Gulf Coast Fisherman Newsletter
August 1, 2009
(MASGP-09-001-08)
$167 MILLION TO SUPPORT 50 COASTAL RESTORATION PROJECTS
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently awarded $167 million for 50 habitat restoration projects supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The 50 successful projects were chosen from a pool of 814 proposals totaling more than $3 billion in requests and identified through a rigorous selection process to prioritize projects meeting the Recovery Act's criteria. When complete, the projects will have restored more than 8,900 acres of habitat and removed obsolete and unsafe dams that open more than 700 stream miles where fish migrate and spawn. The projects will also remove more than 850 metric tons of debris, rebuild oyster and other shellfish habitat, and reduce threats to 11,750 acres of coral reefs.
Healthy coastal habitats are critical to the recovery and sustainability of the U.S. economy. Coastal areas generate more than 28 million jobs in the United States. Commercial and recreational fishing employs 1.5 million people and contributes $111 billion to the nation's economy. A significant number of these coastal and Great Lakes restoration projects, in 22 states and two territories, are in areas with some of the highest unemployment rates, including the states of California, Oregon, and Michigan. The projects will employ Americans with a range of skills including laborers, nursery workers, design engineers, restoration ecologists, landscape architects, hydrologists and specialized botanists. In addition, the projects are estimated to create indirect jobs in industries that supply materials and administrative, clerical, and managerial services.
Projects selected for funding in the Gulf of Mexico region include:
- Coastal Alabama Restoration (Bayou la Batre, Ala.) – $2.9 million – Rebuilds oyster reef and natural breakwater structures along 1.5 miles of shoreline. 19 acres of property will be protected by this project.
- Lost River Preserve Restoration (St. Petersburg, Fla.) – $750,000 – Rebuilds 43 acres of estuarine, freshwater wetlands and restore native vegetation, also reconnecting to the Cockroach Bay Preserve.
- Grande Isle Shoreline Restoration (Grande Isle, La.) – $4 million – Bio-engineers 5 acres of living shoreline along the Louisiana coastline, resulting in the restoration and protection of 300 acres of vulnerable marsh habitat.
- Mississippi River Tidal Marsh Restoration (Myrtle Grove, La.) – $3 million – Hydraulically dredges sediment from the Mississippi River to create 50 acres of intertidal marsh to support recreationally and commercially important fisheries as well as help to reduce storm surge and flooding.
- West Galveston Bay Estuary Restoration (Galveston, Texas) – $5.1 million – Restores 329 acres of intertidal wetlands in Galveston Bay, which serve as a nursery for recreational and commercial fish species in the Gulf of Mexico.
NEW ARTIFICIAL REEFS IN MISSISSIPPI
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (DMR) Derelict Vessel Removal Program and Artificial Reef Bureau have combined efforts with the Mississippi Gulf Fishing Banks (MGFB) to enhance fish habitat in the Mississippi Gulf. On Thursday, July 9, 2009, the DMR and MGFB deployed the Tiger Shark shrimp boat to the southeast of Fish Haven 13, about 15 miles south of Horn Island, to be used as artificial fish habitat. The Tiger Shark had been stranded in the Mississippi Sound just off the Biloxi beach near the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor since the beginning of the year.
The derelict vessel was removed in June by a private contractor, who then cleaned and prepped it for deployment. A derelict vessel is a marine vessel that is no longer operational, has been abandoned by its owner and is moored and/or sunk and posing a hazard to navigation. Before a vessel can be deployed, all fuel, oil, engines and any wood must be removed and the vessel pressure-washed.. It is then inspected to be sure there are no remaining hazardous materials. To deploy the Tiger Shark, holes were cut along the water line and wood patches placed over the holes. The boat was then pulled to the site in Fish Haven 13, where the patches were removed to allow water to overtake the boat. It took about 45 minutes for the Tiger Shark to sink. The DMR and MGFB shared the $32,000 cost of removing, cleaning and deploying the derelict vessel.
