A. Brief Project Overview:
The Science Consortium For Ocean Replenishment And Enhancement (SCORE) is a science-based approach to stocking hatchery-reared marine organisms to help rebuild depleted marine fisheries (marine fisheries enhancement). SCORE scientists are conducting research to resolve critical uncertainties about the effectiveness of culture-based marine enhancement as a fishery management tool. It is anticipated that significant progress will be made in the next five years, leading to greater and greater success from marine enhancement programs in the U.S.

As scientific gains are made in understanding the potential, SCORE scientists are partnering with NMFS and regional fishery-management agencies to develop policy and apply fishery-enhancement science to rebuilding depleted coastal stocks. Linkages with local fishing communities provide the cadre of citizens needed to support and expand enhancement as a fishery management strategy. Much of the enhancement technology developed here will be supported by funds generated by contributions and license fees paid by stakeholders and user groups. To fully embrace and use the marine enhancement concept, demonstrated success stories are needed in a few key states. SCORE research is planned and coordinated to achieve such successes. Built around the principles of a responsible approach to marine stock enhancement (Blankenship and Leber; and see Leber, 2002), SCORE scientists are conducting key experiments to resolve critical uncertainties about how to control the biological, ecological, and economic effectiveness of marine fisheries enhancement.

SCORE is an R&D initiative conducted by a consortium of national partners. It is a powerful alliance of scientists and fishery managers currently working in the field of marine stock enhancement in the U.S.A., which encourages improved utilization of their expertise and resources. Bringing these scientists and managers together through SCORE allows synergisms to develop that would not occur otherwise.

SCORE research commenced in the summer of 2002. This interim report covers progress made during the period July 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002.

B. Project Accomplishments:

a. Tasks scheduled for this period
i. Develop snook-aquaculture production technology
ii. Develop optimal stocking strategies for snook
iii. Evaluate the effectiveness of snook enhancement
iv. Develop habitat/release model for winter flounder
v. Develop marine fish culture policy
vi. Complete genetic population analysis on lingcod
vii. Collect economic data
viii. Develop risk/benefit models

b. Tasks accomplished this period:
i. Develop snook broodstock diets (Primary responsibility: Mote Marine Laboratory)
Advances in common snook aquaculture technology are needed to provide juvenile snook for the stock enhancement research conducted by Mote Marine Laboratory’s (MML) Center for Fisheries Enhancement.

The objectives for this production season were:
to increase larval survival through improved nutrition
to increase larval and fingerling production by reducing high mortality rates attributed to cannibalism
to develop methods to prevent deformities attributed to lordosis
to develop reliable ways to determine and predict egg quality in wild broodstock

The summer (i.e. spawning) season for 2002 began with several months’ worth of planning and construction. New spawning systems were designed and built, along with retrofitting our old systems with better biofiltration, sterilization and mechanical filtration. In 2001, we had a high incidence of lordosis in the cultured fish stocks. Therefore, a number of experiments were designed to determine the cause and reduce the incidence of lordosis in the early larval development stages in 2002.

During the summer, 2002, 26 spawning attempts were conducted at 10 locations. 11 of these attempts resulted in collection of fertilized eggs. More than 852 snook were captured. 158 of these were females and of these, 65 were used for spawning. 107 males were used to fertilize the eggs collected for rearing. In addition to localized trips around Sarasota, two trips were taken outside of the area to Charolette Harbor and Jupiter Inlet on the East coast late September. No fertilized eggs were obtained from these samples however.

Egg quality for the summer of 2002 was much worse than in the previous year when comparing 3-day survival rates. 23 tanks were stocked with eggs in 2002 and only 8 of these survived to first feeding. This is less than 35%, compared to 100% in 2001, and 88% in 2000. Similar methods and protocols for egg disinfection and incubation have been used in previous years. The single, most apparent impact on egg quality for 2002 could be correlated with the consistently high levels of red tide observed throughout the year. When comparing 2002 with the previous two years, we see that although red tide was present in 2000 and 2001, its occurrence was not seen until late in the summer or following the snook spawning season. In 2002, high levels of red tide were found from January through September. High snook mortality was observed by Mote’s Fisheries Enhancement biologists the previous year in September 2001 where over 1200 adult snook carcasses (red tide mortalities) were counted measured and checked for tags on the local beaches. The number of large females collected in spawning balls appeared to be much lower in 2002 than in previous years.

While the summer of 2002 was not a strong year for snook production, it was an important year in establishing a baseline of data for future years. Data was collected on spawning activity in relation to moon and tide cycles, age of spawning females was determined by scale collection, egg quality was compared for different collection sites, and egg and larval development were documented using photo microscopy.

