Florida Fish Busters Bulletin September 2010 Freshwater Fisheries and the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Bob

Wattendorf, Chris Paxton and FWC Staff The Deepwater Horizon explosion and fire on an offshore oil-drilling platform on April 20 in the Gulf of Mexico has been described as one of the largest marine oil spills in history. The threat to Floridas commercial and recreational fisheries was immense, as well as creating the risk of injury to marine mammals, seabirds, sea turtles and flora and fauna throughout the food chain. Even further it threatened fisheries-dependent businesses and the tourism economy. Fortunately, with the diversity and scope of Floridas fisheries, we feel confident that Florida retained the title of Fishing Capital of the World, based on our great resources and responsible management. From the beginning, freshwater fisheries biologists stepped up to help with response efforts to protect Floridas marine species. Even though our freshwater fisheries were not directly challenged, we were concerned about impacts on estuarine and riverine species especially if species such as crabs a major food source for marine life were to become contaminated. Largemouth and striped bass around the mouths of Northwest Florida rivers could be impacted by oil if it washed in far enough. Fortunately, there is no scientific evidence that show these impacts.

BP, the U.S. Coast Guard and Minerals Management Service were designated as lead response agencies (www.restorethegulf.gov) nationally. In Florida, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) was the lead agency for responding to the oil spill. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has and will play a vital role throughout this event until impacts are known and dealt with effectively.
FWC scientist Larame Ferry photographs offshore oil from National Guard C-23 aircraft.

FWC staff (working with DEP,

county governments, water management districts and several federal agencies) has conducted pre- and post-spill fish and wildlife assessments. These include taking water samples and testing for contamination in sediments, fish and shellfish and evaluating critical habitat for fish, and especially shorebird and sea turtle nesting areas that might be impacted. The FWC was very involved in locating the presence of oil, using scientists aboard FWC law enforcement and research vessels offshore, as well as patrolling beaches using all-terrain vehicles and doing flyovers with both rotary and fixed wing aircraft. Beyond reconnoitering, the FWC played a key role in mapping impacts of the spill using geographical information systems and coordinating with media about fish and wildlife. Hands-on activities included involvement with

oiled wildlife recovery and cleaning-and-release programs led by Tri-State, a private contractor. A very successful sea turtle egg transplant program to keep hatchling turtles out of harms way was led by the FWC. The FWC, partner agencies and volunteers relocated 261 nests along the Northwest Florida coast until it was determined habitat was safe for hatchlings to emerge naturally. Eggs were carefully placed in specially prepared coolers and driven by FedEx trucks to Kennedy Space Center on Florida's east coast. The coolers were monitored by Innovative Health Application biologists. Since July 10, more than 8,000 hatchlings have been released into the Atlantic. Most were loggerhead sea turtles (a threatened species). A few endangered Kemp's ridley turtle and green sea turtle nests
Randy Simmons stands with special racks to protect turtle eggs.

were also relocated.

Approximately 350 nests remain on Florida's northwest beaches, and turtles typically continue to lay eggs throughout August. These will be left for nature to care for, since recent investigations of critical sargassum weed lines offshore of nesting areas show them to be visibly clean of oil and to have vibrant populations of prey young turtles need to survive. Northwest Region Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management biologists Dave Yeager and senior fisheries technician Randy Simmons assisted with aerial over-flight reconnaissance to monitor shoreline,

nearshore oil and tracking of the oil plume. Simmons was responsible for redesigning and constructing 65 transportation devices that held coolers used to successfully relocate sea turtle eggs. Biologists Katie Woodside and Nicole Kierl performed land reconnaissance missions focusing on documenting tar ball and oil spill product impacting the coastline, as well as, marine sea turtle observer duties. Fisheries study leader Bob Demauro assisted at the Emergency Operations Center in Okaloosa County, and regional fisheries administrator Chris Paxton oversaw mission operations, assignments and coordinated oil response activities for the Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management. As of mid-August, the Deepwater Horizon was not discharging oil into the Gulf of Mexico, but the Unified Area Command continues with oil well intervention and spill response planning. On Aug. 5, pressure testing indicated there was an effective cement plug in the casing. BP believes the static kill and cementing procedures have been successful. The National Incident Command (NIC) assembled interagency scientific experts to estimate the quantity of oil that was released from the well and the fate of that oil. The figure they determined in early August was 4.9 million barrels (205,800,000 gallons). A second interagency scientific report estimated that burning, skimming and direct recovery from the wellhead removed one quarter (25%) of the oil released from the wellhead. One quarter (25%) of the total oil naturally evaporated or dissolved, and just

less than one quarter (24%) was dispersed (either naturally or as a result of operations) as microscopic droplets into Gulf waters. The residual amount just over one quarter (26%) is believed to be on or near the surface as light sheen or in weathered tar balls that washed ashore, have been collected from shore, or are buried in sand and sediments. Oil in the residual and dispersed categories will continue to be degraded and along with effects of chemical dispersants are being studied and mitigating actions taken where possible (see www.DeepWaterHorizonResponse.com). During the spills peak disbursement period in late June, NOAA had closed nearly 36 percent of federally controlled Gulf waters to fishing, by late August all but about 20 percent was reopened. Within the states jurisdiction (from the shoreline nine miles out into the Gulf) the FWC had (June 14July 31) closed a 24-mile long area offshore of Escambia County to harvest of saltwater fish, as a precaution due to possible oil impacts. Upon reopening the fishery, Nick Wiley,

During Sept., visit MyFWC.com/BassPlan_Survey to provide input into the future of Florida black bass fishing, and also visit MyFWC.com/RULESANDREGS/ Rules_Proposed_Explanation.htm to provide comments on rules for 2011-12.

executive director of the FWC, stated: "This is great news for all Floridians and particularly our coastal communities, where fishing is such an important component of their economy and way of life. We can all be confident that fish caught in Florida waters are healthy and great to eat."

Analysis conducted under supervision of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and NOAA confirmed fish are safe and oil-free. Oysters, clams and mussels had not been included in the closure and were open to harvest; however, the area remained closed to harvest of shrimp and crabs (see MyFWC.com/OilSpill for current status). The Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management is also involved with efforts to help promote fishing in Northwest Florida. The area is known for excellent bass, bream, crappie, striper and catfish. The western Panhandle areas are naturally dependent on river fisheries, but back in the 1970s the state created a series of Commission-Managed Impoundments that are intensely managed to provide popular fishing opportunities. Flathead and blue catfish have expanded their natural range into Northwest Florida rivers where they provide large, strong, aggressive challenges to freshwater anglers. The Florida Catfish Classic Tournament is coming up, Sept. 24-25 at Gaskin Park Landing in Wewahitchka. The tournament starts at 4 p.m. CST on Sept. 25, and ends at noon CST Sept. 26 with the Awards Presentation. Break the State Flathead Record and win $10,000 cash (see www.FloridaCatfishClassic.com or contact: Don Minchew - 850/814-3180) for details. Also check out BountyFishing.com/FL for other fishing tournaments you can participate in when and where you want, simply sign up and provide the required digital photos to document your catchyou can even release and recycle your catch immediately and still claim a prize.

Instant licenses are available at MyFWC.com/License or by calling 888-FISHFLORIDA (347-4356). Report violators by calling *FWC or #FWC on your cell phone, or 888-404-3922. Visit http://www.myfwc.com/Fishing/ for more Fish Busters columns. -30-