MMS ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM: ONGOING STUDIES
MMS OCS Region: Headquarters
Title: Worldwide Survey of Dredging Impacts on Commercial and Recreational Fisheries and Analysis of Available Mitigation Measures to Protect and Preserve Resources (NT-04-06)
Total Cost:

$250K

 Period of Performance:

FY 2004-2007
Conducting Organization:

EMU, Limited
MMS Contact:

Colleen Finnegan
Description:
Background

One of the primary uses of the OCS is fishing.  Sand shoals that are desirable as potential sand borrow areas for beach nourishment frequently are also focal points for various fisheries, both commercial and recreational. Areas identified as potential sources of offshore construction aggregate are also, in many cases, important commercial or recreational fishery zones. As the MMS sand and gravel program expands in scope, the necessity of managing offshore resources to support and sustain these multiple types of use is increasing.  

Due to the fact that there are large variations in fisheries at any given location, the physical settings in which dredging might occur, and the kinds of gear and methods used for fishing, analysis of a large cross-section of past studies is needed to aid the prediction of impacts and how those impacts may be mitigated. In addition, it is important to know how effective past mitigation measures have been in order to apply the most effective measures in projects regulated by MMS.
Objectives

The purpose of this study is to establish a background that can facilitate in assessing the environmental impacts of beach nourishment activities on commercial and recreational fisheries. In addition, the study will provide a comprehensive list of detailed migration measures that can be applied to avoid adverse impacts to fisheries that may be present in sand resource areas, regardless of geographic location.
Methods
A world-wide literature survey will be conducted that will entail analysis and review of the current literature base and other material from private, academic and governmental sources by qualified fisheries scientists and various marine experts. In addition, site visits by the study’s fishery scientist and dredging expert to identified dredging companies and regional and local fishing interests will be initiated to gain first-hand and in-depth knowledge of actual conflicts that have occurred in the United States and other parts of the world and mitigation techniques that have been applied, either successfully or not.  The visits within the dredging industry will allow for the collection of technological information relative to engineering and other mitigation that can practically be applied in the field and in real-world operating conditions.
Importance to MMS
The results will enable MMS, in its role of environmental manager and steward, to identify and minimize potential adverse impacts to commercial and recreational fisheries as a result of nourishment activities. This has been a major issue for many of the shoal areas which have been identified as sources of sand for nearby beach restoration projects.  The results will assist MMS decision-makers in developing appropriate lease stipulations to mitigate potential adverse impacts to fishery resources.
Current Status: A world-wide compilation and synthesis of existing information pertaining to fishery conflicts with dredging activities has been completed. Site visits to dredge areas have been completed for the U.S. east coast and for the U.K as well as an additional site visit in conjunction with a planned dredging activity on the west coast of Florida. The final report was submitted to MMS in September of 2007 and is available at, http://www.gomr.mms.gov/PI/PDFImages/ESPIS/4/4268.pdf
Final Report Submitted:

September 2006
Publications:
Affiliated WWW Sites: http://www.mms.gov/sandandgravel/OtherGenericStudies.htm
Revised date:

March 2008
ESPIS

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 Environmental Studies Program Information System