ML15314A313

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Biological Plan of Study Implementation, Final Report, EPU Baseline Data Report 7
ML15314A313
Person / Time
Site: Saint Lucie  NextEra Energy icon.png
Issue date: 11/30/2012
From:
Ecological Associates
To:
Florida Power & Light Co, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
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L-2015-260
Download: ML15314A313 (18)


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Florida Power & Light Company Biological Plan of Study Implementation for St. Lucie Plant EPU Baseline Event 7 Data Report Report to Florida Power & Light Company November 2012 Submitted by Ecological Associates, Inc.

Post Office Box 405 Jensen Beach, Florida

ECOLOGICAL ASSOCIATES, INC., JENSEN BEACH, FLORIDA INTRODUCTION During August 2012, Ecological Associates, Inc. (EAI) conducted the seventh baseline field sampling event in accordance with the St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Plan of Study. During this sixth event, sampling was conducted on four days between August 9 and August 17, 2012.

Data collected included general environmental data; water quality data; numbers and sizes of fish and shellfish collected by gill net, trawl, and beach seine; numbers of fish eggs and larvae and commercially or recreationally important decapod crustacean larvae collected by plankton net; and, numbers and sizes of sea turtles observed. Results of the seventh sampling event are provided in this report. All data should be considered preliminary until quality assurance checks have been completed.

SAMPLING LOCATIONS Sampling was conducted within three separate sampling sites: SL1 located midway between the St. Lucie Plant and the Ft. Pierce Inlet, SL2 located in the vicinity of the St. Lucie Plant cooling water discharge, and SL3 located midway between the St. Lucie Plant and the St. Lucie Inlet.

For the purposes of gill netting and trawling, three transects were established within each of the three sampling sites: Transect A was located approximately 600 ft from shore on the beach terrace in water depths of 8-32 ft, Transect B was located approximately 4,000 ft. from shore in water depths of 34-44 ft, and Transect C was located approximately 8,000 ft. from shore in water depths of 31-46 ft. Plankton samples were collected concurrently with trawl samples at all three sites but only on Transects A and C.

Three stations were also established within each of the three sampling sites for the purpose of beach seining: Station A was located 0.5 mi. north of the center of the site, Station B was located at the center of the site, and Station C was located 0.5 mi. south of the center of the site.

At all stations, seines were pulled to the beach from a water depth of approximately 4 ft.

For the purpose of boat-based sea turtle surveys, one transect was established in each of the three sampling sites. The transects were located along nearshore hardbottom habitat in each site.

RESULTS Environmental data were recorded at each station during each day of sampling. Data recorded included sea conditions, air temperature, wind speed and direction, and sky conditions.

Environmental data are summarized by day in Table 1. Values reflect the range of values recorded throughout each day of sampling.

Water quality data were recorded at three locations and three depths along each of the nine transects established for trawl and gill net sampling. Data recorded included specific conductivity, water temperature, salinity, pH, and dissolved oxygen (DO). Water quality data are provided in Table 2.

BASELINE EVENT 7 DATA REPORT, ST. LUCIE PLANT EPU BIOLOGICAL STUDY ECOLOGICAL ASSOCIATES, INC., JENSEN BEACH, FLORIDA 2

Trawls were towed for 15 minutes along each of the nine transects. The numbers of fish and commercially or recreationally important shellfish collected in each 15-minute tow are presented in Table 3. Because of variations in tow speed, the distances the trawl traveled during a 15-minute tow varied (based on GPS readings). In order to compare abundances among stations in terms of catch per unit effort, the numbers collected per kilometer of bottom sampled were calculated and are presented in Table 4.

The numbers of fish and commercially or recreationally important shellfish collected by gill net on each of the nine transects is given in Table 5. At each transect the gill net began to be retrieved 30 minutes after it was set. However, the total soak time (time from when the net first entered the water until the time it was completely removed from the water) varied among transects because of differences in retrieval times associated with variations in the number of fish present in the net. In order to compare abundances among stations in terms of catch per unit effort, the numbers collected per hour of total soak time were calculated and are given in Table

6.

Beach seines were deployed at each of the nine stations previously described. The numbers of fish and commercially or recreationally important shellfish collected at each station are presented in Table 7.

A maximum of 25 representative specimens of each Representative Important Species (RIS) of fish collected at each transect/station by trawl, gill net, and beach seine were measured (total length) and a batch weight for those specimens was obtained. Average lengths and average weights of each RIS at each station/transect for each gear type are presented in Table 8.

Bongo nets were used to collect fish eggs and larvae as well as commercially or recreationally important invertebrate larvae at each of the six transects previously described. Nets were pulled for 15 minutes and the volume of water filtered determined by means of flow meters. Numbers of individuals per cubic meter of water filtered are given in Table 9.

To quantify the number of sea turtles present in each of the three sampling sites, one one-kilometer-long transect in each sampling site was traversed by boat twice. The numbers of sea turtles sighted during each pass along each transect are presented in Table 10.

Table 1. Environmental Data, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study. Values reflect the range of values recorded throughout each day of sampling.

Sampling Date Sea Conditions Air Temp Wind Speed/Direction Sky Conditions Trawls/

Ichthyoplankton 8/7/2012 1-2 ft swell 26.5-27.5°C 3-7 mph/SE Clear to Partly Cloudy Trawls/

Ichthyoplankton 8/8/2012 1-3 ft swell 27.0-28.5°C 6-15 mph/SSE Clear to Partly Cloudy Gill Nets 8/7/2012 1-3 ft swell 28.9-32.0°C 3-10 mph/SE Partly Cloudy Gill Nets 8/8/2012 1-2 ft swell 29.0-34.0°C 3-5 mph/S to SE Partly Cloudy Beach Seines 8/17/2012 Calm to 1 ft swell 29.7-32.6°C 3-12 mph/W to E Clear to Mostly Cloudy Sea Turtle Transects 8/9/2012 1-2 ft swell 28.0-32.8°C 3-5 mph/SE to SSE Partly Cloudy

Table 2. Water Quality Data, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.

Transect Station Depth Specific Conductivity (mS/cm)

Water Temp (°C)

Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)

Trawl SL1 A North Surface 55.0 26.6 36.5 7.8 6.8 Mid-Depth 55.1 26.5 36.6 8.1 6.8 Bottom 55.1 25.7 36.7 8.1 7.0 Middle Surface 55.0 26.7 36.5 8.1 6.6 Mid-Depth 55.1 26.2 36.6 8.1 6.9 Bottom 55.1 26.0 36.6 8.1 6.8 South Surface 55.0 26.9 36.5 8.1 6.5 Mid-Depth 55.1 26.6 36.5 8.1 6.6 Bottom 55.2 25.5 36.5 8.1 6.9 Trawl SL1 B North Surface 55.1 25.6 36.5 8.1 6.8 Mid-Depth 55.3 23.0 36.5 8.1 7.0 Bottom 55.5 21.6 36.7 8.2 7.1 Middle Surface 55.1 25.5 36.5 8.1 7.3 Mid-Depth 55.4 22.1 36.7 8.1 7.2 Bottom 55.5 21.6 36.6 8.1 7.2 South Surface 55.0 25.5 36.5 7.9 7.1 Mid-Depth 55.3 22.7 36.6 8.1 7.0 Bottom 55.5 21.7 36.6 8.1 7.1 Trawl SL1 C North Surface 55.1 25.7 36.5 8.2 7.0 Mid-Depth 55.4 23.5 36.6 8.2 7.3 Bottom 55.5 21.3 36.6 8.2 7.3 Middle Surface 55.1 25.7 36.5 8.1 6.9 Mid-Depth 55.3 23.3 36.6 8.2 7.6 Bottom 55.5 21.3 36.6 8.2 7.4 South Surface 55.0 25.5 36.5 8.0 7.1 Mid-Depth 55.5 22.5 36.5 8.1 7.9 Bottom 55.5 21.3 36.6 8.1 7.4 Trawl SL2 A North Surface 55.1 25.0 36.6 8.2 6.6 Mid-Depth 55.2 24.8 36.5 8.2 6.6 Bottom 55.3 24.6 36.6 8.2 6.7 Middle Surface 55.1 25.0 36.5 8.2 6.7 Mid-Depth 55.2 24.5 36.5 8.2 6.9 Bottom 55.3 23.9 36.6 8.2 7.0 South Surface 55.1 25.1 36.5 8.1 7.1 Mid-Depth 55.2 24.6 36.6 8.1 6.8 Bottom 55.2 23.9 36.6 8.2 7.0

Table 2 (Continued). Water Quality Data, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.

