Baseline Ecological Assessment of Artificial Reef, High Island A-389-A: Pre- and Post-Partial Structure Removal
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Baseline Ecological Assessment of Artificial Reef, High Island A-389-A: Pre- and Post-partial Structure Removal August 2020 | sanctuaries.noaa.gov | National Marine Sanctuaries Conservation Series ONMS-20-11 U.S. Department of Commerce Wilbur Ross, Secretary National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Neil A. Jacobs, Ph.D. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction National Ocean Service Nicole LeBoeuf, Assistant Administrator (Acting) Office of National Marine Sanctuaries John Armor, Director Report Authors: Michelle A. Johnston1, Marissa F. Nuttall2, Kelly 2 2 O’Connell , Jimmy MacMillan , Raven D. 2 3 3 Blakeway , Erik Ebert , Chris Taylor , Emma L. Hickerson1, John A. Embesi2, and G.P. Schmahl1 1NOAA Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Galveston, TX 2 Cardinal Point Captains, Inc., Galveston, TX 3NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Beaufort, NC Suggested Citation: Johnston, M.A., M.F. Nuttall, K. O’Connell, J. MacMillan, R.D. Blakeway, E. Ebert, C. Taylor, E.L. Hickerson, J.A. Embesi, and G.P. Schmahl. 2020 . Baseline Ecological Assessment of Artificial Reef, High Island A -389-A: Pre- and Post-Structure Removal. National Marine Sanctua ries Conservation Series ONMS-20-11. U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Galveston, TX. 201 pp. Cover Photo: Diver conducts roving fish survey at High Island A-389-A. Photo: Ryan Eckert/CPC About the National Marine Sanctuaries Conservation Series The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, serves as the trustee for a system of underwater parks encompassing more than 600,000 square miles of ocean and Great Lakes waters. The 14 national marine sanctuaries and two marine national monuments within the National Marine Sanctuary System represent areas of America’s ocean and Great Lakes environment that are of special national significance. Within their waters, giant humpback whales breed and calve their young, coral colonies flourish, and shipwrecks tell stories of our nation’s maritime history. Habitats include beautiful coral reefs, lush kelp forests, whale migration corridors, spectacular deep-sea canyons, and underwater archaeological sites. These special places also provide homes to thousands of unique or endangered species and are important to America’s cultural heritage. Sites range in size from less than one square mile to almost 583,000 square miles. They serve as natural classrooms and cherished recreational spots, and are home to valuable commercial industries. Because of considerable differences in settings, resources, and threats, each marine sanctuary has a tailored management plan. Conservation, education, research, monitoring, and enforcement programs vary accordingly. The integration of these programs is fundamental to marine protected area management. The National Marine Sanctuaries Conservation Series reflects and supports this integration by providing a forum for publication and discussion of the complex issues currently facing the National Marine Sanctuary System. Topics of published reports vary substantially and may include descriptions of educational programs, discussions on resource management issues, and results of scientific research and monitoring projects. The series facilitates integration of natural sciences, socioeconomic and cultural sciences, education, and policy development to accomplish the diverse needs of NOAA’s resource protection mandate. All publications are available on the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries website (https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov). i Disclaimer The scientific results and conclusions, as well as any views or opinions expressed herein, are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of NOAA or the Department of Commerce. The mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. Report Availability Electronic copies of this report may be downloaded from the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries web site at https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov. Contact G.P. Schmahl, Superintendent NOAA Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary NOAA Galveston Laboratory 4700 Avenue U, Bldg. 216 Galveston, TX 77551 (409) 356-0383 [email protected] Or Douglas Peter, Artificial Reef Coordinator Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Gulf of Mexico OCS Region 1201 Elmwood Park Blvd., GE466 New Orleans, LA 70123 (504) 736-7514 [email protected] ii Table of Contents Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... iii Abstract .............................................................................................................................. vi Key Words ......................................................................................................................... vi Chapter 1. Introduction to Assessment of High Island A-389-A........................................ 1 Background ..................................................................................................................... 2 Biological Community on HI-A-389-A .......................................................................... 7 Assessment Objectives.................................................................................................. 11 Assessment Components .............................................................................................. 11 Field Operations and Data Collection ........................................................................... 12 Chapter 2. Methods ........................................................................................................... 14 Study Design ................................................................................................................. 15 Methods Conducted Using Scuba ................................................................................. 20 Random Photographic Transects .............................................................................. 20 Repetitive Photostation Images................................................................................. 25 Roving Diver Fish Surveys ....................................................................................... 28 Belt Transect Fish Surveys ....................................................................................... 31 ROV Methods ............................................................................................................... 32 Repetitive Photographic Transects ........................................................................... 32 Seafloor Random Photographic Transects ................................................................ 34 Seafloor Random and Repetitive Transect Fish Surveys .......................................... 35 Roving ROV Fish Surveys........................................................................................ 36 Fish Acoustics Methods ................................................................................................ 36 Fish Acoustics Surveys ............................................................................................. 36 Water Quality ................................................................................................................ 40 Water Column Profiles ............................................................................................. 40 Chapter 3. Benthic Surveys............................................................................................... 41 Photographic Transects on Horizontal Beams .............................................................. 42 Pre-Removal Horizontal Beam Benthic Results ....................................................... 42 Post-Removal Horizontal Beam Benthic Results ..................................................... 54 Comparison of Pre- and Post-Removal Horizontal Beam Benthic Results .............. 64 iii Photographic Transects on Vertical Pilings .................................................................. 77 Pre-Removal Vertical Piling Benthic Results ........................................................... 77 Opportunistic Vertical Pile Survey Results after EFGB Localized Mortality Event 84 Post-Removal Vertical Piling Benthic Results ......................................................... 85 Comparison of Pre- and Post-Removal Vertical Piling Benthic Results .................. 92 Repetitive Photostations.............................................................................................. 101 Repetitive Photostation Analysis and Results......................................................... 101 Seafloor Surveys ......................................................................................................... 105 Pre-Removal Seafloor Surveys Benthic Results ..................................................... 105 Post-Removal Seafloor Surveys Benthic Results ................................................... 106 Comparison of Pre- and Post-Removal Seafloor Surveys Benthic Results ............ 109 Benthic Community Comparison and Discussion ...................................................... 109 Pre-Removal Benthic Community .......................................................................... 109 Post-Removal Benthic Community .......................................................................