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2007 Cooperative Research Contractual Projects

Number of Contractual Projects for the Year 2007: 13

Shrimp

  1. An Examination of the Frequency of Black Gill Disease in White Shrimp (Penaeus setiferus) in South Carolina Using Samples Collected by Commercial Shrimp Fishermen. – Year II.
  2. A Study to Relate Shrimp Trawl Tow Duration to the Quality of White Shrimp (Penaeus setiferus) during an Outbreak of Black Gill Disease. – Year II.

Blue Crabs

  1. Examine the Effectiveness of Attaching 'Turtle Excluder Devices' to Crab Pot Entrances to Prevent the Capture of Diamondback Terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin centrata). – Year II.
  2. Pilot Study to Establish a Logbook Survey for Commercially Caught Blue Crab, Callinectes sapidus to Evaluate the Time and Cost Associated with the Industry. – Year II.

Fin Fish

  1. An Examination of the Migratory Behavior of Selected Finfish Species Through a Cooperative Fish Tagging Program with Commercial Ocean Fishing Piers in Long Bay, South Carolina (the Grand Strand).
  2. A Pilot Logbook Survey to Characterize the South Carolina Flounder Gigging Fishery. – Year II.
  3. Purchase of Whole Cobia from Recreational and Commercial Anglers for the Purpose of Characterizing a Coast Wide Population Structure.
  4. Surf Zone Assessment of Population Dynamics.

Oysters

  1. Pilot Study Utilizing Discarded Crab Traps as a Settlement Substrate (cultch) for the American Oyster (Crassostrea virginica). – Year II.
  2. Developing and Testing Alternate or Synthetic Oyster Cultch through Clemson University. - Year II.
  3. Feasibility/Pilot Study for Under Dock Oyster and Clam Culture. – Year I.

Seafood Marketing

  1. The Flow of South Carolina Harvest Seafood Products and Related Substitutes Through SC Market Channels. – Year I.

Seabirds

  1. Determine the Distribution and Abundance of Ship-following Seabirds Along with the Impact of Trawler By-catch Discards on Seabird Populations. – Year II.

2007 Cooperative Research Grant Projects

Number of Grant Projects for the Year 2007: 11

Artificial Reefs

  1. Assessment of Fish Communities Associated with SC Permitted Artificial Reef Sites with Comparable Natural Hard Bottom Sites by South Carolina Aquarium Volunteer Divers.

Stone Crabs

  1. Evaluation of the Viability of a Stone Crab Fishery in South Carolina using GIS - Year II.

Blue Crabs

  1. Blue Crab Tagging in the Stono River.
  2. Testing Alternative Bait for Blue Crab Traps.
  3. Feasibility Study to Assess a Seasonal Blue Crab Fishery in Historically Closed South Carolina Waters.

Gear & Methods

  1. Test a new design of slotted shrimp trawl doors to lower the cost of harvesting shrimp using SCUBA - Year II.

Finfish & Sharks

  1. Recording Catch Composition and Rates of Undersized/Legal Black Sea Bass.
  2. Using Microwave Telemetry X-PSAT Tags to Monitor Behavior of Cobia and Dolphinfish - Year II.
  3. Weakfish Tagging Project.
  4. Study of the Long-line Fishery of Coastal Sharks Occurring in State Waters.

Fisheries History

  1. A Narrative History of the South Carolina Shrimping Industry.

2006 Cooperative Research Contractual Projects

Number of Contractual Projects for the Year 2006: 8

Shrimp

  1. An examination of the frequency of black gill disease in White shrimp (Penaeus setiferus) in South Carolina using samples collected by commercial shrimp fishermen. - Year I.
  2. Document the by-catch of commercial shrimp trawlers and evaluate the statistics of kept and discarded by-catch.

Blue Crabs

  1. Examine the effectiveness of attaching "Turtle Excluder Devices" to crab pot entrances to prevent the capture of Diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin centrata). - Year I.
  2. Pilot study to establish a logbook survey for commercial Blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) to evaluate the time and cost associated with the industry. - Year I.

Fin Fish

  1. A characterization of the South Carolina flounder gigging fishery and collection of biological data on Southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma). - Year I.

Oysters

  1. Developing and test alternate or synthetic oyster cultch through Clemson University.
  2. Pilot study utilizing discarded crab traps as a settlement substrate (cultch) for the American oyster (Crassostrea virginica). - Year I.

Seabirds

  1. The distribution and abundance of ship-following Seabirds and determining the impact of trawler by-catch discards on Seabird populations. - Year I.

2006 Cooperative Research Grant Projects

Number of Grant Projects for the Year 2006: 13

Oysters

  1. Study methods to enhance the commercial production of Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) using different harvest methods in leased shellfish areas.
  2. Determining the ideal placement and method to grow single farmed oysters in a wild environment.
  3. Examining the feasibility of three cultivation methods for high value single oyster farming in Cape Romaine, SC.
  4. Determining profitable ways to grow premium select single oysters.
  5. Cherry Point Oyster.

Fin Fish

  1. Migration Habits of Finfish - Year I.
  2. Feasibility Study to Establish an Oyster toadfish (Opsanus tau) fishery in South Carolina for export to an existing Asian market.
  3. Make an assessment of the status of Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus) in South Carolina.

Gear & Methods

  1. Test a new design of trawl doors to reduce drag and increase fuel economy.
  2. Test a new design of slotted shrimp trawl doors to lower the cost of harvesting shrimp - Year I.
  3. Test a new method of shrimp trawling where the vessel is anchored so as to passively catch shrimp using natural river current.

Stone Crabs

  1. Development of new traps and methods for the commercial harvest of Stone crab claws - Year I.

Octopus

  1. Study the viability of an Octopus (Octopus vulgaris) fishery off South Carolina’s Coast.

2005 Cooperative Research Contractual Projects

  1. Pilot Study Using Pop-Off Satellite Tags to Monitor Dolphin (Corypheana hippurus)
    DNR is working with recreational fishermen to catch and tag Dolphin (Coryphaena Hippurus) in South Carolina. A pop-off satellite tag will record temperature, depth and location every few minutes for 30 days to 90 days and then beam that information to a satellite.

  2. Pilot Study Using Pop-Off Satellite Tags to Monitor Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) Captured in Port Royal Sound
    DNR is working with recreational fishermen to catch and tag Cobia (Rachycentron Canadum) in South Carolina. A pop-off satellite tag will record temperature, depth and location every few minutes for 30 days to 90 days and then beam that information to a satellite.

  3. Life History Parameters of Kept Versus Discarded Fish
    DNR is working with local commercial fishermen conducting independent research on the life history parameters of kept versus discarded red porgy, scamp and vermillion snapper. The purpose of the study is to determine whether current size restrictions are not only helping younger, smaller fish survive to reproduction age, but also all smaller fish regardless of age.

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