Transect Station Depth Specific Conductivity (mS/cm)

Water Temp (°C)

Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)

Trawl SL2 B North Surface 55.1 25.5 36.5 8.2 7.2 Mid-Depth 55.3 24.2 36.6 8.2 7.3 Bottom 55.5 21.9 36.6 8.2 7.6 Middle Surface 55.1 25.4 36.6 8.2 7.0 Mid-Depth 55.5 22.0 36.6 8.2 7.6 Bottom 55.5 22.0 36.6 8.2 7.6 South Surface 55.1 25.4 36.5 8.1 7.2 Mid-Depth 55.2 24.0 36.5 8.2 7.4 Bottom 55.5 22.0 36.6 8.2 7.5 Trawl SL2 C North Surface 55.0 26.7 36.6 8.2 7.2 Mid-Depth 55.3 24.1 36.6 8.2 7.3 Bottom 55.4 22.1 36.6 8.2 7.2 Middle Surface 55.1 26.7 36.6 8.2 7.1 Mid-Depth 55.1 25.1 36.5 8.2 7.4 Bottom 55.4 22.3 36.6 8.2 7.3 South Surface 55.0 26.7 36.5 8.0 7.1 Mid-Depth 55.2 24.1 36.5 8.1 7.5 Bottom 55.4 21.8 36.5 8.1 7.0 Trawl SL3 A North Surface 55.0 26.2 36.5 8.2 7.1 Mid-Depth 55.0 26.1 36.5 8.2 7.0 Bottom 55.0 26.0 36.5 8.2 6.9 Middle Surface 55.0 26.4 36.5 8.1 6.8 Mid-Depth 55.0 26.2 36.5 8.2 6.9 Bottom 55.0 25.9 36.5 8.2 7.0 South Surface 54.9 26.4 36.4 8.1 7.1 Mid-Depth 54.9 26.4 36.4 8.1 7.0 Bottom 55.0 26.2 36.4 8.1 6.9 Trawl SL3 B North Surface 55.0 25.6 36.5 8.2 7.0 Mid-Depth 55.3 23.0 36.5 8.2 7.2 Bottom 55.4 21.8 36.5 8.1 6.4 Middle Surface 55.1 25.7 36.5 8.2 7.0 Mid-Depth 55.2 22.9 36.5 8.2 7.2 Bottom 55.4 21.9 36.5 8.2 6.4 South Surface 55.0 25.6 36.5 8.2 7.2 Mid-Depth 55.3 22.7 36.5 8.2 7.1 Bottom 55.4 21.8 36.5 8.2 6.5

Table 2 (Continued). Water Quality Data, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.

Transect Station Depth Specific Conductivity (mS/cm)

Water Temp (°C)

Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)

Trawl SL3 C North Surface 55.1 25.7 36.5 8.2 7.1 Mid-Depth 55.4 22.5 36.6 8.2 7.3 Bottom 55.5 21.0 36.6 8.2 6.9 Middle Surface 55.1 25.7 36.5 8.2 7.1 Mid-Depth 55.4 22.6 36.6 8.2 7.4 Bottom 55.5 21.0 36.6 8.2 6.9 South Surface 55.1 25.6 36.6 8.2 7.1 Mid-Depth 55.4 22.7 36.6 8.2 7.5 Bottom 55.5 21.2 36.6 8.2 6.7 Gill Net SL1 A West Surface 55.2 24.6 36.6 8.1 6.9 Mid-Depth 55.3 23.6 36.6 8.1 7.2 Bottom 55.4 23.3 36.6 8.1 6.8 Middle Surface 55.3 24.5 36.5 8.1 6.8 Mid-Depth 55.3 23.6 36.6 8.1 7.4 Bottom 55.4 23.2 36.6 8.1 6.9 East Surface 55.1 24.5 36.6 7.9 6.9 Mid-Depth 55.3 23.5 36.6 8.0 7.2 Bottom 55.4 22.8 36.6 8.0 6.9 Gill Net SL1 B West Surface 55.2 24.6 36.6 8.2 7.2 Mid-Depth 55.3 23.4 36.6 8.2 7.4 Bottom 55.5 21.7 36.6 8.2 7.6 Middle Surface 55.4 24.6 36.5 8.2 7.2 Mid-Depth 55.4 23.3 36.6 8.2 7.4 Bottom 55.5 21.7 36.6 8.2 7.7 East Surface 55.0 24.8 36.4 8.0 7.4 Mid-Depth 55.3 23.2 36.6 8.1 7.4 Bottom 55.5 21.6 36.6 8.2 7.7 Gill Net SL1 C West Surface 55.2 25.0 36.6 8.2 7.1 Mid-Depth 55.2 24.4 36.5 8.2 7.1 Bottom 55.6 21.2 36.6 8.2 7.6 Middle Surface 55.1 24.9 36.6 8.1 7.2 Mid-Depth 55.2 24.4 36.5 8.1 7.2 Bottom 55.5 21.1 36.6 8.2 7.6 East Surface 55.0 25.0 36.3 7.7 7.5 Mid-Depth 55.2 24.4 36.5 8.0 7.4 Bottom 55.6 21.1 36.6 8.1 7.8

Table 2 (Continued). Water Quality Data, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.

Transect Station Depth Specific Conductivity (mS/cm)

Water Temp (°C)

Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)

Gill Net SL2 A West Surface 55.1 25.7 36.5 8.1 6.9 Mid-Depth 55.2 24.5 36.4 8.1 7.0 Bottom 55.2 24.0 36.6 8.2 7.1 Middle Surface 55.0 25.8 36.5 8.1 7.0 Mid-Depth 55.1 24.3 36.5 8.1 7.2 Bottom 55.2 23.8 36.5 8.1 7.2 East Surface 55.0 25.5 36.5 7.2 7.4 Mid-Depth 55.1 24.3 36.5 7.9 7.5 Bottom 55.2 23.6 36.4 8.1 7.4 Gill Net SL2 B West Surface 55.1 25.7 36.5 8.2 7.0 Mid-Depth 55.2 24.2 36.5 8.2 7.1 Bottom 55.3 24.0 36.6 8.2 7.3 Middle Surface 55.0 25.9 36.5 8.1 7.4 Mid-Depth 55.1 24.4 36.6 8.1 7.4 Bottom 55.1 23.8 36.5 8.2 7.6 East Surface 55.0 25.9 36.5 7.8 7.4 Mid-Depth 55.1 24.4 36.5 8.0 7.7 Bottom 55.1 24.1 36.5 8.1 7.6 Gill Net SL2 C West Surface 55.2 25.7 36.6 8.2 7.0 Mid-Depth 55.1 24.5 36.6 8.2 7.3 Bottom 55.4 22.3 36.6 8.2 7.4 Middle Surface 55.2 25.6 36.6 8.1 7.2 Mid-Depth 55.3 25.0 36.7 8.2 7.3 Bottom 55.5 22.1 36.6 8.1 7.5 East Surface 55.1 25.7 36.5 7.8 7.2 Mid-Depth 55.3 25.0 36.7 8.0 7.4 Bottom 55.4 22.4 36.6 8.1 7.6 Gill Net SL3 A West Surface 55.1 25.7 36.5 8.2 7.0 Mid-Depth 55.1 24.8 36.6 8.2 7.3 Bottom 55.2 24.7 36.6 8.2 7.4 Middle Surface 55.1 25.4 36.6 8.2 7.2 Mid-Depth 55.2 24.9 36.6 8.2 7.2 Bottom 55.2 24.3 36.5 8.2 7.2 East Surface 55.1 25.5 36.6 8.0 7.3 Mid-Depth 55.1 25.1 36.5 8.1 7.3 Bottom 55.2 23.7 36.6 8.1 7.1

Table 2 (Continued). Water Quality Data, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.