Much was learned this summer and fall and research progresses as planned. Hatched snook were held for grow-out to tagging size (for releases in spring 2003) in recirculating systems at the Mote Aquaculture facility.

ii. Develop optimal stocking strategies for snook
Fishery independent sampling to test and evaluate a snook stock enhancement prototype in nursery habitats: Follow-up sampling in Bowlees Creek, Whitaker Bayou, North Creek, and South Creek continued as planned with 120 seine pulls performed for the August sample and 120 seine pulls during October/November. These efforts are part of a study that is aimed at determining if snook abundance can be increased by manipulating recruitment through releases of hatchery-reared snook.

A manuscript entitled “Adapting tag technology toward stock enhancement of the common snook, Centropomus undecimalus” was submitted to the North American Journal of Fisheries Management. This document summarized tag experimentation work from through 2002.

iii. Evaluate the effectiveness of snook enhancement
FISHERY INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF ADULT HABITAT TO IDENTIFY RECRUITMENT OF HATCHERY SNOOK TO THE ADULT POPULATIONS.

Fishery independent assessment of adult habitat to identify recruitment of hatchery snook to adult populations: During the summer of 2002, sampling along beaches, and passes (in adult snook habitat) was conducted to evaluate hatchery snook contribution to the adult populations. Over 800 snook were captured during these efforts.

Fishery dependent sampling of snook populations in Sarasota Bay: 5th annual “Snook Shindig”
On October 4-5, 2002 Mote Stock Enhancement Researchers of the Snook Program and the Snook Foundatioin held the 5th annual snook shindig. The tournament remained a private fishing derby. The invited participants of the tournament included previous tournament anglers, and friends of the MML who are snook enthusiasts, and some local fishing guides. A $25.00 entry fee was implemented.

The specific goals of the Snook Shindig were the same as in previous years tournaments and were to:
1 - promote angler awareness and enthusiasm of the stock enhancement program, and the Snook Foundation’s research activities,
2 - allow stock enhancement researchers to further develop a working relationship with local fishermen,
3 - allow researchers to collect important dispersal information on the tagged and released snook in Sarasota Bay and its surrounding waters,
4 - allow researchers to collect important angling CPUE data of the hatchery snook,
5 - allow researchers to collect contribution rates of hatchery snook from different areas of Sarasota Bay and its surrounding waters,
6 - allow researchers to collect growth and condition data from both wild and hatchery snook,
7 - attain a relative contribution effect of hatchery-released snook to wild snook populations among years.

The Captain’s Meeting started at 6:00pm on October 4, with Staff Biologist, Roger DeBruler Jr. and Howard Wells (Executive director, Snook Foundation) welcoming the participants to the tournament. Senior Biologist, Nate Brennan followed with the explanation of the tournament rules and point system. Then Dr. Ken Leber from MML, Bill Halstead and John Ransier from FWC/SERF, and Howard Wells from Snook Foundation were introduced. Vicki Fritz, Abbey Warner, Brett Blackburn and Greg Wahl from MML’s Stock Enhancement Program, and tournament volunteers were present. Over 60 anglers were present at the Captain’s Meeting. “Lines in the water” started at 7:30 pm October 4, 2000 and the tournament was officially over at 12:00 pm October 5, 2002.

Special Authorization Permits:
Special authorization permits were issued among the 61 anglers who attended the captains meeting. One permit was issued to each fishing “group” and allowed participating anglers to hold undersized snook until an official checked the catch. This permit was only valid for the duration of the tournament.

Weigh-in Stations: The following were the weigh-in stations set up for catch recording and tag checks. These “stations” were mobile units that approached anglers when called for to check catches.

Location Albee Bridge to Venice Blackburn/South Creek MNP to Blackburn Phillipi Creek Area Big Pass/New Pass - Roaming Big Pass/ New Pass Sarasota Bay Sarasota Bay Bowlees Creek/ Whitaker Bayou Tidy Island/Longboat Key

Manned By Nate Brennan, Mike Andre Howard Wells Greg Wahl Vicki Fritz, Lanney Mooney Abbey Warner, Bill Bancroft Chuck MacTavish, Dennis Medved Brett Blackburn Ken Leber, Bill Halstead Maryann Highham, John Ransier Roger DeBruler Jr., Carlos Cabos

All stations were manned for the entire tournament. Snook landed were checked for the presence of tags and all pertinent information recorded.

Results:
During the tournament, 195 snook were caught and recorded by our weigh-in stations. Ten tagged snook were captured and of these 8 were hatchery-reared snook (4.1%). Tagged snook were identified by the presence of the coded-wire tag (CWT) and some also contained a visible internal elastomer tag (VIE). The decoded CWTs revealed that hatchery snook from the previous four release years were captured (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002). The largest hatchery snook was 24.8 inches FL. All wild snook were released after processing.

