Abundance Data
A comparison of fish and invertebrate catch rates established during baseline and post-disturbance time periods.
Trap and Fish Pot Surveys
Trap and fish pot surveys sample demersal invertebrates and fish within the size selectivity of the gear that is used.
Traps and pots are selective gear that are generally used to monitor crustaceans (lobsters and crabs) and bottom-dwelling fish, e.g., black sea bass.
Traps and pots are baited to attract target species, which limits bycatch of other taxa. This fixed-gear type is well-suited to conducting gradient monitoring designs that sample at increasing distances from a focal point, such as a wind turbine foundation. Gradient designs are used to test the “artificial reef” effect that suggests abundances of structure-oriented species increase in areas with introduced complex habitat.
Inspire uses trap surveys to sample lobster and crabs, assessing and comparing multiple metrics (e.g., catch rates, size distributions, disease prevalence, claw number, and reproductive status) across time periods to evaluate potential project effects. Inspire uses fish pot surveys to assess catch rates at increasing distances from wind turbine foundations.
Related Projects
South Fork Offshore Wind Project
Inspire is partnering with Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation (CFRF) to conduct a demersal fish survey at South Fork Wind Farm using fish pots and a gradient design to determine whether an “artificial reef” effect occurs following the introduction of wind turbine foundations and scour protection layers that create structurally complex habitat.
Sampling demersal fish and crustaceans
Potential metrics for analysis
Distribution Data
A comparison of fish and invertebrate distribution patterns established during baseline and post-disturbance time periods.
A comparison of fish and invertebrate distribution patterns established during baseline and post-disturbance time periods.
Disease Prevalence
Individuals showing signs of shell disease may reflect stress, poor environmental conditions, or the presence of pathogens in the area.
Individuals showing signs of shell disease may reflect stress, poor environmental conditions, or the presence of pathogens in the area.
Size Distributions
Changes to size distributions may indicate a change in habitat use.
Changes to size distributions may indicate a change in habitat use.
Reproductive Status
Maintenance of seasonal reproductive cycles is indicative of healthy populations.
Maintenance of seasonal reproductive cycles is indicative of healthy populations.
Claw Status
The prevalence of lobsters and crabs missing claws can be an indication of stress, fishing pressure, or agonistic encounters experienced in the area being surveyed.
The prevalence of lobsters and crabs missing claws can be an indication of stress, fishing pressure, or agonistic encounters experienced in the area being surveyed.
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