Transect Station Depth Specific Conductivity (mS/cm)

Water Temp (°C)

Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)

Gill Net SL3 B West Surface 55.2 26.2 36.6 8.2 6.9 Mid-Depth 55.3 23.4 36.6 8.2 7.3 Bottom 55.4 22.7 36.6 8.2 6.9 Middle Surface 55.1 26.2 36.6 8.2 7.0 Mid-Depth 55.3 23.6 36.6 8.2 7.4 Bottom 55.4 22.6 36.5 8.1 6.9 East Surface 55.1 26.2 36.6 7.2 7.0 Mid-Depth 55.3 23.2 36.5 8.0 7.4 Bottom 55.3 22.6 36.5 8.1 7.0 Gill Net SL3 C West Surface 55.0 27.5 36.6 8.2 6.8 Mid-Depth 55.3 24.4 36.6 8.2 7.4 Bottom 55.4 22.2 36.6 8.2 7.5 Middle Surface 54.9 27.3 36.5 8.2 6.9 Mid-Depth 55.3 24.1 36.6 8.2 7.4 Bottom 55.4 22.2 36.6 8.2 7.4 East Surface 54.9 27.2 36.4 7.7 7.0 Mid-Depth 55.1 24.5 36.6 8.1 7.6 Bottom 55.3 22.3 36.5 8.1 7.4

Table 3. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish and Commercially or Recreationally Important Shellfish Captured by Trawl during One 15-minute Tow at Each Station, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.

TAXON SL1 SL2 SL3 TOTAL A

B C

A B

C A

B C

Arenaeus cribrarius (speckled swimming crab) 1 1

Farfantepenaeus duorarum (pink shrimp) 8 1

7 16 Rimapenaeus sp.

3 6

6 15 Bothus robinsi (twospot flounder) 10 10 Citharichthys macrops (spotted whiff) 5 3

5 13 Decapterus punctatus (round scad) 2 2

Eucinostomus gula (silver jenny) 34 3

3 40 Eucinostomus harengulus (tidewater mojarra) 1 1

Eucinostomus jonesii (slender mojarra) 8 1

9 Haemulon aurolineatum (tomtate) 53 10 63 Lutjanus synagris (lane snapper) 2 2

4 Prionotus rubio (blackwing searobin) 1 1

Umbrina coroides (sand drum) 45 2

6 53 TOTAL 159 2

0 9

0 18 40 0

0 228

Table 4. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish and Commercially or Recreationally Important Shellfish Captured per Kilometer by Trawl at Each Station, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study. (Note: Totals in the right column represent the number of individuals captured per kilometer for all nine transects.)

TAXON SL1 SL2 SL3 TOTAL A

B C

A B

C A

B C

Arenaeus cribrarius (speckled swimming crab) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.29 0.00 0.00 0.15 Farfantepenaeus duorarum (pink shrimp) 11.64 0.00 0.00 1.31 0.00 0.00 9.03 0.00 0.00 2.37 Rimapenaeus sp.

4.37 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 9.63 7.74 0.00 0.00 2.22 Bothus robinsi (twospot flounder) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 16.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.48 Citharichthys macrops (spotted whiff) 7.28 0.00 0.00 3.94 0.00 0.00 6.45 0.00 0.00 1.93 Decapterus punctatus (round scad) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.21 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.30 Eucinostomus gula (silver jenny) 49.48 0.00 0.00 3.94 0.00 0.00 3.87 0.00 0.00 5.93 Eucinostomus harengulus (tidewater mojarra) 1.46 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.15 Eucinostomus jonesii (slender mojarra) 11.64 1.30 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.33 Haemulon aurolineatum (tomtate) 77.14 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 12.89 0.00 0.00 9.34 Lutjanus synagris (lane snapper) 2.91 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.58 0.00 0.00 0.59 Prionotus rubio (blackwing searobin) 0.00 1.30 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.15 Umbrina coroides (sand drum) 65.49 0.00 0.00 2.63 0.00 0.00 7.74 0.00 0.00 7.86 TOTAL 231.41 2.60 0.00 11.83 0.00 28.89 51.58 0.00 0.00 33.80

Table 5. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish and Commercially or Recreationally Important Shellfish Captured by Gill Net at Each Station, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.

TAXON SL1 SL2 SL3 TOTAL A

B C

A B

C A

B C

Anisotremus virginicus (porkfish) 7 7

Caranx crysos (blue runner) 2 2

6 2

3 1

16 Carcharhinus acronotus (blacknose shark) 1 1

Centropristis striata (striped sea bass) 3 3

Citharichthys macrops (spotted whiff) 4 4

Euthynnus alletteratus (little tunny) 1 1

Orthopristis chrysoptera (pigfish) 3 3

Prionotus scitulus (leopard searobin) 4 1

5 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae (Atlantic sharpnose shark) 3 2

14 6

12 5

42 Selene setapinnis (Atlantic moonfish) 1 1

Sphyrna tiburo (bonnethead) 22 2

1 1

26 Trichiurus lepturus (Atlantic cutlassfish) 1 1

TOTAL 38 4

20 1

12 2

1 25 7

110

Table 6. Catch Per Unit Effort (Number of Individuals Per Hour of Soak Time) for Each Taxon of Fish and Commercially or Recreationally Important Shellfish Captured by Gill Net at Each Station, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study. (Note: Totals in the right column represent the number of individuals captured per hour for all nine transects.)

TAXON SL1 SL2 SL3 TOTAL A

B C

A B

C A

B C

Anisotremus virginicus (porkfish) 6.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 Caranx crysos (blue runner) 0.0 2.8 2.4 0.0 6.4 3.0 0.0 3.3 1.2 2.2 Carcharhinus acronotus (blacknose shark) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.1 0.0 0.1 Centropristis striata (striped sea bass) 2.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 Citharichthys macrops (spotted whiff) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.4 0.0 0.5 Euthynnus alletteratus (little tunny) 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 Orthopristis chrysoptera (pigfish) 2.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 Prionotus scitulus (leopard searobin) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.4 1.2 0.7 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae (Atlantic sharpnose shark) 2.7 2.8 16.5 0.0 6.4 0.0 0.0 13.1 6.0 5.7 Selene setapinnis (Atlantic moonfish) 0.0 0.0 1.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 Sphyrna tiburo (bonnethead) 19.7 0.0 2.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.5 1.1 0.0 3.6 Trichiurus lepturus (Atlantic cutlassfish) 0.0 0.0 1.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 TOTAL 34.0 5.6 23.5 1.6 12.9 3.0 1.5 27.3 8.4 15.0

Table 7. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish and Commercially or Recreationally Important Shellfish Captured by Beach Seine at Each Station, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.

