functions leading to algal production as high as 10 gm C/m2-day at feed application exceeding 1200 kg/ha-day; 4) complete sludge degradation to N2 and CO2, eliminating the need for sludge handling and disposal and, 5) installation and 3 months operation of greenhouse PAS units for algae and seed clam production at the Atlantic Farms facility.
• Gulf Oyster Industry Program
Grantee (Principal Investigator) and Institution: Tammi Richardson, University of South Carolina
Award Number: NA16RG2250
Time Period: June 1, 2005 through August 30, 2006
Award Title: Kerenai brevis Photopigment Workshop
Complete Project Report: Available at SCSGC office.
Accomplishments and Outcomes: Communication between scientists and managers is often less than ideal and the value of targeted outreach activities is becoming increasingly apparent. For this project, we completed the transfer of information between scientists and state regulators by conducting a workshop aimed at the training of personnel in sample collection procedures and a photopigment-based protocol for the detection of the harmful dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis. This protocol was developed with funding from the Gulf Oyster Initiative in 2001 in response to the need for improved detection and monitoring for Karenia brevis (see also Richardson & Pinckney, 2004). The approach can be used as a rapid and reliable alternative to cell counts for the continuous monitoring of this HAB-causing organism in coastal waters.
The workshop was held in Columbia, SC from March 13 to 17, 2006. There were a total of 11 participants (Table 1 below) from Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. There were two main components: Hands-on training and guest lectures.
Hands-on Training –
Day 1 of the workshop consisted of an introduction to photopigment-based identification of phytoplankton and basics of HPLC methods, and a general outline of the protocol. Participants then worked in pairs with simulated samples and went through the protocol which included “sample collection” (modified, as we were in the laboratory), filtration techniques, and extraction processes, followed by HPLC setup, solvent preparation, and the initiation of sample analysis on Day 2.
Days 3 and 4 involved completion of sample analyses, data download, and calculations. Bloom samples were simulated by adding low concentrations (< 5 cells ml-1) of cultures of K. brevis to seawater containing a mixed phytoplankton community. Each participant was provided with a folder containing workshop schedules and protocols, along with a CD of pdf files of pertinent scientific publications, including the Richardson & Pinckney (2004) publication that describes in detail the development of the protocol.
Guest Lectures –
As part of the broader educational outreach, we included afternoon guest lectures by noted HAB researchers. On Day 1, Dr. Barbara Kirkpatrick (Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL) spoke on environmental health issues associated with brevetoxin inhalation and the on-going research in this area on the west Florida coast. On Day 2, Dr. Gary Kirkpatrick (Mote Marine Laboratory) spoke on detection of K. brevis using an absorption-based instrument he developed, and about recent developments in the area of ocean-based detection of HABs. On Day3, Dr. Alan Lewitus (NOAA-Coastal Ocean Program) spoke on HAB research in the State of South Carolina.
Status and Outcomes –
The workshop has been completed and follow-up activities are underway. Based on the results of a post-workshop questionnaire, most of the participants agreed that a pigment-based approach to K. brevis monitoring represents a substantial improvement over cell-count based approaches, especially if used as a screening tool. Avenues for further development included performing a single lab validation of various strains of Karenia brevis. One of the workshop participants is currently modifying the sampling protocol for use in their local waters (Alabama). We are currently investigating the requirements for USDA approval of this method as an alternative to direct cell counts of Karenia brevis for fisheries closures.
Relation to SG Objectives -
Our proposal directly addressed two aspects of the Gulf Oyster Industry Program objective 5 on harmful algal blooms (HABs), namely to: “Conduct HAB research advisory and outreach activities” and to “Conduct workshops for state and Federal shellfish managers, sanitation personnel, and researchers to include new monitoring, diagnostic, and management protocols for use in reopening shellfish growing waters closed by HABs”. Overall, this workshop provided not only as a means to train personnel in the photopigment-based approach, but also was a broader educational outreach opportunity for state workers involved in K. brevis monitoring.
Table 1: List of Participants
Meridith Byrd Texas Parks and Wildlife, Austin, TX
Pamela Hamlett Texas Parks and Wildlife, San Marcos, TX
Steve Breland Dept. of Marine Resources, Biloxi, Mississippi
CW Clarke Dept. of Marine Resources, Biloxi, Mississippi
Bradley Randall Dept. of Marine Resources, Biloxi, Mississippi
Carol Dorsey Alabama Dept. of Public Health, Mobile, AL
Dave Murray Alabama Dept. of Public Health, Mobile, AL
Erin Faltin Florida Fish & Wildlife Research Institute, St. Petersburg, FL
Grantee (Principal Investigator) and Institution: Ken Moore, International Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC)
Award Number: NA16RG2250
Time Period: June 1, 1005 through August 30, 2006
Award Title: ISSC Vibrio vulnificus Education Program 2005
Complete Project Report: Available at SCSGC office.
Accomplishments and Outcomes: This grant involved three activities. ISSC progress and activities are described below.
Facilitation of ISSC Vibrio vulnificus Risk Management Plan –
This grant afforded ISSC the opportunity to continue facilitation of the state efforts to reduce the risk of Vv from the consumption of raw shellfish. The approach included support and improvement of state Vv education programs by providing information, producing educational materials as needed and evaluating education efforts. The ISSC continued its assistance in the development and advancement of post-harvest techniques to reduce Vv risk. In addition the ISSC kept the states informed of all Vv developments (illness reports, funding sources, successful Vv risk reduction projects). The structure within the ISSC included close coordination with the Vibrio Management Committee, Education Committee, Vibrio vulnificus subcommittee, Vv Education Subcommittee and the ISSC Executive Board.The approach used by the ISSC in facilitation of state Vv management plans was developed through consultation with the states identified in the ISSC Vv Management Plan as source states. These include Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida. Industry representatives from these states were also included in consultation efforts. The ISSC contracted with Dorothy Leonard to coordinate the activities of the project. This effort provided assistance to the ISSC source states in implementation of their State Vv Risk Management plans. This focus of the assistance was to identify obstacles and challenges for states and provide clarification for state implementation and compliance. Each of the three risk management plan components were addressed in the project, i.e. education, post-harvest processing, and regulatory controls. From consultation activities the ISSC continues to identify activities which are needed to assist states in developing and implementing effective Vv Risk Management Plan.
Workshop for Vibrio vulnificus Educators, State & Federal Agency Representatives, and the Shellfish Industry –
On April 6 and 7, 2006, ISSC held a Vibrio vulnificus Education Workshop in Salt Lake City, Utah to review current and past efforts and develop a Plan of Action for the future. Twenty members of the committee attended the workshop. Presentations covered background on Vibrio vulnificus Cases, Profiles of Patients and Geographic Information and a discussion of Vibrio vulnificus Risk Management.
▪ Educating the Medical Practitioners - The successful Continuing Education Program for Physicians was discussed and the Facilitator used the opportunity to lead the audience through the physician course covering each question the doctors were posed and the correct answers. The attendees recommended that the course be expanded to include nurses and dieticians. ISSC has obtained funding and the new courses are being designed.
▪ Pharmacy Inserts on Vibrio vulnificus - The pharmacy initiative, led by Florida’s Division of Consumer Affairs, will be expanded by Walgreens and ultimately will cover at-risk patients nationwide. First Walgreens is expanding the distribution of brochures throughout Florida, currently covering the entire state minus the Panhandle. Walgreens hopes to have Mayo-Clinic on-line by October.
▪ PHP Education - Mississippi has taken the lead in the development of post harvest processing educational materials and will be seeking funds to update the materials and produce more for the use of all interested states. They have also conducted the consumer-at-large survey with 191 respondents from a broad audience of business professional.
▪ ISSC Educational Materials - The Vibrio vulnificus educational materials were evaluated and recommendations made for future development. The Multi-Year Results of ISSC & State Vv Consumer Education Programs report will be refined to an annual report that can be analyzed to show annual trends and improvements each year. All activities listed will include dates of accomplishment and number of events, number of distributions of various educational material, etc. The Harvester Education Video produced by the ISSC focused on Overboard Discharge and expanded into Vibrios and Time and Temperature Controls. There are 1,000 copies of the video and brochures ready for distribution to the states.
