We compared nekton use of Vallisneria americana Michx. (submerged aquatic vegetation, SAV) with marsh shoreline vegetation and subtidal nonvegetated bottom (SNB) using a 1-m2 drop sampler in the oligohaline area of Barataria Bay, Louisiana. Mean densities of most abundant species were significantly different among six habitat types.

Short-term growth rates were estimated and compared for juvenile penaeid shrimps and other species held in field enclosures or laboratory microcosms located in various estuarine habitats of the northern Gulf of Mexico.

We examined the effects of a hydrologically restrictive transportation corridor on the nursery use of various habitats in the Mobile-Tensaw River delta (MTD). We compared nekton assemblage structure in fall 2009 and spring 2010 among 3 locations and 3 major habitat types (marsh, submerged aquatic vegetation SAV dominated by Vallisneria americana, and shallow non-vegetated bottom SNB) commonly found throughout the MTD using 1 m2 drop samplers.

We deployed 30 Pop-off Archival Transmitting (PAT) satellite tags on nesting loggerhead turtles between 7 July and 11 July 2010 at Xel-Ha, XCacel, and Playa Aventuras in Quintana Roo, Mexico. The tags were programmed to transmit once a month, if possible, and then, after 1 year, to release itself from the turtle and transmit continuously for the remaining battery life. The tags also were programmed to release prematurely if the turtle/tag maintained a constant depth for more than 1 week. After one year, 29 of the 30 tags had transmitted at least once.

Pilot studies are being conducted for transect surveys and mark-recapture to assess long term relative abundance

Satellite tags were deployed on kemps ridley and loggerhead turtles to assess dive behavior to improve estimates of abundance in aerial surveys

Studies are being conducted for transect surveys and mark-recapture to assess long term relative abundance

The objectives of this project are to use novel satellite tracking methods to provide improved estimation of threats at foraging areas and along migration routes for oceanic stage sea turtles in the Northeast Distant Region of the Atlantic Ocean (NED) and to characterize the in-water habitats used by small, oceanic stage loggerheads (Caretta caretta) so that we better understand the features that likely define their nursery habitats and the potential risks and hazards to the smallest life stages of sea turtle.

Data from strandings included as part of the UME. All data are included in the Tech Memo.

Data Contains info on Fishing Communities