TAXON SL1 SL2 SL3 TOTAL A

B C

A B

C A

B C

Arenaeus cribrarius (speckled swimming crab) 1 1

1 1

1 5

Bagre marinus (gafftopsail catfish) 1 1

Caranx crysos (blue runner) 1 1

Caranx latus (horse-eye jack) 1 1

Caranx spp.

1 1

Centropomus undecimalis (common snook) 1 1

Chloroscombrus chrysurus (Atlantic bumper) 1 1

Citharichthys macrops (spotted whiff) 1 1

Eucinostomus argenteus (spotfin mojarra) 14 7

5 2

28 Eucinostomus gula (silver jenny) 16 2

352 113 19 2

504 Eucinostomus harengulus (tidewater mojarra) 24 4

10 5

1 44 Eucinostomus jonesii (slender mojarra) 4 1

2 7

Harengula humeralis (redear sardine) 5 1

7885 6952 3545 18388 Hemiramphus brasiliensis (ballyhoo) 1 1

Menticirrhus littoralis (Gulf kingfish) 1 2

12 17 4

2 2

6 4

50 Menticirrhus saxatilis (northern kingfish) 1 1

Micropogonias undulatus (Atlantic croaker) 1 1

Opisthonema oglinum (Atlantic thread herring) 2 2

Polydactylus virginicus (barbu) 1 1

2 Pomatomus saltatrix (bluefish) 1 1

Sardinella aurita (Spanish sardine) 3 1

4 Selar crumenophthalmus (bigeye scad) 1 16 3

11 31 Selene vomer (lookdown) 1 1

Trachinotus carolinus (Florida pompano) 3 13 5

3 9

2 30 65 Trachinotus falcatus (permit) 1 4

1 5

2 1

14 Umbrina coroides (sand drum) 39 85 38 3

8 2

5 2

182 TOTAL 61 63 107 439 17 27 8031 6995 3598 19338

Table 8. Average total length (TL) and average weight (W) of each Representative Important Species Captured by Gill Net, Trawl, and Beach Seine, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study. For each species the number weighed/measured (n) and the total number collected (N) are given.

TAXON Gill Net Trawl Beach Seine TL (mm)

W (g) n N

TL (mm)

W (g) n N

TL (mm)

W (g) n N

Harengula humeralis (redear sardine) 85.3 7.2 86 18,388 Menticirrhus littoralis (Gulf kingfish) 93.8 14.5 50 50 Menticirrhus saxatilis (northern kingfish) 78.0 4.2 1

1 Micropogonias undulatus (Atlantic croaker) 240.0 380.0 1

1 Opisthonema oglinum (Atlantic thread herring) 92.5 6.6 2

2 Orthopristis chrysoptera (pigfish) 239.0 211.7 3

3 Pomatomus saltatrix (bluefish) 132.0 27.0 1

1 Prionotus scitulus (leopard searobin) 238.2 200.0 5

5 Sardinella aurita (Spanish sardine) 75.5 3.6 4

4 Trachinotus carolinus (Florida pompano) 102.6 19.6 65 65 Umbrina coroides (sand drum) 76.9 6.5 33 53 126.3 57.8 105 182

Table 9. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish Eggs and Larvae and Commercially or Recreationally Important Decapod Crustacean Larvae Captured Per Cubic Meter of Water Filtered During One 15-minute Bongo-Net Tow at Each Transect, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study. (Note: Totals in the right column represent numbers captured per cubic meter of water filtered at all six transects.)

TAXON SL 1 SL 2 SL 3 TOTAL A

C A

C A

C Achirus lineatus, post yolk-sac larvae 0.044 0.125 0.027 Anchoa mitchilli, post yolk-sac larvae 0.089 0.013 Atheriniformes, post larvae 0.044 0.007 Atheriniformes, post yolk-sac larvae 0.019 0.003 Clupeidae, post yolk-sac larvae 0.356 0.182 0.848 0.259 0.257 Diplectrum sp., post yolk-sac larvae 0.044 0.007 Epinephelus sp., post yolk-sac larvae 0.044 0.007 Eucinostomus sp., post yolk-sac larvae 0.178 0.022 0.019 0.033 Gobiesox strumosus, post yolk-sac larvae 0.044 0.042 0.013 Gobiidae, post yolk-sac larvae 0.089 0.065 0.023 Gobiosoma sp., post yolk-sac larvae 0.196 0.095 0.050 Harengula jaguana, post yolk-sac larvae 0.111 0.020 Larimus fasciatus, post yolk-sac larvae 0.023 0.174 0.030 Menticirrhus sp., post yolk-sac larvae 0.044 0.007 Microdesmus sp., post yolk-sac larvae 0.044 0.007 Microgobius gulosus, post yolk-sac larvae 0.068 0.010 Microgobius thalassinus, post yolk-sac larvae 0.044 0.614 0.042 0.103 Micropogonias undulates, post yolk-sac larvae 0.044 0.007 Myctophidae, post yolk-sac larvae 0.019 0.003 Paralichthyidae, post yolk-sac larvae 0.023 0.003 Pareques sp., post yolk-sac larvae 0.023 0.003 Prionotus sp., post yolk-sac larvae 0.019 0.003 Saurida brasiliensis, post yolk-sac larvae 0.022 0.003 Scaridae, post yolk-sac larvae 0.044 0.042 0.013 Sciaenidae, post yolk-sac larvae 0.016 0.003 Unidentified fish, post yolk-sac larvae 0.016 0.003

Table 9 (continued). Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish Eggs and Larvae and Commercially or Recreationally Important Decapod Crustacean Larvae Captured Per Cubic Meter of Water Filtered During One 15-minute Bongo-Net Tow at Each Transect, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study. (Note: Totals in the right column represent numbers captured per cubic meter of water filtered at all six transects.)

TAXON SL 1 SL 2 SL 3 TOTAL A

C A

C A

C Unidentified fish fragment, post yolk-sac larvae 0.087 0.013 Synodontidae, eggs 0.196 0.296 0.190 0.123 Unidentified fish eggs 8.444 0.250 3.667 0.848 81.185 22.921 21.447 Albunea sp., zoea 0.159 0.292 0.217 0.204 0.111 0.163 Callinectes sapidus, megalops 3.111 0.292 0.283 0.222 0.159 0.630 Callinectes sp., zoea 1.250 0.261 0.074 0.159 0.270 Emerita talpoida, megalops 0.174 0.016 0.030 Emerita talpoida, zoea 0.089 0.114 0.370 0.074 0.100 Farfantepenaeus duorarum, postlarvae 0.267 0.292 0.087 Farfantepenaeus sp., mysis 0.068 0.500 0.217 0.123 Farfantepenaeus sp., postlarvae 0.044 0.007 Lepidopa sp., zoea 0.068 0.010 Menippe mercenaria, megalops 0.311 0.023 0.050 Menippe mercenaria, zoea 0.044 0.159 0.022 0.019 0.016 0.040 Penaeidae, mysis 0.023 0.042 0.019 0.013 Rimapenaeus constrictus, mysis 0.500 0.080 Rimapenaeus constrictus, postlarvae 0.133 0.022 0.023 Scyllarus americanus, phyllosoma 0.016 0.003 TOTAL 13.600 3.045 5.833 4.022 82.537 23.714 23.873

Table 10. Number of Individuals of Each Species of Sea Turtle Sighted During Each of Two Passes Along Three One-Kilometer-Long Transects, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.