▪ Planning for the Future - The Committee agreed to change the Vv Education Goals & Criteria. A few suggestions were made for a strategic intent to be included in a comprehensive three year plan. The elimination of Vv associated deaths and illnesses due to consumption of raw oysters. Elimination of raw oyster consumption by the at-risk consumer. The committee agreed to do a Three-Year Plan – broken down into yearly annual performance goals. They agreed that the first emphasis should be health care professionals. The Committee decided to identify funding sources and put together a comprehensive program associated with funding cycles to submit a combined proposal to ISSC. The plan should include primary funding contacts, and projects and the ISSC will develop a proposal. In addition there should be a written plan/goal/survey to measure changes.
▪ Surveys - The Committee recommended that another consumer survey be conducted in late 2008, with results in 2009, to determine where we are with the education effects. It was suggested that the Internet should be included in the next survey. The Gulf and South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation has monies ($30K) to provide partial funding for a survey that they would like to see conducted in 2007.
▪ Miscellaneous - Vibrio vulnificus Online Education for Nurses and Dieticians - On July 27, 2006, the ISSC requested a no-cost extension to allow for completion of this activity. The ISSC has completed drafts of the nurse and dietician online course. The ISSC Vibrio Education Committee will review these drafts in October. The ISSC expects this course to be operational by December 1, 2006.
[pic] SECTION II: IMPACTS
The following impacts have, and are having, a positive effect on the coastline of South Carolina. These examples illustrate how we live by our motto Science Serving South Carolina’s Coast. Each impact is directly tied to one or more strategic goals of the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium.
• Consortium Extramural Funds Experience Strong Growth
Leveraged Funds Have Grown to 70% of Consortium’s Budget
In FY2005-06, the Consortium secured more than $4.2 million in extramural (non-state, non-Sea Grant) funding – approximately 70% of the Consortium’s total budget. This significantly affects, in a positive manner, the Consortium’s ability to fund worthy projects that help it achieve its strategic goals and overall mission.
• Monitoring South Carolina Shoreline Change
Informing beach nourishment decisions
The Beach Erosion and Resource Monitoring (BERM) Program, a component of the Coastal Erosion Study, measures beach “profiles” at 400 sites along the South Carolina coast to determine the nature of and rate at which the shoreline is changing. BERM is the primary source of information used by the S.C. DHEC-Ocean and Coastal Resource Management to generate its annual “State-of-the-Beaches” report to the citizens of South Carolina. In addition, Horry County (for Arcadia Shores and Surfside/Garden City) and the City of North Myrtle Beach use BERM data to help with compliance and monitoring issues regarding nourishment projects, and BERM provided immediate surveys request for Hunting Island State Park to assist the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers efforts to secure emergency funding for nourishment and repair of storm damage at the park.
• Mapping the Coastal Ocean Bottom
Identifying Essential Fish Habitat
The S.C. Department of Natural Resource's (SCDNR) mandate in managing the states resources has been greatly aided by work of the Coastal Erosion Study Cooperative. The sea floor mapping coverage in the coastal ocean region off South Carolina is among the most comprehensive in the country. Techniques developed for acoustically delineating nearshore reef habitats, in concert with the Study, were built on the massive regional sonar coverage of the inner continental shelf. These techniques and capabilities have been expanded and used to aid SCDNR with monitoring of the Offshore Dredged Materials Disposal Site (ODMDS) for Charleston Harbor as well as the reefs adjacent to the large Grand Strand Beach Nourishment Project, greatly enhancing the ability of resource agencies in identifying, mapping, and managing essential fisheries habitat important to the state’s fisheries resources.
• Southeast Regional Association for IOOS
Integrating coastal ocean observing capabilities in the southeast U.S.
The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium is serving as the lead organization, under the terms of a grant awarded by the NOAA Coastal Services Center, to foster the establishment of a “Regional Association” for the coastal ocean observing system network in the Southeastern coastal ocean region of the United States. The Southeast Coastal Ocean Observations Regional Association, (SECOORA: see ), will ultimately be responsible for administrative, operational, and budgetary aspects of the southeastern observing system network, and will be a member of the emerging National Federation of Regional Associations that will serve as the network for the OceanUS office.
• Coastal/Inland Flood Observation and Warning (CI-FLOW) System
Improving flood detection and warning capabilities
The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and its partners, The National Sea Grant Office, North Carolina Sea Grant, and the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), are leading a regional project, CI-FLOW (Coastal/Inland Flood Observation and Warning), to pilot a new flood detection and monitoring system. Test results are being used in conjunction with National Weather Service flood tools to improve flash flood detection and warning capabilities.
CI-FLOW is also being integrated by N.C. State University researchers into a hurricane storm surge model to provide more accurate inputs from riverine flooding, and is being exported to Sea Grant programs in the Gulf of Mexico for flood applications there.
• HazNet Web site and Hurricane Katrina Portal
Informing coastal residents about recovery and restoration
In 2005, in the immediate aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and the Sea Grant network responded to the needs of the affected communities by creating a Katrina/Rita web portal on the Sea Grant Hazards Theme Team Web site HazNet (see ). Since these 2005 hurricanes, the HazNet Web site has been accessed by more than 40,000 individuals and has recorded more than 200,000 hits.
• Multi-disciplinary Team’s Findings Published in Book by Springer-Verlag
LU-CES Study – Land Use Coastal Ecosystem Study Milestone
The South Atlantic Bight Land Use – Coastal Ecosystem Study (LU-CES), a multidisciplinary research program initiated by the Consortium with funding from the NOAA Coastal Ocean Program, has generated information on direct cause-and-effect linkages between population and development trends and their impacts on the region’s salt marsh-tidal creek ecosystems.
LU-CES research results have formed the basis for a recently published (2006) book by Springer-Verlag titled Changing Land-Use Patterns in the Coastal Zone: Managing Environmental Quality in Rapidly Growing Regions, edited by Gary S. Kleppel, M. Richard DeVoe, and Mac V. Rawson. Sea Grant extension and communications staff are listed as associate editors for their contributions in writing the chapter summaries. Up to two dozen investigators from all marine-related science disciplines contributed to the book by writing chapters covering their areas of research. Due to the multidisciplinary and collaborative nature of the study, the book should become a landmark in the area of understanding coastal estuarine ecosystem dynamics and the nature of anthropogenic inputs.
Jasper County Smart Growth Project
Preparing for growth
In August of 2004, the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium (SCSGC) in conjunction with the Jasper Soil and Water Conservation District (JSWCD), the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) began a countywide conservation planning effort. The planning effort included five basic steps: (1) assess the natural resources and conservation needs in the County; (2) set community conservation goals; (3) develop a countywide conservation plan; (4) integrate the plan into the new comprehensive growth plan; and (5) measure success. Several significant benefits will accrue as a result of the initiative.
▪ More than 100 stakeholders representing local and regional government officials and staff, state and federal resource agencies, nonprofit conservation organizations, local businesses private land owners, and concerned citizens were involved in developing the plan. This indicates a high level of “buy-in,” which bodes well for the future of the plan. A final review of the plan is underway, after which the plan will be submitted to the County for incorporation into the Natural Resource Element of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The Jasper County Natural Resources Conservation Plan is scheduled for printing in August 2006, and once printed is slated for distribution to all municipalities within Jasper County, participants of the Stakeholder Workshop Series, Focus Group members, and any other interested parties as requested. Additionally, the Plan will be available as an interactive PDF file on CD-ROM or as a downloadable file from the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium Web site.
