Striped Bass Egg Abundance and Viability in the Roanoke River, North Carolina, and Young-of-Year Survivorship, for 1993

Completion Report to Virginia Power, Innsbrook Technical Center, Glenn Allen, Virginia. ICMR Contribution series, NO. ICMR-95-02 Institute for Coastal and Marine Resources, East Carolina University and National Biological Survey, South Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Clemson, South CarolinaStriped bass spawning activity in the Roanoke River, North Carolina, was documented in 1993 by sampling for eggs at Barnhill's Landing (River Mile 117), which is just downstream of the spawning grounds between the towns of Halifax (RM 120) and Weldon (RM 130). Egg sampling was conducted every four hours near the surface and bottom from 16 April to 16 June 1993. Water quality and changes in instream flow caused by water releases from Roanoke Rapids Reservoir at RM 137 also were monitored every four hours. During the summer and fall, age-O (young-of-year) striped bass were collected by beach seine in western Albemarle Sound, and by trawl surveys in western and central Albemarle Sound. All fish retained in samples were weighed, measured, and aged by counting rings on otoliths. The date of spawn for each fish was backcalculated, and each fish was assigned to a daily cohort for calculations of survival rates relative to daily egg production estimates.Virginia Power, Innsbrook Technical Center, Glenn Allen, Virgini

Benthic Biocriteria Assessment of the Lower Roanoke River, North Carolina: A Final Report to Weyerhaeuser Paper Company

ICMR Contribution Series, NO. ICMR-93-03Recent changes in environmental monitoring procedures of industrial activities suggest that future environmental assessments will be made using biocriteria methodology. Benthic macroinvertebrates have been the most often used group of organisms in assessing water quality. This study was conducted to determine the present composition of the benthic macroinvertebrate community and to evaluate the results using several biological indices that will likely form the basis for the development of biocriteria.Weyerhaeuser Paper Company, Forestry Research Station, New Bern, N

Roanoke River Water Flow Committee Report for 1988 and 1989

NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFC-256. ICMR Tech Report 90-04. This Memorandum series is used for documentation and timely communication of preliminary results, interim reports, or special-purpose information. Although the memoranda are not subject to complete formal review, they are expected to reflect sound professional work.A committee of 20 representatives of State and Federal agencies and university scientists was formed in 1988 to gather information on all resources of the lower Roanoke River watershed in North Carolina and to recommend a water flow regime that would be mutually beneficial to the resources and their users. The Committee has a combined record of experience on the ecology and fisheries of the Roanoke watershed and Albemarle Sound totaling over 200 years. The purpose of this Flow Report for 1988 and 1989 is to document hydrological events and reservoir operations for those years in context with field research efforts and observations on a number of watershed resources: striped bass, wildlife, agriculture, and timber. Following are summaries of the major sections contained in this report. Each is presented as a separate paragraph.National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administratio

Abundance and Viability of Striped Bass Eggs Spawned in the Roanoke River, North Carolina in 1991

Report No. APES 93-04. ICMR Tech Report 93-04. The research on which the report is based was financed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, through the Albemarle-Pamlico Study. Contents of the publication do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute their endorsement by the United States or North Carolina Government.Striped bass spawning activity in the Roanoke River, North Carolina, was documented in 1991 by sampling for eggs at Barnhill’s Landing (River Mile 117), which is just downstream of the spawning grounds between the towns of Halifax (RM 120) and Weldon (RM 130). Egg sampling was conducted every four hours near the surface and bottom from 15 April to 14 June. Water quality and changes in instream flow caused by water releases from Roanoke Rapids Reservoir at RM 137 also were monitored every four hours. Results were compared to similar studies funded by the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine Study during the springs of 1988, 1989, and 1990. Objectives were: 1) to continue the uninterrupted egg study data base of W.W. Hassler beginning in 1959; 2) to identify potential sources of bias in Hassler’s egg production estimates; and 3) relate striped bass spawning activity to operation of the Roanoke Rapids hydroelectric dam upstream.Institute for Coastal and Marine Resources, and Department of Biology, East Carolina Universit

Abundance and Viability of Striped Bass Eggs Spawned in Roanoke River, North Carolina, in 1988