SPECIES SL 1 SL 2 SL 3 Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass 1 Pass 2 Chelonia mydas (green turtle) 1 0

5 5

0 0

Florida Power & Light Company Biological Plan of Study Implementation for St. Lucie Plant EPU Baseline Event 7 Data Report Report to Florida Power & Light Company November 2012 Submitted by Ecological Associates, Inc.

Post Office Box 405 Jensen Beach, Florida

ECOLOGICAL ASSOCIATES, INC., JENSEN BEACH, FLORIDA INTRODUCTION During August 2012, Ecological Associates, Inc. (EAI) conducted the seventh baseline field sampling event in accordance with the St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Plan of Study. During this sixth event, sampling was conducted on four days between August 9 and August 17, 2012.

Data collected included general environmental data; water quality data; numbers and sizes of fish and shellfish collected by gill net, trawl, and beach seine; numbers of fish eggs and larvae and commercially or recreationally important decapod crustacean larvae collected by plankton net; and, numbers and sizes of sea turtles observed. Results of the seventh sampling event are provided in this report. All data should be considered preliminary until quality assurance checks have been completed.

SAMPLING LOCATIONS Sampling was conducted within three separate sampling sites: SL1 located midway between the St. Lucie Plant and the Ft. Pierce Inlet, SL2 located in the vicinity of the St. Lucie Plant cooling water discharge, and SL3 located midway between the St. Lucie Plant and the St. Lucie Inlet.

For the purposes of gill netting and trawling, three transects were established within each of the three sampling sites: Transect A was located approximately 600 ft from shore on the beach terrace in water depths of 8-32 ft, Transect B was located approximately 4,000 ft. from shore in water depths of 34-44 ft, and Transect C was located approximately 8,000 ft. from shore in water depths of 31-46 ft. Plankton samples were collected concurrently with trawl samples at all three sites but only on Transects A and C.

Three stations were also established within each of the three sampling sites for the purpose of beach seining: Station A was located 0.5 mi. north of the center of the site, Station B was located at the center of the site, and Station C was located 0.5 mi. south of the center of the site.

At all stations, seines were pulled to the beach from a water depth of approximately 4 ft.

For the purpose of boat-based sea turtle surveys, one transect was established in each of the three sampling sites. The transects were located along nearshore hardbottom habitat in each site.

RESULTS Environmental data were recorded at each station during each day of sampling. Data recorded included sea conditions, air temperature, wind speed and direction, and sky conditions.

Environmental data are summarized by day in Table 1. Values reflect the range of values recorded throughout each day of sampling.

Water quality data were recorded at three locations and three depths along each of the nine transects established for trawl and gill net sampling. Data recorded included specific conductivity, water temperature, salinity, pH, and dissolved oxygen (DO). Water quality data are provided in Table 2.

BASELINE EVENT 7 DATA REPORT, ST. LUCIE PLANT EPU BIOLOGICAL STUDY ECOLOGICAL ASSOCIATES, INC., JENSEN BEACH, FLORIDA 2

Trawls were towed for 15 minutes along each of the nine transects. The numbers of fish and commercially or recreationally important shellfish collected in each 15-minute tow are presented in Table 3. Because of variations in tow speed, the distances the trawl traveled during a 15-minute tow varied (based on GPS readings). In order to compare abundances among stations in terms of catch per unit effort, the numbers collected per kilometer of bottom sampled were calculated and are presented in Table 4.

The numbers of fish and commercially or recreationally important shellfish collected by gill net on each of the nine transects is given in Table 5. At each transect the gill net began to be retrieved 30 minutes after it was set. However, the total soak time (time from when the net first entered the water until the time it was completely removed from the water) varied among transects because of differences in retrieval times associated with variations in the number of fish present in the net. In order to compare abundances among stations in terms of catch per unit effort, the numbers collected per hour of total soak time were calculated and are given in Table

6.

Beach seines were deployed at each of the nine stations previously described. The numbers of fish and commercially or recreationally important shellfish collected at each station are presented in Table 7.

A maximum of 25 representative specimens of each Representative Important Species (RIS) of fish collected at each transect/station by trawl, gill net, and beach seine were measured (total length) and a batch weight for those specimens was obtained. Average lengths and average weights of each RIS at each station/transect for each gear type are presented in Table 8.

Bongo nets were used to collect fish eggs and larvae as well as commercially or recreationally important invertebrate larvae at each of the six transects previously described. Nets were pulled for 15 minutes and the volume of water filtered determined by means of flow meters. Numbers of individuals per cubic meter of water filtered are given in Table 9.

To quantify the number of sea turtles present in each of the three sampling sites, one one-kilometer-long transect in each sampling site was traversed by boat twice. The numbers of sea turtles sighted during each pass along each transect are presented in Table 10.

Table 1. Environmental Data, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study. Values reflect the range of values recorded throughout each day of sampling.

Sampling Date Sea Conditions Air Temp Wind Speed/Direction Sky Conditions Trawls/

Ichthyoplankton 8/7/2012 1-2 ft swell 26.5-27.5°C 3-7 mph/SE Clear to Partly Cloudy Trawls/

Ichthyoplankton 8/8/2012 1-3 ft swell 27.0-28.5°C 6-15 mph/SSE Clear to Partly Cloudy Gill Nets 8/7/2012 1-3 ft swell 28.9-32.0°C 3-10 mph/SE Partly Cloudy Gill Nets 8/8/2012 1-2 ft swell 29.0-34.0°C 3-5 mph/S to SE Partly Cloudy Beach Seines 8/17/2012 Calm to 1 ft swell 29.7-32.6°C 3-12 mph/W to E Clear to Mostly Cloudy Sea Turtle Transects 8/9/2012 1-2 ft swell 28.0-32.8°C 3-5 mph/SE to SSE Partly Cloudy

Table 2. Water Quality Data, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.

Transect Station Depth Specific Conductivity (mS/cm)

Water Temp (°C)

Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)

Trawl SL1 A North Surface 55.0 26.6 36.5 7.8 6.8 Mid-Depth 55.1 26.5 36.6 8.1 6.8 Bottom 55.1 25.7 36.7 8.1 7.0 Middle Surface 55.0 26.7 36.5 8.1 6.6 Mid-Depth 55.1 26.2 36.6 8.1 6.9 Bottom 55.1 26.0 36.6 8.1 6.8 South Surface 55.0 26.9 36.5 8.1 6.5 Mid-Depth 55.1 26.6 36.5 8.1 6.6 Bottom 55.2 25.5 36.5 8.1 6.9 Trawl SL1 B North Surface 55.1 25.6 36.5 8.1 6.8 Mid-Depth 55.3 23.0 36.5 8.1 7.0 Bottom 55.5 21.6 36.7 8.2 7.1 Middle Surface 55.1 25.5 36.5 8.1 7.3 Mid-Depth 55.4 22.1 36.7 8.1 7.2 Bottom 55.5 21.6 36.6 8.1 7.2 South Surface 55.0 25.5 36.5 7.9 7.1 Mid-Depth 55.3 22.7 36.6 8.1 7.0 Bottom 55.5 21.7 36.6 8.1 7.1 Trawl SL1 C North Surface 55.1 25.7 36.5 8.2 7.0 Mid-Depth 55.4 23.5 36.6 8.2 7.3 Bottom 55.5 21.3 36.6 8.2 7.3 Middle Surface 55.1 25.7 36.5 8.1 6.9 Mid-Depth 55.3 23.3 36.6 8.2 7.6 Bottom 55.5 21.3 36.6 8.2 7.4 South Surface 55.0 25.5 36.5 8.0 7.1 Mid-Depth 55.5 22.5 36.5 8.1 7.9 Bottom 55.5 21.3 36.6 8.1 7.4 Trawl SL2 A North Surface 55.1 25.0 36.6 8.2 6.6 Mid-Depth 55.2 24.8 36.5 8.2 6.6 Bottom 55.3 24.6 36.6 8.2 6.7 Middle Surface 55.1 25.0 36.5 8.2 6.7 Mid-Depth 55.2 24.5 36.5 8.2 6.9 Bottom 55.3 23.9 36.6 8.2 7.0 South Surface 55.1 25.1 36.5 8.1 7.1 Mid-Depth 55.2 24.6 36.6 8.1 6.8 Bottom 55.2 23.9 36.6 8.2 7.0

Table 2 (Continued). Water Quality Data, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.