▪ The plan will serve as an informational guidebook for the residents of Jasper County and local developers, a resource and education tool for natural resource educators and planners, and most importantly, an inventory of biological data and innovative solutions of how to protect the many fragile ecosystems and species in the region. The Jasper County Natural Resource Conservation Plan provides specific data, personal accounts, and recommendations for the County’s comprehensive growth plan. The plan will help direct future growth patterns, provide quality growth management tools that are designed to protect the County’s natural resources, and preserve the rich heritage and quality of life in Jasper County, while minimizing or avoiding the problems associated with poorly planned development.
▪ The project also generated a great deal of support for protection of natural resources, quality of life, and local community character from the private property owners. Stemming from the original project a group of private landowners with large land holdings (greater than 4,000 acres each) have formed an association and held meetings to discuss how they can actively become involved in resource protection and education. The group now is exploring options to protect their properties with conservation easements and is eager to learn more about implementing low impact development practices and other quality growth strategies.
• Progress Made on Invasive Species
Winyah Bay Focus Area Task Force and SC Beach Vitex Taskforce – Invasive
Species
Co-chaired by the SCSGC Extension Program, the Winyah Bay Focus Area Taskforce, comprised of Clemson University, The Nature Conservancy, SC DNR, University of South Carolina, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and private industry and landowners, was formed to address the threat of invasive plant species in the area of the north central S.C. coast. During the reporting period, the task force identified five major invasive species: common reed, beach Vitex, giant reed, alligatorweed and water hyacinth. Phragmites has already been identified as an invasive species in South Carolina.
Below is a fully developed sequence of an extension program from inception to outcome. Jack Whetstone (SCSGEP) co-chairs the taskforce. It is a partnership; it identifies and targets invasive plant species; it applied for and received grant support (public and private); the task force developed action/management plans; conducted demonstrations and symposia; and the efforts resulted in the development of two additional species-specific task forces, and the adoption of ordinances by several beach front communities.
The Winyah Bay Focus Area Task Force developed action plans and cooperative control programs for Phragmites. To aid the effort, grant support was obtained to determine the geographical extent of coverage of the invasive plant species. The group conducted demonstrations for landowners/managers of potential control methods, and developed a cost-share program for private landowners to conduct their own control programs. Symposia were conducted on the latest biology and control information on the invasive species.
Members conducted Phragmites control demonstrations on three plantations totaling 48 acres comparing the efficacy of specific chemical controls. The controls are in year two of post application evaluation. Grant support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, along with additional cost-share funding from state, federal and environmental organizations, has been obtained to conduct future Phragmites australis cost-share control programs.
The SC Beach Vitex Taskforce was organized and two grants from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation were received to educate the public, identify and locate beach Vitex incursions onto beaches, determine its biology and develop control demonstrations and recommendations. The S.C. taskforce combined with a similar organization in North Carolina to become the Carolinas Beach Vitex Taskforce in order to address a regional problem.
The towns of Pawleys Island, Edisto Beach and Folly Beach, and Georgetown County, SC, and Baldhead Island, NC adopted ordinances regulating beach Vitex. Extension and research programs continue with a proposal for a large scale eradication program in SC being submitted for funding in 2007.
• Gut-check Revealing
USC scientist quantifies blue crab predation on marsh snails
A recent hypothesis of top-down (predation) control of saltmarsh plant growth mediated by a trophic cascade involving blue crab consumption of periwinkle snails, the putative grazer of saltmarsh cordgrass was tested in North Inlet, SC. Snail densities averaged 50 per square meter throughout the summer and fall. Based upon the visual and immunological analysis of wild-caught blue crab gut contents, the proportion of crabs containing identifiable solid parts (opercula, shells) or solubilized proteins from periwinkle snails was low during all summer times of collection. Based upon estimates of blue crab abundance, measurements of the gut retention time of periwinkle meals and the number of periwinkle snails that could be ingested on a daily basis by blue crabs, the impact of blue crab predation on the periwinkle snail population was minuscule. We found little evidence to support the trophic cascade hypothesis involving predator-prey interactions between blue crabs and periwinkle snails.
• Red Drum Stocking Program
A reversal of fortune?
South Carolina Sea Grant researchers are succeeding in a stocking program that should help toward bringing back populations of red drum (also called red fish and spot tail bass). Their work involves stocking experiments in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. The effort is important because the species was severely over fished in the 1980s.
A number of issues are being examined in the studies including the effect of stocking size on return level, the utility of two different marking approaches, use of stocked fish to estimate population size of legal size fish, community involvement to provide the sample data used to evaluate impacts, and ultimately the fate of the stocked fish in the angler’s creel and the offshore adult population.
Over the past four years, different size groups of fish were stocked to determine the importance of size at stocking on return level. Stocking level was maintained at approximately 500,000 fish per year. During 2002 and 2003 smaller fish were stocked, while during 2004 and 2005 larger fish were stocked. To further investigate the effect of size at release, 1,000 double marked (oxytetracycline) fish were also released during spring 2005 (mean TL 154.6 mm; mean weight 41.9 g). The information obtained by comparing returns of these different groups of fish will help to optimize stocking protocol.
In SC, index data are collected annually on red drum from different areas. However, such data are relative and don’t attempt to estimate population size. During fall 2004 and 2005 tagged legal size (15” TL) red drum were stocked as part of Sea Grant sponsored tournaments aimed at determining population size. The legal size population was estimated at 1,144 in 2004 and 11,408 in 2005. Additional estimates are planned for 2006 and 2007 to obtain information on variability and changes in population size. These are the first estimates for any population of red drum in SC.
Due to the characteristics of Murrells Inlet, this project has relied on community involvement to provide the biological samples used in the assessment of impacts. Results to date have been very satisfactory as anglers have been highly responsive in putting fish racks in project freezers. Also, the results clearly demonstrate that stocked fish are being recruited to the angler’s creel. Similarly, efforts are underway to collect fin clips (genetic samples) from the adult population to demonstrate the contribution of stocked fish in the adult spawning population. Such information will be critical in addressing the question of sustainability of stocked populations.
Statewide Cleanup Nets 58.5 Tons of Trash
Beach Sweep/River Sweep
The 17th annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep was held September 17, 2005, and nearly 6,000 volunteers across South Carolina joined forces to rid beaches, marshes, and waterways of unsightly, and sometimes dangerous, debris.
Covering over 1,050 miles in 38 of South Carolina’s 46 counties, cleanup crews removed 58.5 tons of trash, recycling much of what was collected. On the coast, volunteers tackled over 100 sites – from Waites Island to Daufuskie Island – that were made safer, healthier, and more beautiful for all to enjoy. Aside from the typical cans, bottles, and cigarette butts, some unusual items include a battalion of toy soldiers; baby pool; shuffle board disc; Halloween skeleton; fishing rods and reels; many plastic beach chairs, tents, and umbrellas; swimming goggles and earplugs; a working watch; spotlight; large pet carrier; 55-gallon drum; propane tank; and a storm-wrecked port-a-let.
The litter cleanup, supported primarily with donations from the private sector, is organized by the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, and is held in conjunction with The Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup.
• “Seed” Grant Blossoms into New Ecology and Marine Lab Additions
Roper Mountain Science Center
The South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium played an integral role in the development of the Marine Lab and the Ecology Lab at the Roper Mountain Science Center in Greenville, SC. With the help of “seed money” from the Consortium, the Center has grown by leaps and bounds. Last year, Roper Mountain Science Center had over 90,000 students attend lessons and over 20,000 attended lessons in the Natural Science Building, which also houses the two labs.
The Center is in the process of developing education exhibits in the labs and projects that in the coming year 8,000 students and teachers will attend formal lessons in the marine lab. Each lesson will focus on the South Carolina Science Curriculum Standards. Classes visit the Roper Center from 29 school districts from 14 counties. In addition, about 11,000 other children will see the Marine Lab at designated public times. The SCSG Consortium plans to continue to support the Roper Mountain Science Center and assist with new exhibits to enhance teaching skills and experiences.
The Roper Mountain Science Center is an opportunity for the Consortium to bring marine science to students in the “upstate.”
[pic] SECTION III: (Not required at this time.)
