SCALLOP DREDGING IN THE NEW YORK BIGHT:

SUBSTRATE CHANGES AND ASSOCIATED RECOVERY

RATES

W. C. PhoelPhoel Associates, Inc.

35 Freeman CourtToms River, NJ 08753-2613

 V. J. Capone

Black Laser LearningP. O. Box 1385

Hockessin, DE. 19707 

J. M. WellsUndersea Research Foundation, Inc.

P. O. Box 696North, VA. 23128

 

A. MacanNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Marine Fisheries Service - Fisheries Statistics Office P.O. Box 624

Cape May, NJ 08204-0624

EXPERIMENTAL RATIONALE

• Assess the effects of scallop dredging on the substrate and associated biota in an area with sediments of rocks, gravel, and sand.

• Determine the rate of recovery of the substrate and biota to pre-dredge conditions.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

• One Control and One Experimental Transect

• Experiment 1: Apr & Aug 2004• Benign Conditions

• Experiment 2: Nov & Dec 2004• Harsher Conditioners

METHODOLOGIES

• Precision Navigation

• Side Scan Sonar

• Drop Video Camera

• Biological Information from Dredge Hauls

• Sediment Grain Size

CONCLUSION 1

The side scan sonar obtained images of the sediments on a large scale with definition fine enough to discern not only between dredged and un-dredged sediments but also between different sized sand waves.

CONCLUSION 2

The smaller scale, high definition drop camera video tapes collaborated the side scan sonar images in every case and provided more detailed information.

CONCLUSION 3

The effects of scallop dredging in the experimental area were no longer evident after 118 days of benign summer conditions.

CONCLUSION 4

The effects of scallop dredging in the experimental area were just slightly evident after 47 days between November and December 2004.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• We thank Captains Arthur and Kenneth Ochse and the crew of the scalloper CHRISTIAN AND ALEXA for their field support, interest and cooperation.

• We also thank the NOAA Fisheries Cooperative Research Partners Initiative for financial support.