Transect Station Depth Specific Conductivity (mS/cm)

Water Temp (°C)

Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)

Trawl SL2 B North Surface 55.1 25.5 36.5 8.2 7.2 Mid-Depth 55.3 24.2 36.6 8.2 7.3 Bottom 55.5 21.9 36.6 8.2 7.6 Middle Surface 55.1 25.4 36.6 8.2 7.0 Mid-Depth 55.5 22.0 36.6 8.2 7.6 Bottom 55.5 22.0 36.6 8.2 7.6 South Surface 55.1 25.4 36.5 8.1 7.2 Mid-Depth 55.2 24.0 36.5 8.2 7.4 Bottom 55.5 22.0 36.6 8.2 7.5 Trawl SL2 C North Surface 55.0 26.7 36.6 8.2 7.2 Mid-Depth 55.3 24.1 36.6 8.2 7.3 Bottom 55.4 22.1 36.6 8.2 7.2 Middle Surface 55.1 26.7 36.6 8.2 7.1 Mid-Depth 55.1 25.1 36.5 8.2 7.4 Bottom 55.4 22.3 36.6 8.2 7.3 South Surface 55.0 26.7 36.5 8.0 7.1 Mid-Depth 55.2 24.1 36.5 8.1 7.5 Bottom 55.4 21.8 36.5 8.1 7.0 Trawl SL3 A North Surface 55.0 26.2 36.5 8.2 7.1 Mid-Depth 55.0 26.1 36.5 8.2 7.0 Bottom 55.0 26.0 36.5 8.2 6.9 Middle Surface 55.0 26.4 36.5 8.1 6.8 Mid-Depth 55.0 26.2 36.5 8.2 6.9 Bottom 55.0 25.9 36.5 8.2 7.0 South Surface 54.9 26.4 36.4 8.1 7.1 Mid-Depth 54.9 26.4 36.4 8.1 7.0 Bottom 55.0 26.2 36.4 8.1 6.9 Trawl SL3 B North Surface 55.0 25.6 36.5 8.2 7.0 Mid-Depth 55.3 23.0 36.5 8.2 7.2 Bottom 55.4 21.8 36.5 8.1 6.4 Middle Surface 55.1 25.7 36.5 8.2 7.0 Mid-Depth 55.2 22.9 36.5 8.2 7.2 Bottom 55.4 21.9 36.5 8.2 6.4 South Surface 55.0 25.6 36.5 8.2 7.2 Mid-Depth 55.3 22.7 36.5 8.2 7.1 Bottom 55.4 21.8 36.5 8.2 6.5

Table 2 (Continued). Water Quality Data, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.

Transect Station Depth Specific Conductivity (mS/cm)

Water Temp (°C)

Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)

Trawl SL3 C North Surface 55.1 25.7 36.5 8.2 7.1 Mid-Depth 55.4 22.5 36.6 8.2 7.3 Bottom 55.5 21.0 36.6 8.2 6.9 Middle Surface 55.1 25.7 36.5 8.2 7.1 Mid-Depth 55.4 22.6 36.6 8.2 7.4 Bottom 55.5 21.0 36.6 8.2 6.9 South Surface 55.1 25.6 36.6 8.2 7.1 Mid-Depth 55.4 22.7 36.6 8.2 7.5 Bottom 55.5 21.2 36.6 8.2 6.7 Gill Net SL1 A West Surface 55.2 24.6 36.6 8.1 6.9 Mid-Depth 55.3 23.6 36.6 8.1 7.2 Bottom 55.4 23.3 36.6 8.1 6.8 Middle Surface 55.3 24.5 36.5 8.1 6.8 Mid-Depth 55.3 23.6 36.6 8.1 7.4 Bottom 55.4 23.2 36.6 8.1 6.9 East Surface 55.1 24.5 36.6 7.9 6.9 Mid-Depth 55.3 23.5 36.6 8.0 7.2 Bottom 55.4 22.8 36.6 8.0 6.9 Gill Net SL1 B West Surface 55.2 24.6 36.6 8.2 7.2 Mid-Depth 55.3 23.4 36.6 8.2 7.4 Bottom 55.5 21.7 36.6 8.2 7.6 Middle Surface 55.4 24.6 36.5 8.2 7.2 Mid-Depth 55.4 23.3 36.6 8.2 7.4 Bottom 55.5 21.7 36.6 8.2 7.7 East Surface 55.0 24.8 36.4 8.0 7.4 Mid-Depth 55.3 23.2 36.6 8.1 7.4 Bottom 55.5 21.6 36.6 8.2 7.7 Gill Net SL1 C West Surface 55.2 25.0 36.6 8.2 7.1 Mid-Depth 55.2 24.4 36.5 8.2 7.1 Bottom 55.6 21.2 36.6 8.2 7.6 Middle Surface 55.1 24.9 36.6 8.1 7.2 Mid-Depth 55.2 24.4 36.5 8.1 7.2 Bottom 55.5 21.1 36.6 8.2 7.6 East Surface 55.0 25.0 36.3 7.7 7.5 Mid-Depth 55.2 24.4 36.5 8.0 7.4 Bottom 55.6 21.1 36.6 8.1 7.8

Table 2 (Continued). Water Quality Data, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.

Transect Station Depth Specific Conductivity (mS/cm)

Water Temp (°C)

Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)

Gill Net SL2 A West Surface 55.1 25.7 36.5 8.1 6.9 Mid-Depth 55.2 24.5 36.4 8.1 7.0 Bottom 55.2 24.0 36.6 8.2 7.1 Middle Surface 55.0 25.8 36.5 8.1 7.0 Mid-Depth 55.1 24.3 36.5 8.1 7.2 Bottom 55.2 23.8 36.5 8.1 7.2 East Surface 55.0 25.5 36.5 7.2 7.4 Mid-Depth 55.1 24.3 36.5 7.9 7.5 Bottom 55.2 23.6 36.4 8.1 7.4 Gill Net SL2 B West Surface 55.1 25.7 36.5 8.2 7.0 Mid-Depth 55.2 24.2 36.5 8.2 7.1 Bottom 55.3 24.0 36.6 8.2 7.3 Middle Surface 55.0 25.9 36.5 8.1 7.4 Mid-Depth 55.1 24.4 36.6 8.1 7.4 Bottom 55.1 23.8 36.5 8.2 7.6 East Surface 55.0 25.9 36.5 7.8 7.4 Mid-Depth 55.1 24.4 36.5 8.0 7.7 Bottom 55.1 24.1 36.5 8.1 7.6 Gill Net SL2 C West Surface 55.2 25.7 36.6 8.2 7.0 Mid-Depth 55.1 24.5 36.6 8.2 7.3 Bottom 55.4 22.3 36.6 8.2 7.4 Middle Surface 55.2 25.6 36.6 8.1 7.2 Mid-Depth 55.3 25.0 36.7 8.2 7.3 Bottom 55.5 22.1 36.6 8.1 7.5 East Surface 55.1 25.7 36.5 7.8 7.2 Mid-Depth 55.3 25.0 36.7 8.0 7.4 Bottom 55.4 22.4 36.6 8.1 7.6 Gill Net SL3 A West Surface 55.1 25.7 36.5 8.2 7.0 Mid-Depth 55.1 24.8 36.6 8.2 7.3 Bottom 55.2 24.7 36.6 8.2 7.4 Middle Surface 55.1 25.4 36.6 8.2 7.2 Mid-Depth 55.2 24.9 36.6 8.2 7.2 Bottom 55.2 24.3 36.5 8.2 7.2 East Surface 55.1 25.5 36.6 8.0 7.3 Mid-Depth 55.1 25.1 36.5 8.1 7.3 Bottom 55.2 23.7 36.6 8.1 7.1

Table 2 (Continued). Water Quality Data, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.