[pic] SECTION IV: APPENDICES
[pic] A. Management Team and Staff Composition
Management team composition and percentage of time the Sea Grant Director and management staff devoted to core Sea Grant activities:
|Management |Position |FTEs devoted |
|Team Member | |To Sea Grant |
|Rick DeVoe |Executive Director |0.5 |
|Elaine Knight |Assistant Director |0.5 |
|Denise Sanger |Assistant Director for Planning & Research | 0.65 |
|John Dwyer |Assistant to Director - Program Management |0.6 |
|Robert Bacon |Extension Program Leader |1.0 |
|Susan Ferris Hill |Communications Director |0.5 |
The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium currently employs or supports a total of 21 staff, including the Executive Director. Fourteen (14) staff are situated in state-approved FTE positions; the remainder (seven) are employed as Temporary Grant Employees (TGEs).
FTEs/TGEs (Full Time Employees = 12 man months) Devoted to Sea Grant
|Sea Grant Staffing |# of Individuals |# of FTEs/TGEs |# of FTEs/TGEs |
| | |Funded by Sea Grant |Funded by Non-Sea Grant dollars |
| | |Dollars | |
|Administration/Mgmt. |8 |4.30 |3.70 |
|Communications |4 |1.00 |3.00 |
|Extension |7 |3.50 |1.50 |
|Education |2 |0.25 |1.75 |
|TOTAL |21 |9.05 |9.95 |
S.C. Sea Grant Consortium Staff Listing
Administration
M. Richard (Rick) DeVoe Executive Director
Elaine L. Knight Assistant Director
Denise Sanger, Ph.D. Assistant Director For Planning and Research
John J. Dwyer Assistant to the Director for Program Management
Chris McMillan Accountant
Sara Roth Administrative Coordinator I
Annette Dunmeyer Administrative Assistant
Carolyn Robinson Administrative Specialist II
Communications
Susan Ferris Hill Director of Communications
John Tibbetts Public Information Coordinator-Science Writer/Editor
Patty Snow Art Director/Web Designer
Carl Turner Public Information Specialist-Graphic Design
Sea Grant Extension Program
Robert H. Bacon* Extension Program Leader
(Vacant) Coastal Hazards Specialist
(Vacant)* Coastal Environmental Quality Specialist
April Turner Coastal Communities Specialist
Amber Von Harten Coastal Fisheries Specialist
Jack Whetstone* Marine Aquaculture/Ponds Specialist
Clay McCoy Coastal Processes Specialist
(Vacant) Coastal Climate Change Specialist
Sea Grant Education Program
Lundie Spence Marine Education Specialist/COSEE-SE Director
Elizabeth Rogers Marine Education Specialist (P/T)
Coastal Ocean Observations (SECOORA)
Susannah Sheldon SECOORA Program Coordinator
Parker Lumpkin SECOORA Program Manager
*Employees of Clemson University Extension Service.
[pic] B. Program Development Projects (2005-2006)
Please note that the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium does not require a non-federal match for Sea Grant development projects.
P/M-2A - College of Charleston Graduate Program in Marine Biology Student Research Colloquium (printing of abstracts) – Erin Burge, College of Charleston -- $225
P/M-2B - Regional Oyster Workshop Support – Jack Whetstone, SCSGC and Clemson University -- $1,490
P/M-2C - International Conference on Shellfish Restoration - Support -- $6,000
P/M-2D - Support for the Regional SC/GA National Ocean Sciences Bowl – Anne Miller, Belle Baruch Institute, University of South Carolina -- $2,000
P/M-2E - Meeting Support for the National Shellfisheries Association Annual Meeting – Sandy Shumway, University of Connecticut -- $2,000
P/M-2F - “Marine Eco-genomics” Workshop Support for Regional Research Partnership Assessment Workshops – Eric Lacy, Medical University of South Carolina -- $2,500
P/M-2G - “SC Sea Grant Katherine Sullivan Science and Engineering Fellowship” Student Award – Justin Babcock, College of Charleston -- $3,500
P/M-2H - Research support for “Functional Relationships (Coupling) Between Epiphytic Microalgae and Food Webs in a Salt Marsh” – Richard Zingmark, University of South Carolina -- $67,160
P/M-2I - Support for Marine Education Workshops through the S.C. Marine Educators Association – Stephenson, SCMEA (South Carolina Marine Educators) -- $1,100
P/M-2J - Research support for “Utilization of Dissolved Organic Phosphorus by Phytoplankton in Winyah Bay, SC” – Tammi Richardson, PhD, University of South Carolina -- $6,000
P/M-2K - Research support for “Testing a New Method to Assess Fluctuations in Sea Level Along the South Carolina Coast: Use of Palynomorphic Signatures to Identify Changes in Positions of Juncus roemerianus High Level Salt Marshes Over Time” – Arthur Cohen, PhD, University of South Carolina -- $7,864
[pic] C. Partnerships (Consortium-wide)
National:
▪ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
o NOAA National Ocean Service
▪ Coastal Services Center
▪ NCCOS-Coastal Ocean Program
▪ Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research
▪ Hollings Marine Laboratory
▪ National Estuarine Research Reserve Program
• ACE Basin NERR
• North Inlet/Winyah Bay NERR
o NOAA Oceanic and Atmospheric Research
▪ National Sea Grant College Program
▪ Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratories
▪ Hurricane Research Division
▪ National Severe Storms Laboratory
o NOAA National Weather Service
▪ WFO-Charleston
o NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration
o NOAA Office of Education
▪ U.S. Department of the Interior
o United States Geological Survey
▪ Coastal and Marine Geology Program
▪ Water Resources - SC
▪ National Science Foundation
▪ U.S. Department of Agriculture
o USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service
o Natural Resources and Conservation Service
o Southern Regional Aquaculture Center
o Farm Service Agency
o Risk Management Agency
o Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service [CSREES]
o Foreign Agriculture Service
▪ U.S. Department of Homeland Security
o U.S. Coast Guard – Charleston
▪ U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
▪ U.S. National Park Service
o Fort Sumter
o Fort Moultrie
▪ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
o Region IV - Southeast
o Office of Policy, Economics and Innovation
▪ U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
o Charleston District
▪ U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (Region IV)
▪ National Federation of Regional Associations for Coastal Ocean Observing (NFRA)
▪ Ocean.US
▪ National Marine Educators Association
▪ National Non-Point Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) Network
▪ National Ocean Sciences Bowl (CORE)
Regional:
▪ South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
▪ Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
▪ Wild American Shrimp Inc.