Project No. APES 90-03. ICMR Tech Report 89-03. This research on which the report is based was financed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, through the Albemarle-Pamlico Study. Contents of the publication do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute their endorsement by the United States or North Carolina Government.Sampling to estimate production and viability of striped bass eggs was conducted at Pollock’s Ferry on the Roanoke River, North Carolina, from 10 April to 7 June 1988. Samples were taken by towing paired nets at the surface for five minutes every four hours for 60 days in the manner established and used by W.W. Hassler since 1959. A total of 20,144 eggs were collected in surface nets: first eggs appeared in samples on 12 April and continued sporadically until 2 June) when the last eggs were collected. Estimated striped bass egg production in the Roanoke River for 1988 was 2,082,130,728. The major portion of eggs was collected in one large peak (11-12 May) arid three minor peaks (15-16 May, 20 May, and 24-25 May). With the exception of 1986, egg production in 1988 was the highest estimate since 1975. Viability for eggs in 1988 was estimated at 89%, the highest estimate since 1972. Primary egg production was observed after water temperatures reached 18 C. The majority (71.8%) of the eggs collected ranged between 20 and 28 hours old. Nearly 13% were between 10 and 18 hours old, and 14% were 30 to 38 hours old. Fewer than one percent were less than 10 hours old. About 79% of the eggs were collected at water temperatures between 18 and 21.9 C; greatest viability was at 20 C and higher. Nearly all eggs (99.5%) were collected at water velocities between 60 and 99.9 cm/ second. Approximately 85% of all eggs were collected in water with dissolved oxygen values ranging between 6.0 and 7.9 mg/L. Only eight percent of the eggs were collected in waters with pH values less than 7.0. Relative steadiness of water discharge from the Roanoke Rapids Dam during spawning season is believed responsible for stable water quality during the period.Institute for Coastal and Marine Resources, and Department of Biology, East Carolina Universit

Development of Fed and Starved Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) Larvae from the Roanoke River, North Carolina

Completion Report for ECU Grant/Contract No. 5-21431. ICMR Tech Report 86-03Fed and unfed striped bass larvae were reared in a laboratory using ambient Roanoke River water to determine differences in growth and development. These differences were used to histologically determine the nutritional state of Roanoke River striped bass larvae collected from the Roanoke River delta and western Albemarle Sound from 1984 through 1986. An additional experiment examined the effects of high concentrations of aluminum in acidified waters on larval striped bass skin. Larvae that were given Artemia as a food source were successful at feeding by 6.5 days post—hatch. Decline in nutritional state of unfed larvae was apparent as soon as 5.5 days post—hatch. The organs and tissues showing signs of poor nutritional state were the eyes, liver, digestive tract, kidney, and trunk musculature. The pancreas may also be an indicator organ but results were not conclusive. Changes in these tissues occurred within 11.5 days post—hatch. Unfed larvae showed abnormal eye development by 7.5 days post—hatch. The livers of fed larvae showed moderate multifocal glycogen accumulation, while unfed larvae showed reduction in liver glycogen by 6.5 days post—hatch. Fed and unfed larvae possessed yolk 4.5 days after hatching; the rate of yolk absorption was highly variable In both groups. Fed larvae had distended, thick—walled digestive tracts; the guts of unfed larvae were collapsed and empty as soon as 4.5 days post—hatch. The hemopoietic tissue in the pronephric kidneys was reduced in unfed larvae 5.5 days post—hatch and older. Fed larvae had thickened, well—developed muscle fibers, while muscles of unfed larvae appeared thinner and separated as soon as 6 days post—hatch. Wild Roanoke River larvae examined histologically showed normal tissue development, Indicating that they were not in a starving condition. It is quite likely, however, that larvae dying from or weakened by starvation are easily preyed upon or are not susceptible to net capture. Results of the pH—aluminum experiment indicated that the microridge structure of the larval epidermis was severely altered In the presence of low pH (5.5) and high aluminum (680 ug Al3/l). Our results suggest that Roanoke striped bass larvae may suffer high mortality one to two days post—hatch from skin stress1 followed by a second mortality from starvation.North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, Division of Marine Fisheries, Morehead City. This project was funded by the North Carolina Legislature, House Bill 129 (Chapter 15, 1985 Session Laws)

Life History Aspects of the Hickory Shad (Alosa Mediocris) in the Albemarle Sound/ Roanoke River Watershed, North Carolina

