STETSON BANK LONG-TERM MONITORING: 2017 ANNUAL REPORT [Type here] December 2018 | sanctuaries.noaa.gov | NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES CONSERVATION SERIES ONMS-19-03 U.S. Department of Commerce Wilbur Ross, Secretary National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, Acting Administrator National Ocean Service Nicole LeBoeuf, Acting Assistant Administrator Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Rebecca Holyoke, Ph.D., Acting Director Report Authors: Marissa F. Nuttall1,2, Raven Blakeway1,2, James MacMillian1,2, Travis K. Sterne1,2, Xinping Hu3, John A. Embesi1,2, Emma L. Hickerson2, Michelle A. Johnston2, G.P. Schmahl2, and James Sinclair4. 1CPC, San Diego, CA 2Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Galveston, TX 3Carbon Cycle Laboratory, Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX 4Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Suggested citation: Office of Environmental Compliance, Nuttall, M.F., R.D. Blakeway, J. MacMillan, T.K. Sterne, X. New Orleans, LA Hu, J.A. Embesi, E.L. Hickerson, M.A. Johnston, G.P. Schmahl, J. Sinclair. 2018. Stetson Bank Long-Term Monitoring: 2017 Annual Report. National Marine Sanctuaries Conservation Series ONMS-19-03. U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Galveston, TX. 94pp. Cover photo: A variety of fish, including gray snapper, vermilion snapper, and tomtate school above high relief pinnacles at Stetson Bank. Photo: G.P. Schmahl /NOAA [Type here] 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 620,000 square miles of ocean and Great Lakes waters. The 13 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 these waters, giant humpback whales breed and calve their young, coral colonies flourish, and shipwrecks tell stories of our 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 more than 582,000 square miles, serve as natural classrooms, cherished recreational spots, and are home to valuable commercial industries. Because of considerable differences in settings, resources, and threats, each national 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 (http://www.sanctuaries.noaa.gov). i Disclaimer Report content does not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products 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 http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov. Contact Marissa F. Nuttall Research Operations Specialist CPC, contracted to NOAA Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary 4700 Avenue U, Bldg. 216 Galveston, TX 77551 409.356.0391 [email protected] James Sinclair Marine Ecologist Marine Trash & Debris Program Coordinator Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Office of Environmental Compliance 1201 Elmwood Pk. Blvd., GE 466 New Orleans, LA 70123 504-736-2789 [email protected] ii Table of Contents Topic Page Introduction ..........................................................................................................................1 Chapter 1: Repetitive Photostations .....................................................................................4 Introduction .......................................................................................................................5 Methods .............................................................................................................................9 Field Methods .................................................................................................................9 Data Processing .............................................................................................................10 Results .............................................................................................................................10 Discussion ........................................................................................................................13 Challenges and Resolutions .............................................................................................15 Chapter 2: Random Transects ............................................................................................16 Introduction .....................................................................................................................17 Methods ...........................................................................................................................17 Field Methods ...............................................................................................................17 Data Processing .............................................................................................................18 Results .............................................................................................................................19 Discussion ........................................................................................................................21 Challenges and Resolutions .............................................................................................22 Chapter 3: Fish Surveys .....................................................................................................23 Introduction .....................................................................................................................24 Methods ...........................................................................................................................24 Field Methods ...............................................................................................................24 Data Processing .............................................................................................................24 Statistical Analysis ........................................................................................................25 Results .............................................................................................................................25 Sighting Frequency and Occurrence .............................................................................25 Density ..........................................................................................................................27 Biomass .........................................................................................................................28 Trophic Guilds ..............................................................................................................29 Size Frequency ..............................................................................................................32 Dominance Plots ...........................................................................................................33 Spatial Analysis .............................................................................................................34 Discussion ........................................................................................................................35 Challenges and Resolutions .............................................................................................37 Chapter 4: Sea Urchin and Lobster Surveys ......................................................................38 Introduction .....................................................................................................................39 Methods ...........................................................................................................................39 Field Methods ...............................................................................................................39 Data Processing .............................................................................................................39