▪ Southern Shrimp Alliance
▪ Georgia Department of Natural Resources
▪ Southeast Universities Research Association
▪ SouthEast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA)
▪ SouthEast Atlantic Coastal Ocean Observing System (SEACOOS)
▪ SouthEast Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE-SE)
▪ Carolinas Coastal Ocean Observing and Prediction System (Caro-COOPS)
▪ Southeast Phytoplankton Monitoring Network
▪ Southern Building Code Council International
▪ Ocean Sciences Bowl, South Carolina/Georgia Region (Annual)
State and Local:
▪ South Carolina Forestry Commission
▪ South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
o Office of Fisheries Management
o Waddell Mariculture Center
o Land and Water Resources Division
o Flood Program
o Law Enforcement Division
▪ S.C. Department of Education
o Office of the Science Coordinator
▪ S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control
o Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
o Bureau of Water
o Trident and Waccamaw Health Districts
▪ S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism
o Myrtle Beach State Park
o Huntington State Park
o Edisto Beach State Park
o Hunting Island State Park
o Givhans Ferry State Park
▪ S.C. Emergency Management Division
▪ S.C. State Ports Authority
▪ S.C. Soil and Water Conservation Service
▪ S.C. Task Group on Harmful Algae
▪ S.C. Center for Technological Innovation
▪ S.C. Government Webmasters Association
▪ S.C. Information Resources Council
▪ Cities/Towns in South Carolina (selected)
o City of Charleston
o City of Folly Beach
o City of Georgetown
o City of Hardeeville
o City of Isle of Palms
o City of Myrtle Beach
o City of North Myrtle Beach
o City of Surfside Beach
o Town of Bluffton
o Town of Edisto Beach
o Town of Hilton Head Island
o Town of Kiawah Island
o Town of Pawleys Island
o Town of Ridgeland
o Town of Sullivan's Island
o Town of Yemassee
▪ S.C. Association of Counties
▪ Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments
▪ Lowcountry Council of Governments
▪ Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments
▪ County Governments in South Carolina (selected)
o Beaufort
o Berkeley
o Charleston
o Colleton
o Dorchester
o Georgetown
o Horry
o Jasper
▪ School Districts
o Berkeley County School District (Project Inquiry; COASTeam)
o Charleston County School District (Office of the Science Curriculum Coordinator; Project Inquiry; COASTeam)
o Colleton County School District (COASTeam)
o Dorchester County School District (COASTeam)
▪ Public schools in coastal South Carolina communities (>180)
▪ Lowcountry Estuarium
▪ South Carolina Aquarium
▪ Jasper Soil and Water Conservation District
▪ South Carolina Science Council
▪ 113 Calhoun Street Foundation
▪ Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission
▪ Caw Caw Interpretative Center
▪ Folly Beach County Park
▪ Lowcountry Science Fair
▪ S.C. Marine Educators Association
▪ Leadership South Carolina
NGOs:
▪ Ashley Scenic River Advisory Council
▪ Beaufort County Open Land Trust
▪ Beaufort County Water Quality Task Force
▪ Boy Scouts of America, Coastal Carolina Council
▪ Charleston Homeownership Center
▪ DeeDee Paschal Barrier Island Trust
▪ Friends of Hunting Island
▪ Friends of the Edisto
▪ Friends of the Rivers
▪ Girl Scouts of Carolina Low Country
▪ Keep South Carolina Beautiful
▪ Low Country Institute (Spring Island, S.C.)
▪ Maritime Association of the Port of Charleston
▪ Noisette Foundation
▪ Palmetto Bluff Conservancy
▪ S.C. African-American Heritage Council
▪ S.C. Aquaculture Association
▪ S.C. Aquatic Plant Management Society
▪ S.C. Association for Hazard Mitigation
▪ S.C. Coastal Conservation League
▪ S.C. Chapter of the American Planning Association
▪ S.C. Community Development Association
▪ S.C. Crab Industry Association
▪ S.C. Downtown Development Association/Community Builders
▪ S.C. Economic Developers Association
▪ S.C. Marine Association
▪ S.C. Municipal Association
▪ S.C. Nature-Based Tourism Association
▪ S.C. Seafood Alliance
▪ S.C. Shellfish Association
▪ S.C. Shrimp Growers Association
▪ S.C. Shrimpers Association
▪ S.C. Steering Committee of the Southern Passages Project
▪ S.C. Wildlife Federation
▪ Spring Island Trust
▪ The Nature Conservancy
▪ Trust for Public Land
▪ Upstate Forever
▪ Ducks Unlimited
▪ Historic Ricefields Association
▪ Winyah Bay Foundation
International:
▪ Aquatic Plant Management Society (International
▪ International Conference on Shellfish Restoration
▪ International Gullee-Geechee Coalition
▪ The Ocean Conservancy
Industry/Business:
▪ S.C. Chamber of Commerce
▪ Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce
▪ Applied Phytogenetics, Inc.
▪ Applied Technology and Management, Inc.
▪ BASF
▪ Berkeley Electric Cooperative
▪ BMW Manufacturing Corp.
▪ BP Cooper River Plant
▪ Bull’s Bay Seafood
▪ Coastal Discovery Museum
▪ Coastal Expeditions
▪ Coastal Landscape Construction
▪ Dewees Island Development
▪ Duke Power Company
▪ Gold Kist, Inc.
▪ Great Bay Farms (NH)
▪ Griffin BioSafe Systems
▪ Hilex-Poly, Inc.
▪ Institute of Business and Home Safety (IBHS)
▪ Island Fresh Seafood
▪ Lockheed Corporation
▪ Lowcountry Seafood, Inc.
▪ Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
▪ Marine Terminals of S.C.
▪ Mistyvale Crawfish Farm
▪ Noisette Company
▪ Palmetto Aquaculture Corporation
▪ Paradise Seafarm
▪ Piggly Wiggly Carolina Company
▪ Professional Lake Management, Inc.
▪ Ripley’s Aquarium
▪ Santee Cooper
▪ SCANA Corporation
▪ SePro
▪ Sonoco Products, Inc.
▪ Southland Fisheries Corporation
▪ Swimming Rock Fish & Shrimp Farm
▪ Thickwater Clam Farm
▪ Universal Data Solutions
Academic Institutions:
▪ University of South Carolina
▪ Clemson University
▪ South Carolina State University
▪ Coastal Carolina University
▪ The Citadel
▪ College of Charleston
▪ Medical University of South Carolina
▪ S.C. Sustainable Universities Initiative
▪ University of Florida
▪ Florida International University
▪ Florida Gulf Coast University
▪ VIMS
▪ Dartmouth University
▪ SUNY-Albany
▪ University of NC - Chapel Hill
▪ Georgia Institute of Technology
▪ North Carolina State University
▪ Skidaway Institute of Oceanography
▪ Texas A&M University
▪ University of Connecticut Extension Service
▪ University of Georgia (Research Foundation)
▪ University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth
▪ University of New Hampshire
▪ University of North Carolina – Wilmington
▪ University of Texas – El Paso
Sea Grant Programs (Direct Interactions):
▪ Georgia Sea Grant College Program
▪ North Carolina Sea Grant Program
▪ Florida Sea Grant College Program
▪ Virginia Sea Grant College Program
▪ South Atlantic Sea Grant Fisheries Extension and Enhancement committee (NC, SC, GA, and FL Sea Grant College Programs)
▪ National Sea Grant Fisheries Extension and Enhancement committee (reps from each of the SG regions and the NSGO)
▪ National Sea Grant Strategic Initiative, Fisheries Theme Team
Additional Organizations:
▪ Murrells Inlet Fishing Clubs
▪ Hilton Head Sportfishing Club
▪ Georgia Aquarium
▪ North Carolina Aquarium
▪ Discovery Place
▪ Fernbank Science Center
▪ Kiawah Island Community Association
▪ Osprey Point Golf Resort
▪ Edisto Beach Community
▪ Dunes Properties®
▪ Good Hope Plantation and Corporation
▪ Turkey Hill Plantation
▪ Okatee Club
▪ Fife Plantation
▪ Kinghorn Insurance Services
▪ Spring Hill Plantation
▪ Nada Williams Realty
▪ Copper Station
[pic] D. Leveraged Funds
In FY2005-2006, the Consortium secured about $4.2 million in extramural, non-core Sea Grant (competitive and otherwise) grant funding from non-state sources – approximately 70% of the Consortium’s total budget. The grants are listed below – those in italics are new grants secured during the reporting period:
Strategic Goal 2 - Coastal-Ocean Processes
▪ “Southeast Atlantic Coastal Ocean Observing System – Initial Implementation” – Office of Naval Research (through the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill) - $120,260 – September 1, 2005 to August 31, 2006 (Year 4 of 4) – M. Richard DeVoe and L. Lundie Spence (S.C. Sea Grant Consortium) and Robert H. Bacon (S.C. Sea Grant Extension Program).
▪ “Demo 10: SouthEast Coastal Ocean Observations Regional Association” - Southeastern Universities Research Association – SCOOP - $220,000 – September 1, 2004 to August 31, 2006 – M. Richard DeVoe and Sandy Bernard (S.C. Sea Grant Consortium).
▪ “SouthEast Coastal Ocean Observations Regional Association (SECOORA): Building a Regional Association Framework for the Coastal Ocean Observing System of the Southeastern United States” – NOAA Coastal Services Center - $379,549 – October 1, 2005 to September 30, 2006 – NOAA Coastal Services Center - (Year 1 of 3) – M. Richard DeVoe and Sandy Bernard (S.C. Sea Grant Consortium).