Transect Station Depth Specific Conductivity (mS/cm)

Water Temp (°C)

Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)

Gill Net SL3 B West Surface 55.2 26.2 36.6 8.2 6.9 Mid-Depth 55.3 23.4 36.6 8.2 7.3 Bottom 55.4 22.7 36.6 8.2 6.9 Middle Surface 55.1 26.2 36.6 8.2 7.0 Mid-Depth 55.3 23.6 36.6 8.2 7.4 Bottom 55.4 22.6 36.5 8.1 6.9 East Surface 55.1 26.2 36.6 7.2 7.0 Mid-Depth 55.3 23.2 36.5 8.0 7.4 Bottom 55.3 22.6 36.5 8.1 7.0 Gill Net SL3 C West Surface 55.0 27.5 36.6 8.2 6.8 Mid-Depth 55.3 24.4 36.6 8.2 7.4 Bottom 55.4 22.2 36.6 8.2 7.5 Middle Surface 54.9 27.3 36.5 8.2 6.9 Mid-Depth 55.3 24.1 36.6 8.2 7.4 Bottom 55.4 22.2 36.6 8.2 7.4 East Surface 54.9 27.2 36.4 7.7 7.0 Mid-Depth 55.1 24.5 36.6 8.1 7.6 Bottom 55.3 22.3 36.5 8.1 7.4

Table 3. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish and Commercially or Recreationally Important Shellfish Captured by Trawl during One 15-minute Tow at Each Station, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.

TAXON SL1 SL2 SL3 TOTAL A

B C

A B

C A

B C

Arenaeus cribrarius (speckled swimming crab) 1 1

Farfantepenaeus duorarum (pink shrimp) 8 1

7 16 Rimapenaeus sp.

3 6

6 15 Bothus robinsi (twospot flounder) 10 10 Citharichthys macrops (spotted whiff) 5 3

5 13 Decapterus punctatus (round scad) 2 2

Eucinostomus gula (silver jenny) 34 3

3 40 Eucinostomus harengulus (tidewater mojarra) 1 1

Eucinostomus jonesii (slender mojarra) 8 1

9 Haemulon aurolineatum (tomtate) 53 10 63 Lutjanus synagris (lane snapper) 2 2

4 Prionotus rubio (blackwing searobin) 1 1

Umbrina coroides (sand drum) 45 2

6 53 TOTAL 159 2

0 9

0 18 40 0

0 228

Table 4. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish and Commercially or Recreationally Important Shellfish Captured per Kilometer by Trawl at Each Station, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study. (Note: Totals in the right column represent the number of individuals captured per kilometer for all nine transects.)

TAXON SL1 SL2 SL3 TOTAL A

B C

A B

C A

B C

Arenaeus cribrarius (speckled swimming crab) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.29 0.00 0.00 0.15 Farfantepenaeus duorarum (pink shrimp) 11.64 0.00 0.00 1.31 0.00 0.00 9.03 0.00 0.00 2.37 Rimapenaeus sp.

4.37 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 9.63 7.74 0.00 0.00 2.22 Bothus robinsi (twospot flounder) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 16.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.48 Citharichthys macrops (spotted whiff) 7.28 0.00 0.00 3.94 0.00 0.00 6.45 0.00 0.00 1.93 Decapterus punctatus (round scad) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.21 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.30 Eucinostomus gula (silver jenny) 49.48 0.00 0.00 3.94 0.00 0.00 3.87 0.00 0.00 5.93 Eucinostomus harengulus (tidewater mojarra) 1.46 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.15 Eucinostomus jonesii (slender mojarra) 11.64 1.30 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.33 Haemulon aurolineatum (tomtate) 77.14 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 12.89 0.00 0.00 9.34 Lutjanus synagris (lane snapper) 2.91 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.58 0.00 0.00 0.59 Prionotus rubio (blackwing searobin) 0.00 1.30 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.15 Umbrina coroides (sand drum) 65.49 0.00 0.00 2.63 0.00 0.00 7.74 0.00 0.00 7.86 TOTAL 231.41 2.60 0.00 11.83 0.00 28.89 51.58 0.00 0.00 33.80

Table 5. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish and Commercially or Recreationally Important Shellfish Captured by Gill Net at Each Station, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.

TAXON SL1 SL2 SL3 TOTAL A

B C

A B

C A

B C

Anisotremus virginicus (porkfish) 7 7

Caranx crysos (blue runner) 2 2

6 2

3 1

16 Carcharhinus acronotus (blacknose shark) 1 1

Centropristis striata (striped sea bass) 3 3

Citharichthys macrops (spotted whiff) 4 4

Euthynnus alletteratus (little tunny) 1 1

Orthopristis chrysoptera (pigfish) 3 3

Prionotus scitulus (leopard searobin) 4 1

5 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae (Atlantic sharpnose shark) 3 2

14 6

12 5

42 Selene setapinnis (Atlantic moonfish) 1 1

Sphyrna tiburo (bonnethead) 22 2

1 1

26 Trichiurus lepturus (Atlantic cutlassfish) 1 1

TOTAL 38 4

20 1

12 2

1 25 7

110

Table 6. Catch Per Unit Effort (Number of Individuals Per Hour of Soak Time) for Each Taxon of Fish and Commercially or Recreationally Important Shellfish Captured by Gill Net at Each Station, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study. (Note: Totals in the right column represent the number of individuals captured per hour for all nine transects.)

TAXON SL1 SL2 SL3 TOTAL A

B C

A B

C A

B C

Anisotremus virginicus (porkfish) 6.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 Caranx crysos (blue runner) 0.0 2.8 2.4 0.0 6.4 3.0 0.0 3.3 1.2 2.2 Carcharhinus acronotus (blacknose shark) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.1 0.0 0.1 Centropristis striata (striped sea bass) 2.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 Citharichthys macrops (spotted whiff) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.4 0.0 0.5 Euthynnus alletteratus (little tunny) 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 Orthopristis chrysoptera (pigfish) 2.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 Prionotus scitulus (leopard searobin) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.4 1.2 0.7 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae (Atlantic sharpnose shark) 2.7 2.8 16.5 0.0 6.4 0.0 0.0 13.1 6.0 5.7 Selene setapinnis (Atlantic moonfish) 0.0 0.0 1.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 Sphyrna tiburo (bonnethead) 19.7 0.0 2.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.5 1.1 0.0 3.6 Trichiurus lepturus (Atlantic cutlassfish) 0.0 0.0 1.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 TOTAL 34.0 5.6 23.5 1.6 12.9 3.0 1.5 27.3 8.4 15.0

Table 7. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish and Commercially or Recreationally Important Shellfish Captured by Beach Seine at Each Station, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.

