Panama City Fisheries Resources Office: FY 2005 Annual Report

HIGHLIGHTS FOR FY 20051. Assisted with a study to assess hurricane impacts to Gulf sturgeon criticalforaging habitat.2. Documented Gulf sturgeon marine movement and habitat use in the Gulf ofMexico.3. Documented Gulf sturgeon spawning with the collection of fertilized eggs in theApalachicola River, Florida.4. Documented Gulf sturgeon spawning with the collection of fertilized eggs in theYellow River, Florida.5. Assisted with benthic invertebrate survey at Gulf sturgeon marine foraginggrounds.6. Implemented Gulf Striped Bass Restoration Plan by coordinating the 22nd AnnualMorone Workshop, leading the technical committee, transporting broodfish, andcoordinating the stocking on the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) riversystem.7. Over 87,000 Phase II Gulf striped bass were marked with sequential coded wiretags and stocked in the Apalachicola River. Post-stocking evaluations wereconducted at 45 sites in the fall and spring and 8 thermal refuges in the summer.8. Completed fishery surveys on 4 ponds on Eglin AFB totaling 53 acres, andcompleted a report with recommendations for future recreational fishery needs.9. Completed final report for aquatic monitoring at Eglin AFB from 1999 to 2004.10. Completed a field collection of the endangered Okaloosa darter to be incorporatedinto a status review to be completed in FY06.11. Provided technical assistance to the Region 4 National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)program on changes to the fishery conservation targets for the region. Alsoprovided technical assistance to four NWRs (i.e., Okefenokee NWR, Banks LakeNWR, St. Vincent NWR, and St. Marks NWR) relative to hurricanes andrecreational fishing.12. A draft mussel sampling protocol was tested in wadeable streams in NorthwestFlorida and southwest Georgia, and an associated field guide, poster, andFreshwater Mussel Survey Protocol and Identification workshop were completedin FY05.13. Implemented recovery plan and candidate conservation actions for 14 listed andcandidate freshwater mussels in the Northeast Gulf Watersheds.14. Initiated or completed multiple stream restoration and watershed managementprojects. A total of 7.5 stream miles were restored for stream fishes, and 11 milesof coastline were enhanced for sea turtle lighting. A total of 630 acres ofwetlands and 2,401 acres of understory habitat were restored.15. Conducted a watershed assessment to develop a threats analysis for prioritizingrestoration, protection, and enhancement to natural resources of Spring Creek,Georgia and Canoe Creek, Florida.16. Continued the formation of an Unpaved Road Interagency Team of Federal, State,and local agencies in Northwest Florida to promote stream protection andrestoration from unpaved road sediment runoff. Began the development of atechnical committee agreement.17. Conducted Alabama Unpaved Road Inventory within the Northeast GulfEcosystem. Data collection will be completed during FY06.18. Finalized the development of two North Florida hydrophysiographic regionalcurves for use by the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) and othersinvolved with stream restoration and protection. Initiated the development of theAlabama Coastal Plain Riparian Reference Reach and Regional Curves for use bythe Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM).19. Provided technical assistance in collecting data, analysis, and thesis formulationwith Troy University, Alabama, to identify the influence of large woody debris insoutheastern coastal plain streams.20. Completed pre- and post-restoration fish community monitoring at severalrestoration projects including Big Escambia Creek, Magnolia Creek, and OysterLake, Florida.21. Established a watershed partnership for the Chipola River in Alabama and Floridaand expanded development and participation in the Spring Creek WatershedPartnership, Georgia.22. Continued to identify barriers which inhibit the movement of aquatic specieswithin the Northeast Gulf Ecoregion.23. Completed a report on road crossing structures in Okaloosa darter streams toguide the closure/repair/maintenance of roads to contribute to recovery of theendangered species. In cooperation with Three Rivers RC&D Council, fishpassage sites identified in the report were prioritized for restoration.24. Monitored Aquatic Nuisance Species in the Apalachicola River and tested thesterility of exotic grass carp.25. Multiple outreach projects were completed to detail aquatic resourcesconservation needs and opportunities. Participated in National Fishing Weekevent, several festivals, and school outreach.