▪ “Enhancing Communications and Coordinating Outreach Activities throughout the IOOS Community: The NFRA Contribution” - NOAA Coastal Services Center - $24,995 – August 1, 2005 to July 31, 2006 (Year 1 of 1) – M. Richard DeVoe (S.C. Sea Grant Consortium).
▪ “Cooperative Coastal Processes Specialist Extension Position” – Coastal Carolina University – $36,015 – January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005 (continuing) – M. Richard DeVoe (S.C. Sea Grant Consortium).
Strategic Goal 3 - Ecosystem Dynamics
▪ “Expanding Existing Surveillance Systems to Include Pfeisteria, Other Harmful Algal Blooms, and Marine Toxins in South Carolina” – Centers for Disease Control - $523,890 – September 1, 2005 to August 31, 2006 (Year 3 of 3) – M. Richard DeVoe (S.C. Sea Grant Consortium). Involves faculty and students from Marine Resources Division-SCDNR, University of South Carolina, S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, NOAA-NOS Charleston Laboratory, and Medical University of South Carolina.
▪ “Sea Grant Studies of Hypoxia in Long Bay, South Carolina” – S.C. DHEC-Ocean and Coastal Resources Management - $159,275 – January 1, 2005 to February 28, 2007 – George Voulgaris (University of South Carolina) and Eric Koepfler et al. (Coastal Carolina University)
Strategic Goal 4 - Coastal Natural Hazards
▪ “South Carolina Coastal Erosion Study - Phase II” - U.S. Geological Survey - $450,000 - September 1, 2005 to August 31, 2006 (Year 5 of 6) - M. Richard DeVoe (S.C. Sea Grant Consortium). Involves faculty from Coastal Carolina University, University of South Carolina, College of Charleston and Georgia Institute of Technology.
Strategic Goal 5 - Emerging Technologies
▪ “Cooperative Program in Fisheries Molecular Biology (FISHTEC)” - NOAA National Ocean Service - $380,700 - September 1, 2005 to August 31, 2006 (Year 13 of 14) - M. Richard DeVoe (S.C. Sea Grant Consortium). Involves faculty from the University of South Carolina and scientists from SCDNR-Marine Resources Research Institute.
Strategic Goal 6 - Marine Aquaculture and Fisheries
▪ “High Rate Algal Systems for Sustainable Marine Bivalve Seed and Shrimp Production” - NOAA National Sea Grant College Program - $40,000 – July 1, 2005 to August 31, 2006 - David E. Brune (Clemson University).
▪ “S.C. Sea Grant Fisheries Extension Enhancement Program” – NOAA National Sea Grant College Program - $78,254 – May 1, 2005 to February 28, 2006 (Year 2 of 5) – M. Richard DeVoe (S.C. Sea Grant Consortium) and Robert H. Bacon (S.C. Sea Grant Extension Program).
▪ “Facilitation of Vibrio vulnificus Risk Management Plan: Workshop for Educators, State and Federal Agency Representatives, and Shellfish Industry – Online CME Course for Nurses and Dieticians” – NOAA National Sea Grant College Program - $126,050 – June 1, 2005 to May 31, 2006 (Year 1 of 1) - Ken Moore (Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference).
▪ “Gulf Oyster Industry Program: A Training Workshop on Pigment-Based Detection of the Harmful Dinoflagellate Karina brevis” – NOAA National Sea Grant College Program - $29,048 – June 1, 2005 to May 31, 2006 – (Year 1 of 1) - Tammi L. Richardson and James L. Pinckney (University of South Carolina).
▪ “South Carolina Cooperative Fisheries Research Grant Program” – NOAA Fisheries through the S.C. Department of Natural Resources – $292,500 - (Year 1 of 2) – M. Richard DeVoe (S.C. Sea Grant Consortium).
Strategic Goal 7 - Coastal Communities and Economies
▪ “Urbanization and Southeastern Estuarine Systems (USES)” - NOAA Coastal Ocean Program - $957,234 - August 1, 2005 to July 31, 2006 (Year 16 of 16) - F. John Vernberg (University of South Carolina).
Strategic Goal 8 - Public Awareness and Outreach
▪ “Sea Grant Abstracts” - NOAA National Sea Grant College Program - $95,000 - March 1, 2005 to February 28, 2006 (Final Year) – Frank Shephard (Woods Hole Database, Inc.).
▪ “Support for Beach Sweep/River Sweep '05 Activities” - Private Cash Donations - ~$20,000 - September 2005 – Susan Ferris Hill (S.C. Sea Grant Consortium).
Strategic Goal 9 - Marine Education and Training
▪ “Southeastern Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE-SE): A Systematic Approach to Forming Ocean Science Education Partnerships” – National Science Foundation (with partial funding provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) – $500,000 – September 1, 2005 to August 31, 2006 (Year 1 of 5) – L. Lundie Spence (S.C. Sea Grant Consortium).
▪ “Sea Grant Knauss Fellowships (2)” - NOAA National Sea Grant College Program - $82,000 - March 1, 2006 to February 28, 2007 - M. Richard DeVoe (S.C. Sea Grant Consortium).
[pic] E. Publications
E.1. Listing of research publications (e.g., journal articles, technical reports, articles in-review, in-press, and planned):
• Research Publications - 2004-05
Kelley, B.J., D.L. Tufford, J.T. Morris, L. Hardison. in prep. Macrophyte community succession in former rice fields on the Cooper River, South Carolina.
Lewitus, A.J., L.B. Schmidt, L.J. Mason, J.W. Kempton, S.B. Wilde, J.L. Wolny,B.J. Williams, K.C. Hayes, S.N. Hymel, C.J. Keppler, and A.H. Ringwood. 2003. Harmful Algal Blooms in South Carolina Residential and Golf Course Ponds. Population and Environment 24:387-413.
Lewitus, A., Hayes, K., Kempton, J., Mason, L., Wilde, S., Williams, B. and Wolny, J. 2004. Prevalence of raphidophyte blooms in South Carolina brackish ponds associated with housing and golf courses. In: Harmful Algae 2002, by K.A. Steidinger, J.A. Landsberg, C.R. Tomas and G.A. Vargo (eds.). Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Institute of Oceanography, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, St. Petersburg, FL.
McGuire, Sarah, "Facilitating the Integration of Marine Science into the Curriculum Through Product Development for K-8 Classrooms", College of Charleston Graduate School, Masters of Environmental Studies Program (Thesis)
Smith, T. I. J., W. E. Jenkins, M. R. Denson and M. R. Collins. 2004. Increasing Red Drum Abundance in South Carolina: Monitor, Regulate and Stock Hatchery Fish. Propagated Fish in Resource Management. American Fisheries Society Symposium 44: 77-86.
Tufford, D.L., Kelley, B.J., Sundberg, K., Joyner, D. in prep. The effects of macrophyte community successional state on water quality dynamics in former rice fields on the Cooper River, South Carolina.
• Research Publications - 2005-06
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. 2006. The Importance of Habitat Created by Shellfish and Shell Beds Along the Atlantic Coast of the U.S. Prepared by Coen, L.D., and R. Grizzle, J. Lowery and K.T. Paynter, Jr, contributors, MRD Educational Report number of 21.
Blanvillain, G., J.A. Schwenter, R.D. Day, S.J. Christopher, B. Roumillat, and D.W. Owens. In review at NIST. The use of diamondback terrapins, Malaclemys terrapin, as sentinel species for monitoring mercury pollution of estuarine systems in South Carolina and Georgia. Planned for submission to Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry in June 2006.
Blanvillain, G., J.A. Schwenter, J. Keller, D.W. Owens, M. Peden-Adams. "Impact of mercury pollution on diamondback terrapin health". Planned for Aquatic Toxicology.
Bolton-Warberg, M., L.D. Coen and J. Weinstein, Accepted with revision. Acute toxicity and acetylcholinesterase inhibition in grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio) and oysters (Crassostrea virginica) exposed to the organophosphate dichlorvos: laboratory and field studies. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology.