Completion Report for Project M6057 to North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries, Morehead City. ICMR Contribution series, NO. ICMR-98-02The hickory shad (Alosa mediocris), which supports commercial and recreational fisheries in the Roanoke River and Albemarle Sound, North Carolina, is an anadromous species closely related to the American shad (A. sapidissima). The Albemarle Sound population has exhibited a surge in numbers since 1989, but the cause is unexplained. Little is known about the life history of this species, which now supports a fast-growing sport fishery on the Roanoke River near Weldon, NC, and increased commercial catches in Albemarle Sound. The goal of this study was to characterize key life history aspects of hickory shad in the Albemarle Sound/Roanoke River watershed including the age, size, and sex compositions of the population, the sexual maturity schedule (age to maturity), potential fecundity of adults, and identification of the nursery grounds. Fish examined in this study were captured in 1996 from the Albemarle Sound and Roanoke River. The sex ratio(males:females) of adult fish sampled from Albemarle Sound and the Roanoke River at Weldon was statistically similar (0.73:1 and 0.76:1, respectively). A 57% agreement was found between aging fish with scales and otoliths; scales overestimated younger-aged fish and underestimated older-aged fish. Most males were age 3 and most females were age 4; few fish were older than age 4 and the maximum age was 7. Males were generally smaller than females; overlapping lengths and weights at age make estimates of size at age difficult. Some fish were mature by age 2, and all were essentially mature by age 3. Fecundity estimates ranged from 80,290 to 478,944 eggs with most fish spawning two or three times before leaving the population (from harvest or natural mortality). Reduced visceral fat of fish in the Roanoke River indicated use of stored lipid reserves during migration. Juvenile hickory shad apparently do not utilize Albemarle Sound as a nursery ground in the same manner as American shad and river herring (A. aestivalis and A. pseudoharengus), but they may use coastal ocean waters. A short life span and low fecundity makes this population vulnerable to overharvest.North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Marine Fisheries, Morehead City. This project was funded, in part, by the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission Fishery Resource Grant Program

Delineation and mapping of coastal shark habitat within a shallow lagoonal estuary

Estuaries function as important nursery and foraging habitats for many coastal species, including highly migratory sharks. Pamlico Sound, North Carolina, is one of the largest estuaries in the continental United States and provides a variety of potential habitats for sharks. In order to identify and spatially delineate shark habitats within Pamlico Sound, shark catch and environmental data were analyzed from the 2007–2014 North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) gillnet and longline surveys conducted within the estuary. Principal species were identified and environmental data recorded at survey sites (depth, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) distance, and inlet distance) were interpolated across Pamlico Sound to create seasonal environmental grids with a 90-m2 cell size. Boosted Regression Tree (BRT) analysis was used to identify the most important environmental factors and ranges associated with presence of each principal species, and the resulting models were used to predict shark capture probability based on the environmental values within the grid cells. The Atlantic Sharpnose Shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae), Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus), Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas), Sandbar Shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus), Smooth Dogfish (Mustelus canis), and Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias) were the principal species in Pamlico Sound. Most species were associated with proximity to the inlet and/or high salinity, and warm temperatures, but the Bull Shark preferred greater inlet distances and the Spiny Dogfish preferred lower temperatures than the other species. Extensive Smooth Dogfish habitat overlap with seagrass beds suggests that seagrass may be a critical part of nursery habitat for this species. Spatial delineation of shark habitat within the estuary will allow for better protection of essential habitat and assessment of potential interactions with other species

Monitoring Fish, Marine Mammal Sounds with Wave Glider

By using a remotely controlled autonomous vehicle ("Blackbeard" the Acoustic Wave Glider), the authors made recordings of sounds produced by striped cusk eels, sea robins, oyster toadfish, weakfish, red drum, spotted seatrout, bottlenose dolphins, and humpback whales in Onslow Bay, North Carolina. The article describes the wave glider, the sound recording system used on the wave glider, and presents data recorded along the track followed by the glider mission in August 2017.The National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation Grant (1429315), East Carolina University (ECU) Division of Research and Economic Development and Engagement (REDE), The ECU Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Science, The ECU Department of Biology, The ECU Department of Physics, and ECU Institute for Coastal Science and Policy (ICSP)

Striped Bass Egg Abundance Viability in Scotland Neck, Roanoke River, North Carolina, for 1991

Completion Report for Project F-27: Striped Bass Investigations, Study 2 to North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. ICMR Contribution series, NO. ICMR-92-08From 15 April to 14 June 1991, annual production and viability estimates of striped bass, Morone saxarilis, eggs spawned in the Roanoke River, North Carolina, were determined by sampling downstream of the spawning grounds near the town of Scotland Neck, North Carolina, at a site known as Jacob’s Landing (River Mile 102). Results were compared to concurrent sampling conducted upstream at Barnhill’s Landing (River Mile 117), a site closer to the historical spawning grounds. Comparisons of the data sets at the two locations provided information on the effects of reservoir discharge on striped bass spawning activity, and possible effects of sampling location on resultant egg production and viability estimates. At each site, samples were taken by trailing paired nets at the surface from a small boat for five minutes every four hours for 60 days. Data collected at Barnhill’s Landing represent the official egg production and viability estimates each year, so results of the Scotland Neck study are presented in context to the Barnhill’s Landing estimates.North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commision, Archdale Building, Raleigh, NC. This project was funded, in part, by the U. S. Department of the Interior, Fish, and Wildlife Service, under the Wallop-Breaux Extension Bill