Sponsors List:
Cannon’s Marina
Mister Twister
Discount Tackle
Mr. CB’s Saltwater Outfitters
Economy Tackle
New Pass Grill and Bait Shop
Island Juice and Java Deli Café
Old Salty Dog
Lure Eye’s
Ocean Pro Dive Shop
Mad Fish Grill
Suffix
Marine Max (Gulfwind)
Xplores
Mel’s Diner

Winners List: The following anglers received the most points from the tournament and therefore were considered “winners” and received prizes:
Jerry Claxton (1)
Cathy Smith (2)
John Schultz (3)

In this derby every angler wins when they capture and release a snook for research.

Summary:
Overall, the 5th Annual 2002 “Snook Shindig” was very successful. Angler participation was greater than any other year and the number of snook caught was the second highest among all tournament years. The invitation method worked very well with successful and trusted anglers participating. The CWT wand detectors and upright detectors used in this tournament were lent by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (8 wands, 2 upright detectors). Without these the tournament would not have been possible.

The anglers and volunteers had a great time. The prizes that were awarded included trophies, guided snook fishing tours, SCUBA certification, snook prints, fishing tackle, coolie cups, hats, tee shirts, and gift certificates. The help and participation from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in St. Petersburg, Port Manatee, all the Sponsors, and all the Volunteers was instrumental in setting up and accomplishing this derby. Without their help and generosity this derby would not have occurred.

Renovations of the stock-enhancement wet lab facility:
Due to the poor state of our fisheries center wet lab, renovations are currently being made. This facility will house juvenile fishes for grow out, tagging experiments and others. 9 separate recirculating systems are planned in this system with approximately 34 tanks for fish holding. Tanks volumes range from 900 - 180 gallons. All systems will have the capability to run as recirculating systems. Each recirculating system will consist of a fluidized sand bed, a protein skimmer, a cartridge filter, UV lighting, and a trickle filter. A heating and chilling system is also being installed for the entire system.

iv. Develop habitat/release model for winter flounder (Primary responsibility: University of New Hampshire)
Improving Marine Finfish Stock Enhancement Programs Through the Use of Habitat Suitability Index Modeling -- The objective of this research is to use Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) modeling to predict appropriate release locations for winter flounder in the Great Bay Estuary of New Hampshire. Habitat variables used in the modeling have included temperature, salinity, depth, substrate type, prey availability, and predator abundance. Individual variables, as well as the HSI values, will be layered in a geographic information system (GIS) to produce habitat maps that should be useful in choosing release locations. We have made excellent progress, and are on schedule to complete the study soon.

To gain an understanding of the importance of different prey species, an Index of Relative Importance (IRI) has been calculated for each prey item. Eleven prey taxa made up >97% of the diet. For these, we have also examined if, and how, their importance changed with different sized fish (50-100, 101-150, 151-200, 201-250, and 251mm and larger). Three size categories of fish have also been used to compare the diets at different sites and different seasons.

A remaining goal of the research is to test the HSI model predictions. We intend to do this by conducting in-situ growth and survival trials. Winter flounder juveniles that will be used for this are still being produced.

v. Develop marine fish culture policy
State of Washington:
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has prioritized culture system development of Pacific Cod over releases of lingcod to evaluate ecology, population status and species interactions. Work with genetic structure and habitat preference, however, proceeded as planned for lingcod.

Florida:
In line with the short and long-term objectives of strategic planning for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s marine stock enhancement program, several steps have been made toward (1) improving the effectiveness of the Department’s marine stock enhancement program, (2) adapting and refining the aspects of a “Responsible Approach to Marine Stock Enhancement” (Blankenship and Leber, 1995) that have not yet been fully implemented in Florida, and (3) identifying and prioritizing potential marine fish species for stock enhancement in Florida. Dr. Ken Leber has been working closely with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Stock Enhancement program to further our partnership in stock enhancement. Leber has continued to work closely in developing and implementing pilot releases and nursery sampling of experimental juvenile red drum released made in Tampa Bay. Leber also attended several FWC staff meetings, and additional meetings with Bill Halstead, at the FWC Stock Enhancement Research Facility to assist as needed in planning and coordinating ongoing State of Florida stock enhancement efforts.

vi. Complete genetic population analysis on lingcod (Primary responsibility: WDFW)
Work proceeded as planned and will be detailed in the final report.

vii. Collect economic data (all species)
No work was conducted during this report period.

viii. Develop risk/benefit models (all species)
No work was conducted during this report period.

References Cited
Blankenship, H. L. and K. M. Leber. 1995. A responsible approach to marine stock enhance-ment. In Uses and effects of cultured fishes in aquatic ecosystems. American Fisheries Society Sympo-sium 15:165-175.

Leber, K. M. 2002. Advances in marine stock enhancement: shifting emphasis to theory and accountability. Pp 79-90 In Stickney, R. R. and J. P. McVey (eds) Responsible Marine Aquaculture CABI Publishing, New York.