Brumbaugh, R.D., M.W. Beck, L.Coen, L.Craig and P. Hicks. 2006. A Practitioners' Guide to the Design and Monitoring of Shellfish Restoration Projects: An Ecosystem Services Approach. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA. 28pp.
Burrows, F., J. M. Harding, R. Mann, R. Dame, and L. Coen. 2005. Restoration monitoring of oyster reefs. Pp. 175-249 in Thayer, G.W., D. H. Merkey, T. A. McTigue, F. M. Burrows, R. J. Salz, and P. F. Gayaldo, eds. Science-based Restoration Monitoring of Coastal Habitats. Volume Two: Tools for Monitoring Coastal Habitats. NOAA Coastal Ocean Program, Decision Analysis Series No 23. NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Silver Spring, MD, 628 pp. plus appendices.
Coen, L.C, D.H. Wilber and D. Knott. Accepted with revision. Development of intertidal oyster
reef resident communities in the southeastern United States: An analysis of natural and
constructed reefs over time. Marine Ecology Progress Series.
DeVoe, M.R. and G.S. Kleppel. 2006. The Effects of Changing Land Use Patterns on Marine Resources: Setting a Research Agenda to Facilitate Management. pp. 1-19 In: Kleppel, G.S., M.R. DeVoe and Mac Rawson, eds., Changing Land-use Patterns in the Coastal Zone: Managing Environmental Quality in Rapidly Developing Regions. Springer Series on Environmental Management. Springer-Verlag, New York, NY.
Grizzle, R.E., J.K. Greene, M.W. Luckenbach, and L.D. Coen. In press. A New In Situ Method for Measuring Seston Uptake by Suspension-Feeding Bivalve Molluscs. J. Shellf. Res.
Halfacre-Hitchcock, A., and D. R. Hitchcock. 2005. Critical Line Buffer Ordinances: Guidance for Coastal Communities. Water Quality Improvement and Community Enhancement Series, SCDHEC-OCRM, 72 pp.
Jenkins, W. E., T. I. J. Smith, M. R. Denson. 2004. Stocking red drum: lessons learned. Propagated Fish in Resource Management. American Fisheries Society Symposium 44:45-56.
Keppler, C.J., A.J. Lewitus, A.H. Ringwood, J. Hoguet and T. Staton. 2006. Sublethal cellular effects of short-term raphidophyte and brevetoxin exposures on the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. Marine Ecology Progress Series 312:141-147.
Keppler, C.J., J. Hoguet, K. Smith, A.H. Ringwood and A.J. Lewitus. 2005. Sublethal effects of the toxic alga Heterosigma akashiwo on the southeastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Harmful Algae 4: 275-285.
Kleppel, G.S., M.R. DeVoe and M.V.Rawson, 2006. Changing Land-use Patterns in the Coastal Zone: Managing Environmental Quality in Rapidly Developing Regions. Springer Series on Environmental Management. Springer-Verlag, New York, NY. 305 p.
Kleppel, G.S., D.E. Porter and M.R. DeVoe. 2006. Urban typology and estuarine biodiversity in rapidly developing coastal watersheds. pp. 69-89 In: Kleppel, G.S., M.R. DeVoe and Mac Rawson, eds., Changing Land-use Patterns in the Coastal Zone: Managing Environmental Quality in Rapidly Developing Regions. Springer Series on Environmental Management. Springer-Verlag, New York, NY.
Lewitus, A.J. 2006. Osmotrophy in marine microalgae. In: “Algal cultures, analogues and blooms”, D.V. Subba Rao (ed.). Science Publishers. Enfield, NH.
Lewitus, A.J., D.L. White, R.G. Tymowski, M.E. Geesey, S.N. Hymel and P.A. Noble. 2005. Adapting the CHEMTAX method for assessing phytoplankton taxonomic composition in southeastern U.S. estuaries. Estuaries 28: 158-170.
Long, M., and R.J. Feller. Immunological evidence suggests absence of top-down control of periwinkles by blue crabs in North Inlet, SC. Estuaries and Coasts (in prep.)
Richardson, T.L. and J.L. Pinckney. 2004. Monitoring of the toxic dinoflagellate Karenia brevis using gyroxanthin-based detection methods. Journal of Applied Phycology 16: 315-328.
Schwenter, J., D. Point and R. Day. The effects of Trimethyltin contamination in the production of isotopic methlylmercury. for 2007 Planned for Aquatic Toxicology.
Smith, T.I.J., W.E. Jenkins, M.R. Denson, and M.R. Collins. 2004. Increasing red drum abundance in South Carolina: Monitor, Regulate, and Stock Hatchery Fish. Propagated Fish in Resource Management. American Fisheries Society Symposium 44:77-86.
Turner, A.L. 2006. Summary of Trends in Land Use Policy and Development in the Coastal Southeast. In, G.S. Kleppel, M.R. DeVoe, and M.V. Rawson (eds.), Land-Use Change in the Coastal Zone: managing environmental quality in rapidly growing regions. Springer-Verlag, New York.
Turner, A.L. 2005. Coastal Development Mini Grants. CCD Bulletin: Issues in Community Development, v.5 (May, 13 2005);1-2.
Turner, A. and H. Landry. Engaging South Carolina’s Local Decision Makers in Addressing Water Quality Issues: A Recap of the SC NEMO Program, May 2004, Public Policy and Practice (Vol 3, No. 1; ) (USC Institute for Public Service and Policy Reserch electronic journal)
Walters, K. and L. D. Coen. 2006. A comparison of statistical approaches to analyzing community convergence between natural and constructed oyster reefs. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 330: 81-95.
Weeks, B.E. and M.J. Childress. In preparation for summer 2006. Analysis of an individual-based model for blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) with stage-based modeling methods. To be submitted to Ecological Modeling.
Whetstone, J. 2006. Aquatic Weed Control in Irrigation Water Supplies. pp. 99-102. In: B. McCarty, ed., 2006 Pest Control Guidelines for Professional Turfgrass Managers. EC699, Clemson Univ. 114pp.
Wind Loads on Single-Family Dwellings in Suburban Terrain - Comparing Field and Wind Tunnel Simulation, Proceedings of the 2006 SEI Structures Congress Structural Engineering and Public Safety, May 18-20, 2006, St. Louis, MO.
Wind Load Determination Using Field Data and Wind Tunnel Studies on Residential Buildings, Proceedings of the Fourth LACCEI International Latin American and Caribbean Conference for Engineering and Technology (LACCET’2006) “Breaking Frontiers and Barriers in Engineering: Education, Research and Practice” 21-23 June 2006, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.
Young, R., B. Helmuth, L. Sautter, S. Stancyk. (in press) The Rising Tide Project: Changing How Researchers, Educators, and Students Work Together. Journal of Geoscience Education
• Extension Program Publications - 2005-2006
Byrd, J., S. Murphy and A. Von Harten. 2005. Morphometric Analysis of the Northern Subpopulation of Caretta caretta in South Carolina, USA. Marine Turtle Newsletter. 107:1-4.
Von Harten, A. 2005. Making the Fisheries Extension Connection: S.C. Sea Grant Extension and the S.C. Commercial Shrimp Industry Crisis. Proceedings from The American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. September 11-16, 2005. Anchorage, AK.
Von Harten, A. 2005. Field I.D. Guide: Common Trawl-caught Marine Fishes of the Lowcountry. S.C. Sea Grant Extension Program publication. August 2005. (Used in Master Naturalist course curriculum.)
Von Harten, A. 2005. Field I.D. Guide: Common Trawl-caught Marine Invertebrates of the Lowcountry. S.C. Sea Grant Extension Program publication. August 2005. (Used in Master Naturalist course curriculum.)
Von Harten, A. 2006. Making the Fisheries Extension Connection: S.C. Sea Grant Extension and the S.C. Commercial Shrimp Industry Crisis. Proceedings from the Annual joint meeting of the S.C. Fishery Worker’s Association and the S.C. Chapter of The American Fisheries Society. February 16-17, 2006. Charleston, SC.
