ML15314A317
Text
Florida Power & Light Company Biological Plan of Study Implementation for St. Lucie Plant EPU Post-Uprate Event 3 Data Report Report to Florida Power & Light Company September 2013 Submitted by Ecological Associates, Inc.
Post Office Box 405 Jensen Beach, Florida
ECOLOGICAL ASSOCIATES, INC., JENSEN BEACH, FLORIDA INTRODUCTION During June 2013, Ecological Associates, Inc. (EAI) conducted the third post-uprate field sampling event in accordance with the St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Plan of Study. Sampling was conducted on six days between June 3 and June 27. 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 third post-uprate 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 34-45 ft, and Transect C was located approximately 8,000 ft. from shore in water depths of 31-47 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.
POST-UPRATE EVENT 3 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 scientific and common names of all specimens captured by all gear types are listed in Table 3. The numbers of fish and invertebrates collected in each 15-minute tow are presented in Table 4. 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 5.
The numbers of fish and invertebrates collected by gill net on each of the nine transects is given in Table 6. 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 7.
Beach seines were deployed at each of the nine stations previously described. The numbers of fish and invertebrates collected at each station are presented in Table 8.
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 9.
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 10.
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 11.
Table 1. Environmental Data, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), 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 and Direction Sky Conditions Trawls/
Ichthyoplankton 6/3/13 Flat 25.6-26.1°C 0-2 mph, NW to SE Mostly Cloudy Trawls/
Ichthyoplankton 6/4/12 Flat to 1-2 ft swell 26.6-27.5°C 0-5 mph, S to SSE Mostly Cloudy Gill Nets 6/26/13 2-3 ft swell, light chop 28.9-31.4°C 5-10 mph, SE Partly Cloudy Gill Nets 6/27/13 1-2 ft swell, light chop 28.7-29.8°C 1-5 mph, SE Clear Beach Seines 6/12/13 1-3 ft swell, light chop 28.5-32.1°C 0-7 mph, NE to SW Clear Sea Turtle Transects 6/4/13 Calm 28.9°C 2-3 mph, E Overcast
Transect Station Depth Specific Conductivity (mS/cm)
Water Temp
(°C)
Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)
Surface 54.7 25.7 36.3 8.1 6.0 Mid-Depth 54.8 25.7 36.3 8.1 5.9 Bottom 54.8 25.7 36.3 8.1 5.9 Surface 54.8 25.8 36.3 8.1 6.0 Mid-Depth 54.8 25.7 36.3 8.1 6.0 Bottom 54.7 25.7 36.3 8.1 5.7 Surface 54.9 25.8 36.4 8.1 5.9 Mid-Depth 55.0 25.3 36.4 8.1 5.7 Bottom 55.0 24.9 36.4 8.1 6.3 Surface 54.7 25.5 36.2 8.2 6.1 Mid-Depth 54.9 23.6 36.3 8.2 6.4 Bottom 54.9 23.1 36.2 8.2 6.8 Surface 54.7 25.5 36.2 8.2 6.2 Mid-Depth 54.9 23.6 36.3 8.2 6.6 Bottom 54.9 23.0 36.2 8.2 6.9 Surface 55.0 25.5 36.4 8.2 6.2 Mid-Depth 55.0 23.6 36.3 8.2 6.5 Bottom 55.0 23.0 36.3 8.2 7.0 Surface 55.0 24.4 36.3 8.2 6.5 Mid-Depth 55.0 23.3 36.3 8.2 6.8 