The Derelict Vessel Removal Program was created to record all derelict vessels within the coastal wetlands, prioritize the removal of each and contract for the removal and disposal of the vessel in order to restore the coastal wetlands to a natural state, enhance the environment, enable safe navigation and remove harmful substances from the coastal waters. Since May 1998, the program has removed about 190 vessels. Since 2002, 43 derelict vessels have been used to create artificial reef habitat. About 90 percent of Mississippi’s artificial reefs were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. A little more than 60 percent of those reefs have been rebuilt. Currently, DMR and MGFB are working on inshore reef deployment, using cultch material around boat ramps, fishing piers and deepwater markers to help build those habitats. On Wednesday, July 29, 2009, about 300 cubic yards of crushed limestone were distributed across a half acre just off the Ocean Springs Chester M. MacPherson Jr. community pier as part of the effort to restore inshore fish habitat and rebuild the fish population for pier and nearshore fishermen. During this year, the DMR and MGFB plan to distribute another 22,000 cubic yards of cultch material, which is often made up of crushed limestone, concrete or other suitable material, over 18 sites along the Coast.
SHRIMP WASTES MADE INTO HUMAN FOOD SUPPLEMENT
Students at the Iztapalapa Metropolitan Autonomous University in Mexico (UAM) have developed a new process for making food supplements from shrimp wastes. Instead of using chemicals (soda) to accelerate the fermentation of the wastes, the team uses “a reactant designed and patented by UAM” to accelerate fermentation and halve the use of dangerous reactive agents and water. The new, eco-friendly supplement contains chitosan, calcium, vitamin C and high quality pigments. Ileana Diaz Garay, a member of the team that designed the process of making the supplement, said, “Once the shrimp discard is introduced into the reactor, the substances obtained are processed and encapsulated for the supplement or can be sold as raw material. Its quality is higher than that attained in the soda process in not being subjected to high levels of chemical substances.” The team says their supplement has the potential for lowering cholesterol, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, lowering weight and absorbing fat. They are working on ways to market it. (Source: FIS United States. Shrimp Discard Served Up as Nutritional Supplement. Analia Murias (editorial@fis.com). July 11, 2009.)
ALABAMA OPENS GULF STATE PARK PIER
On Thursday July 23, Gov. Bob Riley cut the ribbon officially opening the new pier at Gulf State Park to the public. This highly anticipated $14.8 million project is now the longest pier on the Gulf of Mexico and Alabama’s only public pier on the Gulf. The original pier was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. The pier has several new features including indoor concession area seating, indoor retail space for tackle and souvenirs, pier comfort stations, and wheelchair accessible rail fishing. At 1,540 feet long, 20 feet wide, and boasting 2,448 feet of fishing space available along the rails, it’s much larger than the previous pier and can accommodate up to 30 people on the octagon shaped end of the pier. In addition to a saltwater fishing license or pier license, the daily fishing permit is $8 for adults and children over the age of 12. For children under age 12, who would like to fish while the adults watch, the charge is $4. The sightseeing only fee for adults is $3. Weekly, monthly, semi-annual and annual permits are available. For more information, including a complete list of pier rules and regulations, visit the Gulf State Park section of www.alapark.com.
FLORIDA ‘S NEW SHORELINE FISHING LICENSE
Florida's new shoreline fishing license requirement became effective Aug. 1, 2009. Resident anglers who fish for saltwater species from shore or a structure affixed to shore must have a $9 shoreline fishing license or a $17 regular saltwater fishing license. Nonresident anglers need a regular nonresident saltwater fishing license to fish from shore or from a vessel. Short-term and annual nonresident fishing licenses cost between $17 and $47. Additional fees may apply to all fishing licenses, depending on where an angler purchases the license.
The shoreline requirement allows exemptions for resident anglers who fish in their home county, using live or natural bait, on a line or pole without a line-retrieval mechanism. This exemption does not apply to anglers who use nets, traps, gigs, spears or who gather seafood by hand or any type of gear other than hook and line. Other exemptions apply for anglers who qualify for temporary cash assistance, food stamps or Medicaid. Also, resident anglers who are age 65 or older and children under age 16 may fish without a license. Active-duty military personnel may fish without a license while home on leave in Florida. Licensed fishing piers have licenses that cover everyone who fishes from them.
By creating the shoreline fishing license, the Florida Legislature arranged for Florida anglers to be exempt from a more expensive federal angler registration requirement that will take effect in 2011. More information about fishing license requirements is available at MyFWC.com. Click on "Newsroom" and "Media Resources."
Sincerely,
Dave Burrage
Marine Resources Specialist
MSU Coastal Research and Extension Center