Whetstone, J., L. Sturmer and M. Oesterling. 2005. Biology and Culture of the Northern Quahog Clam(Mercenaria mercenaria). Southern Regional Aquaculture Center Fact sheet Series Number 433.
The Jasper County Natural Resources Conservation Plan, written by the Jasper County Stakeholders, scheduled to be printed in July 2006 and distributed to Jasper County local government officials, stakeholder workshop participants, focus group members, and community residents.
Tools for Quality Growth Fact Sheet Series (tri-fold brochures) – The fact sheets focus on techniques and strategies for implementing quality growth to address some of the impacts related to coastal growth and development. Topics include the importance of riparian buffers, conservation easements, and alternative development patterns.
Southern Passages Web site (), Electronic Media – Contributed to the development of the Southern Passages web site. Responsible for compiling data and picture graphics and writing and organizing text for Southern Passages community description highlights, events, and festivals.
• Communications and Information Services – Publications and Products 2005-2006
The Consortium’s Communications and Information Services (CIS) program generated the following:
|CIS Statistics |Number |
|On-line Publication Requests |734 |
|General Publication Requests |4,125 |
|Media Requests |24 |
|Media Placements |181 |
|Number of Web site hits (see Figure below) |1,433,000 |
|Number of PDF Downloads of Consortium publications from National Sea |2,259 |
|Grant Library Web site | |
|Publications and Information Products (Note: Information products are |32 |
|listed below according to the strategic plan objectives they support) | |
Ecosystem Dynamics –
▪ 6th International Conference on Shellfish Restoration Abstracts and Selected Presentations CD (ICSR ’02)
▪ 7th International Conference on Shellfish Restoration Abstracts and Selected Presentations CD (ICSR ’04)
▪ SCHAB Review, Vol. 5, No. 3, Spring 2005, “Volunteer Monitoring Network Expands to Ga., N.C.”
▪ Logo for Coastal Waccamaw Stormwater Education Consortium.
▪ Bioretention Design Workshop brochure
▪ Blue-Green Algae fact sheet
▪ Pfiesteria piscicida fact sheet
▪ Advertisement for the joint Stormwater Management & Erosion - Sediment Control Conferences booklet.
▪ 2006 International Conference on Shellfish Restoration First Announcement.
▪ Co-produced ID card on “Beach Vitex: Kudzu of the Coast” with NC Sea Grant
Climate and Hazards –
▪ Hazards display for “Solutions to Coastal Disasters” conference held May 8-11, 2005.
▪ Coastal Heritage, Vol. 20, No. 2, Fall 2005, “Keeping Watch: Technologies Track Forces of the Sea”
▪ Input to SCDHEC/OCRM for text revisions to “Purchasing Coastal Real Estate” brochure.
Sustainable Economic Development –
▪ Coastal Heritage, Vol. 19, No. 4, Spring 2005, “Ancient Tools? Searching for the First Americans”
▪ Coastal Heritage Vol. 20, No. 1, Summer 2005, “Old Cities, New Life”
▪ Coastal Heritage, Vol. 20, No. 3 Winter 2005-06, “Building Green: A New Path”
Marine Education –
▪ Beach Sweep/River Sweep shirt order forms
▪ Beach Sweep/River Sweep t-shirts
▪ Beach Sweep/River Sweep Frisbees
▪ Beach Sweep/River Sweep mesh bags
▪ Coastal Heritage Curriculum Connection, a companion teacher activity guide for Coastal Heritage, Vol. 20, No. 2, Fall 2005, “Keeping Watch: Technologies Track Forces of the Sea”
▪ Coastal Heritage Curriculum Connection, a companion teacher activity guide for Coastal Heritage, Vol. 20, No. 3 Winter 2005-06, “Building Green: A New Path”
Building visibility and support for S.C. Sea Grant’s program and activities –
▪ Eight electronic forms for SCSGC FY06-08 Request for Proposals (redesign)
▪ FY06-08 Request for Proposals to html for posting on SCSGC Web site
▪ Program Advisory Board name placards
▪ S.C. Sea Grant 25th Anniversary Celebration Invitations
▪ S.C. Sea Grant 25th Anniversary timeline brochure
▪ S.C. Sea Grant 25th Anniversary program
▪ S.C. Sea Grant 25th Anniversary guest nametags
▪ Web ADA Compliance Transition Plan Project Summary
▪ Winter 2006 edition of Inside Sea Grant newsletter
Building visibility and support for the
National Sea Grant network –
▪ Hurricane portal on the HazNet site ()
Figure 1. Annual trends for total hits and unique visits to the SCSGC Web site.
[pic]
• E.2. Total Number of Publications (research, education, extension, and communications):
|Category |Number of |
| |Publications |
|Peer-reviewed journal articles & book chapters |15 |
|Technical reports |5 |
|Proceedings and symposia (research) |7 |
|Thesis and Dissertations (research) |16 |
|Videos/CDs/DVDs | 4 |
|Handbooks/manuals/guides |7 |
|Press releases |14 |
|Newsletters and periodicals (# of issues) |9 |
|Presentations (research and extension) |91 |
|Publications planned (research) |11 |
|Web sites (internal and external) |8 |
[pic] F. Students Supported
|Category |Number of |Number of Continuing |Number of |
| |New Students |Students |Degrees Awarded |
|Knauss Fellowship |0 |NA |NA |
|Industry Fellowship |0 |0 |NA |
|NMFS/SG Fellowship |0 |0 |NA |
|State Fellowship |0 |0 |NA |
|Coastal Mgt. Fellows |1 |NA |NA |
|SG Supported MS/MA |15 |6 |13 |
|Students | | | |
|SG Supported PhD |1 |4 |1 |
|Students | | | |
|SG Supported Juris |1 |1 |2 |
|Doctor Students | | | |
|SG Supported Under- |8 |4 |6 |
|graduate Students | | | |
|Other (e.g., Interns) |3 |NA |1 |
|TOTAL |22 |11 |22 |
[pic] G: Program Awards and Honors
• Staff Awards and Recognition
▪ Clemson University Board of Trustees Award for Staff Excellence (2006 – Awarded to Bob Bacon)
▪ National Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (2006 – Awarded to Jack Whetstone)
▪ Distinguished Service Award - South Carolina Association of County Agricultural Agents (Awarded to Jack Whetstone)
▪ Superior Outreach Programming Award - South Atlantic Sea Grant Extension Region
(August 2005 – Awarded to Jack Whetstone)
▪ Certificate of Appreciation - South Carolina Aquatic Plant Management Council (Awarded to Jack Whetstone)
▪ Appointment to the South Carolina State Grievance Committee (2005 – Knight)
▪ Appointment to the Board of Directors of the Noisette Foundation (2006 – DeVoe)
▪ Appointment to the Board of Directors of the Slocum-Lunz Foundation (2006 – DeVoe)
▪ Appointment as a member of the Federal-State Task Team, NSTC Subcommittee on Integrated Management of Ocean Resources (SIMOR) to participate in the development of the federal Ocean Research Priorities Plan (ORPP) (2006 – DeVoe)
▪ Appointment to the Board of Trustees of the DeeDee Paschal Barrier Island Trust (2005 – DeVoe)
• Publication Awards
▪ Coastal Heritage - 2005 Gold Award from the MarCom Creative Award – 2005
▪ Coastal Heritage - 2005-06 Excellence Award in Society of Technical Communication international publications competition)
▪ Coastal Heritage - 2005-06 Distinguished Award in Society for Technical Communication Carolina chapter publications competition
▪ Coastal Heritage - 2006 Grand Award in Low Budget Publication category in the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District III competition
▪ Coastal Heritage - 2006 Award of Excellence in Other Magazines category in the CASE District III competition
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Overhead photos of 3 year old (top) and 2 year old (bottom) reefs at Palmetto Islands County Park.
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