Summary of Trips

Two trips were made during the fiscal month of August, 1993. On August 28, a trip was made to Tug Boat "Grantee" at the Rigs to Reef Site FH-7. Observations were compared with those made on the nearby Jumbo Barge last month. A visit was also made to the "LEO" in FH-6 but was fruitless due to zero water visibility. On September 6, a trip was made to the newly created Rubble #8 in the Bill Walker Site (FH-2) as part of a series of progressive reef developmental visits.

FH-7 The Tug "Grantee"

Sunk six years ago on August 6, 1987, this vessel is in about 128 feet of water at Loran LOPs 12532.8, 46922.5, putting it about 36 nautical miles South of Petit Bois Island. Observations revealed a healthy population of juvenile red snapper (1-4lbs, 100-150 count) and triggerfish (1-3lbs, 50-75 count) as well as a single three pound scamp. It was interesting that no amberjack were sighted as they were on earlier visits. This observation coupled with those showing decreased numbers of these fish on the Jumbo Barge and nearby oil structures may indicated over-fishing of this species and the remaining amberjack's preference for higher relief structures. The Tug would be considered middle relief (10 feet) when compared to the Jumbo Barge (25 feet) and the Deck Barge (5 feet) which never held amberjack.

It is worth noting here that a tagged amberjack was recaptured this month by Mark Martino of D'Iberville. Tagged by Mark Miller of Gautier on August 9, 1992, at 22.8 inches TL, Martino recaptured it over a year later on August 28, 1993 at 37 inches TL. Both locations were the same, the Jumbo Barge. This may indicated residency or a return "passing through" during migration. Continual sightings of these fish year round have supported the residency theory. The growth rate of over one inch per month is unexpectedly high, but is also supported by the only other amberjack recapture in our files which showed over 1.2 inches per month growth rate. That fish reportedly grew from 23 inches on May 6, 1991 to 40 inches on July 17, 1992. Certainly more data is needed to verify the high growth rate of these sport fish.

Growth and Invertebrate observations consisted mostly of Hydra & Cucumbers. There are several small coral patches in the FH-7 area, but the coral is not thriving on the structure here as was hoped for. The bottom is hard and the vessel doesn't seem to be turtling into it as has been noted at the Tug "Leo" in FH-6.

FH-1 Buoy Inspection

After a visit to the "Leo" in FH-6 (Deep Liberty Ships), and only being able to feel the structure in zero visibility, a trip was made to inspect the FH-1 marker buoy since it rises less than a foot above the water surface. The inspection revealed no flaws but only a considerable amount of marine fouling. It is believed that this growth on the buoy and chain is causing additional weight that causes the buoy to submerge.

FH-2 Rubble #8

This reef was created on May 5, 1993 and consists of concrete rubble from the old Sears Town shopping center in Pascagoula and from Mississippi Power Company, Plant Daniel. It is in 55 feet of water with a least depth reading of 37 feet due to the 8' X 20' culvert which landed vertically. The Loran position is 12433.2, 47044.5.

An initial observation of the reef was made after 3 days of age on May 8. The observations revealed it completely void of marine life except for one remora clinging to the towering culvert. Successive trips have been made about twice a month since showing a steadily increasing population of juveniles. After about three months of age, a strong population of keeper size snapper appeared causing the reef to rival neighboring existing reefs of over 3 years of age. It only seemed to lack those few larger four to ten pound snapper that show up on the older reefs. The snapper population has increased a little more this trip with an estimated 200-250 fish in the 1-3 pound class. The Triggers were estimated at 75-100 count, Spades at 150-200, and only single digit counts of sheepshead and black snapper. In addition, a gag grouper of about two pounds and a warsaw grouper of about eight pounds were sighted on both the July 24 trip and on this trip September 6. An additional gag was sighted on this recent trip estimated at about 5 pounds.

The July 24 trip revealed a school of small amberjack that were not seen on this visit. The July 24 trip showed Triggerfish nesting on the bottom. A few nest burrows were observed on this trip, but no fish or eggs were associated with them. Some new homes, believed to be eel burrows, have appeared. Of interest was a school of 15-18 mangrove snapper in the 3-6 pound class cruising the rubble on the bottom. These fish are typically seen in the first 15 feet of the water column around oil platforms. There were still numerous juvenile gamefish (<6 inches) such as snapper, triggers, and what appeared to be white trout. Bait fish such as pin fish and tom tates were quite prevalent. Hi-tops were also common (small black & white tropical fish). Invertebrate and gastropod sightings were limited to an occasional murex.

Fish Tagging Update

Since the March 10, 1993 overall tagging summary there have been 187 new records added bringing our total records to 3,567. This is well below our average of about 1,000 per year showing a declined interest in tag placement. There have been 42 new recaptures of which 5 were recaptured for the second time. This is well above our average showing increased fishing pressure and public awareness. This brings our total recaptures to 201 (21% increase) and second recaptures to 11 (45% increase). Our overall rate of returns is now 5.7% up from 4.9%.

Only 35 of the recaptures provided useful data due to erroneous or no measurements being taken. Several respondents indicated not noticing the tag until the fish was cleaned. From the useful data, the days at liberty ranged from 61 to 400 with an average of 187 days. The growth rate average was .39 inch per month. Of interest was the amberjack mentioned earlier in this report. Also Bob Mosley of Vancleave reported the recapture of two snapper that were at liberty for 400 days. The fish were caught on the Northwest Barge (OR3808) in FH-2 which was sunk September 2, 1992. One moved from the nearby Waterspout and grew from 16 to 19 inches while the other moved from nearby Module #55 and grew from 14 to 15.5 inches. While the growth rates were below average, it is interesting to see movement to this larger structure from different nearby structures. Skip Turner of Gulfport reported the recapture of eight snapper originally tagged by Ken Dropco. He caught all on the same day at the same reef. One of the fish moved from the Deep Ships (FH-6) to the Rubble Barge in FH-1 and was its second recapture. Another moved from Rubble #1 to the Rubble Barge, both within FH-1. Persons reporting fish include Brad White of Diamondhead, Doug Casentino, Ken Dropco, Doug Rider, Don Fairley, Kim Everett, and Charles Holman, all of Ocean Springs, Chris Holland, and Clinton Hull of Pascagoula, Bob Mosley of Vancleave, Joe Couch of Lucedale, Sigurd Smeby of Pensacola (a commercial processor), Alvin Baker of Biloxi, Mark Martino of D'Iberville, Skip Turner of Gulfport, Kenny Barhanovich of Biloxi, Mark Miller of Gautier, and Jon Talbot.