TAXON SL1 SL2 SL3 TOTAL A

B C

A B

C A

B C

Arenaeus cribrarius (speckled swimming crab) 1 1

1 1

1 5

Bagre marinus (gafftopsail catfish) 1 1

Caranx crysos (blue runner) 1 1

Caranx latus (horse-eye jack) 1 1

Caranx spp.

1 1

Centropomus undecimalis (common snook) 1 1

Chloroscombrus chrysurus (Atlantic bumper) 1 1

Citharichthys macrops (spotted whiff) 1 1

Eucinostomus argenteus (spotfin mojarra) 14 7

5 2

28 Eucinostomus gula (silver jenny) 16 2

352 113 19 2

504 Eucinostomus harengulus (tidewater mojarra) 24 4

10 5

1 44 Eucinostomus jonesii (slender mojarra) 4 1

2 7

Harengula humeralis (redear sardine) 5 1

7885 6952 3545 18388 Hemiramphus brasiliensis (ballyhoo) 1 1

Menticirrhus littoralis (Gulf kingfish) 1 2

12 17 4

2 2

6 4

50 Menticirrhus saxatilis (northern kingfish) 1 1

Micropogonias undulatus (Atlantic croaker) 1 1

Opisthonema oglinum (Atlantic thread herring) 2 2

Polydactylus virginicus (barbu) 1 1

2 Pomatomus saltatrix (bluefish) 1 1

Sardinella aurita (Spanish sardine) 3 1

4 Selar crumenophthalmus (bigeye scad) 1 16 3

11 31 Selene vomer (lookdown) 1 1

Trachinotus carolinus (Florida pompano) 3 13 5

3 9

2 30 65 Trachinotus falcatus (permit) 1 4

1 5

2 1

14 Umbrina coroides (sand drum) 39 85 38 3

8 2

5 2

182 TOTAL 61 63 107 439 17 27 8031 6995 3598 19338

Table 8. Average total length (TL) and average weight (W) of each Representative Important Species Captured by Gill Net, Trawl, and Beach Seine, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study. For each species the number weighed/measured (n) and the total number collected (N) are given.

TAXON Gill Net Trawl Beach Seine TL (mm)

W (g) n N

TL (mm)

W (g) n N

TL (mm)

W (g) n N

Harengula humeralis (redear sardine) 85.3 7.2 86 18,388 Menticirrhus littoralis (Gulf kingfish) 93.8 14.5 50 50 Menticirrhus saxatilis (northern kingfish) 78.0 4.2 1

1 Micropogonias undulatus (Atlantic croaker) 240.0 380.0 1

1 Opisthonema oglinum (Atlantic thread herring) 92.5 6.6 2

2 Orthopristis chrysoptera (pigfish) 239.0 211.7 3

3 Pomatomus saltatrix (bluefish) 132.0 27.0 1

1 Prionotus scitulus (leopard searobin) 238.2 200.0 5

5 Sardinella aurita (Spanish sardine) 75.5 3.6 4

4 Trachinotus carolinus (Florida pompano) 102.6 19.6 65 65 Umbrina coroides (sand drum) 76.9 6.5 33 53 126.3 57.8 105 182

Table 9. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish Eggs and Larvae and Commercially or Recreationally Important Decapod Crustacean Larvae Captured Per Cubic Meter of Water Filtered During One 15-minute Bongo-Net Tow at Each Transect, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study. (Note: Totals in the right column represent numbers captured per cubic meter of water filtered at all six transects.)

TAXON SL 1 SL 2 SL 3 TOTAL A

C A

C A

C Achirus lineatus, post yolk-sac larvae 0.044 0.125 0.027 Anchoa mitchilli, post yolk-sac larvae 0.089 0.013 Atheriniformes, post larvae 0.044 0.007 Atheriniformes, post yolk-sac larvae 0.019 0.003 Clupeidae, post yolk-sac larvae 0.356 0.182 0.848 0.259 0.257 Diplectrum sp., post yolk-sac larvae 0.044 0.007 Epinephelus sp., post yolk-sac larvae 0.044 0.007 Eucinostomus sp., post yolk-sac larvae 0.178 0.022 0.019 0.033 Gobiesox strumosus, post yolk-sac larvae 0.044 0.042 0.013 Gobiidae, post yolk-sac larvae 0.089 0.065 0.023 Gobiosoma sp., post yolk-sac larvae 0.196 0.095 0.050 Harengula jaguana, post yolk-sac larvae 0.111 0.020 Larimus fasciatus, post yolk-sac larvae 0.023 0.174 0.030 Menticirrhus sp., post yolk-sac larvae 0.044 0.007 Microdesmus sp., post yolk-sac larvae 0.044 0.007 Microgobius gulosus, post yolk-sac larvae 0.068 0.010 Microgobius thalassinus, post yolk-sac larvae 0.044 0.614 0.042 0.103 Micropogonias undulates, post yolk-sac larvae 0.044 0.007 Myctophidae, post yolk-sac larvae 0.019 0.003 Paralichthyidae, post yolk-sac larvae 0.023 0.003 Pareques sp., post yolk-sac larvae 0.023 0.003 Prionotus sp., post yolk-sac larvae 0.019 0.003 Saurida brasiliensis, post yolk-sac larvae 0.022 0.003 Scaridae, post yolk-sac larvae 0.044 0.042 0.013 Sciaenidae, post yolk-sac larvae 0.016 0.003 Unidentified fish, post yolk-sac larvae 0.016 0.003

Table 9 (continued). Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish Eggs and Larvae and Commercially or Recreationally Important Decapod Crustacean Larvae Captured Per Cubic Meter of Water Filtered During One 15-minute Bongo-Net Tow at Each Transect, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study. (Note: Totals in the right column represent numbers captured per cubic meter of water filtered at all six transects.)

TAXON SL 1 SL 2 SL 3 TOTAL A

C A

C A

C Unidentified fish fragment, post yolk-sac larvae 0.087 0.013 Synodontidae, eggs 0.196 0.296 0.190 0.123 Unidentified fish eggs 8.444 0.250 3.667 0.848 81.185 22.921 21.447 Albunea sp., zoea 0.159 0.292 0.217 0.204 0.111 0.163 Callinectes sapidus, megalops 3.111 0.292 0.283 0.222 0.159 0.630 Callinectes sp., zoea 1.250 0.261 0.074 0.159 0.270 Emerita talpoida, megalops 0.174 0.016 0.030 Emerita talpoida, zoea 0.089 0.114 0.370 0.074 0.100 Farfantepenaeus duorarum, postlarvae 0.267 0.292 0.087 Farfantepenaeus sp., mysis 0.068 0.500 0.217 0.123 Farfantepenaeus sp., postlarvae 0.044 0.007 Lepidopa sp., zoea 0.068 0.010 Menippe mercenaria, megalops 0.311 0.023 0.050 Menippe mercenaria, zoea 0.044 0.159 0.022 0.019 0.016 0.040 Penaeidae, mysis 0.023 0.042 0.019 0.013 Rimapenaeus constrictus, mysis 0.500 0.080 Rimapenaeus constrictus, postlarvae 0.133 0.022 0.023 Scyllarus americanus, phyllosoma 0.016 0.003 TOTAL 13.600 3.045 5.833 4.022 82.537 23.714 23.873

Table 10. Number of Individuals of Each Species of Sea Turtle Sighted During Each of Two Passes Along Three One-Kilometer-Long Transects, Baseline Sampling Event 7 (August 2012), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.

SPECIES SL 1 SL 2 SL 3 Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass 1 Pass 2 Chelonia mydas (green turtle) 1 0

5 5

0 0