Panama City Fisheries Resources Office: FY 2008 Annual Report

Abstract

HIGHLIGHTS FOR FY 20081. Completed the first of a two-year Gulf sturgeon population study on theChoctawhatchee River, Florida. The sub adult and adult Gulf sturgeon populationwas estimated at 2,800 fish.2. Gulf sturgeon eggs were collected at three hard bottom sites in the ApalachicolaRiver, Florida; two sites were previously confirmed spawning areas and one was anewly confirmed spawning area.3. Documented 55 potential environmental threats to Gulf sturgeon spawning habitatin the Pea River, Florida and Alabama.4. Assigned the Eglin AFB Road-Stream Crossing Working Group to guide theclosure, repair and maintenance of roads and road stream crossings that impactthreatened and endangered species.5. Conducted 81 assessments of fish and stream invertebrates on and in watershedssurrounding Eglin AFB.6. Provided technical support for the 5-year status review and reclassificationproposed rule for the Okaloosa darter.7. Initiated an intensive population genetic analysis of the Okaloosa darterthroughout its range. Tissues from over 200 Okaloosa darters were collected andanalyzed.8. Established a GIS database to serve as a host for data from any sites sampled formussels in Northeast Gulf of Mexico drainages.9. Conducted habitat surveys at 115 locations in the Apalachicola River to assess theeffects of drought-related mussel mortality and strandings, evaluate habitatconditions, and assess population demography.10. A land use/aerial imagery threats assessment data analysis was completed for theChipola River. A total of 266 impoundments/borrow pits and 471 unpaved roadcrossings were identified among the threats.11. Okaloosa darters marked with elastomeric dyes were monitored in Mill Creek,Eglin AFB, to determine movement and habitat use following completion of afish passage project.312. Partners for Fish and Wildlife funded a streambank and riparian restorationproject on Econfina Creek consisting of 3,900 feet of streambank fencing toexclude cattle access. One acre of riparian floodplain was planted with nativetrees.13. We provided design and on-the-ground assistance for restoring surface hydrologyat St. Vincent NWR. The project restored approximately 1.5 miles of tidal streamand 100 acres of wetlands.14. A study was completed on 11 coastal streams to document large wood debrisrelationships with fluvial geomorphic characteristics.15. We developed a Population Viability Analysis model for the fat threeridgemussel to determine current and future risk of extinction.17. A Gulf Sturgeon Friends Group, “Gulf Sturgeon Preservation Society” wasorganized in FY 08.18. Multiple outreach projects were completed to detail aquatic resource conservationneeds and opportunities, including National Fishing Week, Earth Day, severalfestivals and school outreach.