Summary of Trips

During the fiscal month of October, three trips were made. One on October 14 to verify more module numbers, one on October 16 to sink the "Leo" (a Tug Boat), and one on October 21 to inspect the "Leo" and then verify more module numbers. It was planned to move the FH-2 Buoy back on location, but efforts to locate it failed.

During the past month 200 fish were tagged and released. Four previously tagged fish was reported recaptured. One of these being a GCRL tagged Cobia.

Verified Module Locations

The first pass of verifying all the module locations is now complete. The results are attached to the end of this report.

A total of 83 modules and 92 separate targets were spotted during the project of November 1989. Thirty-seven targets consisting of 38 modules exist on the Horn Island Barge site (FH-1), and 55 targets consisting of 45 modules exist on the Bill Walker site (FH-2). Several modules busted up as they were deployed thereby making multiple targets. A few modules went over two at a time making a single target. Out of the 92 targets, all have been located except for nine. Return trips will be made for a more exhaustive search. Four of these consist of minimal material such as broken debris being swept off the barge or a small piece of culvert. In addition, work is needed to survey the layout of the "SouthEast Modules". These last twelve modules were bunched together at the southeast corner of the Bill Walker site (FH-2). Because of the close proximity to each other it was deemed better to wait for a later date to survey the entire group of modules as one reef.

The project is proving to be a tremendous success. Red Snapper are already overwhelmingly abundant on the reefs. By spreading the material out over a large area of bottom they should see much less fishing pressure. Higher snapper concentrations seem to exist in some areas where the modules are spaced within a couple hundred feet of each other. This also makes it easier to drift fish over them.

Observations have shown the broken up modules to be much more effective as a nursery. They attract more bait fish and small juveniles. The larger fish are slower to appear but eventually do. The unbroken whole modules generally attract larger but fewer fish and very few bait fish. One exception was noted in FH-1 where a module with a top on it had openings on every wall and attracted many snapper (but still few bait fish). It is in the vicinity of several other modules, however, and each of their condition has not yet been examined. It has been obvious that the fish preferred horizontal water flow through the reef. Therefore tops over the modules are a deterrent unless there are several openings on all sides.

The "Leo"

This 90' X 22' Tug boat was provided and sunk by Colle Towing of Pascagoula on October 16, 1990 at 11:03 A.M. The project went very smoothly with the Tug taking 47½ minutes to fill up with water and sink. She was deposited on the Deep Liberty Ship site at LORAN Coordinates 12355.5-.6, 47030.7, and 29517.5-.6. She landed on her starboard side with the bow pointing generally north and slightly west as shown on the orientation map attached to the end of this report. The bottom sounder showed the surrounding area depth at 58 feet with about 34 feet of water clearance over the top of the Tug. The bow itself measured exactly 20'-0" over the bottom. Surprisingly, several juvenile snapper and a bunch of bait fish were observed just five days after the sinking. Also the FH-6 buoy was still in place!

Fish Tagging Update

Last month 200 new fish were tagged and released while only four tagged fish were recaptured. Several larger snapper in the 16"-20" range were tagged this month in hopes to learn about these larger fish. All tags this month were placed by Mark Miller. About twice as many tags could have been placed had the supply not been depleted (an indication of how well the snapper have been biting lately!). Two thousand tags were ordered 6 weeks ago and were checked on this week. Floy Tag Company reported a large backlog and about a two week longer wait.

Mark Miller reports one snapper and one small cobia recaptured. The cobia had a GCRL tag and Jim Franks reports that he has yet to receive the release information. The fish measured 26.5"FL and 29.9"TL and was re-released.

While talking to Jim, he reported that Charlie Davis reported capturing one of our tagged red snapper on October 20. Charlie was reported to not disclose his capture location, but from the description it is believed to be the same it was released on. This fish was tagged during the Harrison County Board of Supervisors fishing trip. The high growth rate sheds some doubt on the accuracy of the recaptured measurement (as usual).

Also Kenny Barhanovich reported a recapture the day the "Leo" was sunk, but his fish was at the bottom of the box and its information is still pending arrival. Mark and Charlie's snapper are summarized below in Table One.

Tagged Fish Recaptures

(for past month of October)

Tag Number Date-1 Date-2 Size-1 Size-2 Growth Rate/Mo.

00599 8/18/9010/28/90 12.50" 14.30" 1.80" 0.76"

00918 09/13/9010/20/90 10.60" 13.50" 2.90" 2.35"

Table One