Bottom 55.0 23.1 36.3 8.2 6.9 Surface 54.8 24.6 36.3 8.2 6.5 Mid-Depth 54.0 23.3 36.3 8.2 6.8 Bottom 54.0 23.1 36.2 8.2 6.9 Surface 54.8 24.5 36.3 8.2 6.4 Mid-Depth 54.9 23.2 36.3 8.2 6.8 Bottom 54.9 23.2 36.2 8.2 6.9 Surface 54.7 25.1 36.2 8.1 6.1 Mid-Depth 54.8 24.3 36.2 8.2 6.3 Bottom 54.8 23.9 36.2 8.2 6.3 Surface 54.7 24.8 36.2 8.2 6.1 Mid-Depth 54.8 24.1 36.2 8.2 6.3 Bottom 54.9 23.3 36.3 8.2 6.5 Surface 54.8 24.5 36.3 8.2 6.3 Mid-Depth 54.9 23.8 36.3 8.2 6.5 Bottom 54.9 23.8 36.3 8.2 6.5 Trawl SL1 B Trawl SL1 C Trawl SL2 A North Middle South North Middle Trawl SL1 A Table 2. Water Quality Data, Post Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
South North Middle South North Middle South
Transect Station Depth Specific Conductivity (mS/cm)
Water Temp
(°C)
Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)
Table 2. Water Quality Data, Post Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
Surface 54.8 24.2 36.2 8.2 6.6 Mid-Depth 54.9 22.5 36.2 8.2 7.1 Bottom 54.9 22.5 36.2 8.2 7.1 Surface 54.8 24.2 36.3 8.1 6.7 Mid-Depth 54.9 22.5 36.2 8.2 7.1 Bottom 54.9 22.5 36.2 8.2 7.1 Surface 55.0 24.3 36.4 8.1 6.4 Mid-Depth 55.0 22.4 36.4 8.2 7.1 Bottom 55.0 22.4 36.3 8.2 7.0 Surface 54.6 23.9 36.1 8.2 6.5 Mid-Depth 54.8 23.1 36.2 8.2 6.7 Bottom 54.8 22.8 36.2 8.2 6.9 Surface 54.6 23.9 36.1 8.2 6.5 Mid-Depth 54.8 22.7 36.1 8.2 6.8 Bottom 54.8 22.7 36.1 8.2 6.8 Surface 54.7 24.0 36.1 8.2 6.4 Mid-Depth 54.9 22.7 36.2 8.2 6.8 Bottom 54.9 22.7 36.2 8.2 6.8 Surface 54.6 25.5 36.2 8.1 6.4 Mid-Depth 54.7 24.0 36.2 8.1 6.5 Bottom 55.0 22.8 36.3 8.1 7.2 Surface 54.5 25.5 36.1 8.1 6.2 Mid-Depth 54.9 23.1 36.3 8.2 7.2 Bottom 54.9 22.8 36.2 8.2 7.1 Surface 54.5 25.5 36.1 8.1 6.2 Mid-Depth 54.9 23.2 36.3 8.2 6.7 Bottom 54.9 23.0 36.2 8.2 6.8 Surface 54.4 25.2 36.0 8.2 6.2 Mid-Depth 54.9 22.5 36.2 8.2 6.7 Bottom 55.0 22.1 36.2 8.3 6.6 Surface 54.2 25.3 35.8 8.2 6.2 Mid-Depth 54.8 22.4 36.1 8.2 6.8 Bottom 54.8 22.1 36.1 8.2 6.9 Surface 54.2 25.3 35.9 8.2 6.2 Mid-Depth 54.8 22.4 36.1 8.2 6.8 Bottom 54.8 22.1 36.1 8.2 6.9 Trawl SL3 B North Middle South Trawl SL3 A North Middle South Trawl SL2 B Trawl SL2 C South North Middle South North Middle
Transect Station Depth Specific Conductivity (mS/cm)
Water Temp
(°C)
Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)
Table 2. Water Quality Data, Post Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
Surface 54.2 25.5 35.9 8.2 6.0 Mid-Depth 54.8 22.3 36.1 8.2 6.4 Bottom 54.8 22.2 36.1 8.2 6.2 Surface 54.2 25.5 35.9 8.2 6.1 Mid-Depth 54.8 22.3 36.1 8.2 6.3 Bottom 54.8 22.2 36.1 8.2 6.3 Surface 54.3 25.6 35.9 8.2 6.3 Mid-Depth 54.9 22.3 36.2 8.2 6.4 Bottom 54.9 22.2 36.2 8.3 6.2 Surface 52.6 24.8 34.6 8.1 6.2 Mid-Depth 52.5 24.0 34.6 8.1 6.1 Bottom 52.4 23.8 34.5 8.1 5.9 Surface 52.3 24.9 34.4 8.1 5.8 Mid-Depth 52.3 24.2 34.4 8.1 6.0 Bottom 52.3 24.0 34.4 8.1 5.7 Surface 52.4 24.6 34.4 8.1 5.5 Mid-Depth 52.3 24.2 34.4 8.1 5.8 Bottom 52.2 24.2 34.4 8.1 5.9 Surface 52.6 25.3 34.6 8.1 6.3 Mid-Depth 52.4 24.3 34.5 8.2 6.5 Bottom 52.4 23.5 34.5 8.1 6.0 Surface 52.7 25.0 34.6 8.2 6.2 Mid-Depth 52.2 24.6 34.5 8.2 6.4 Bottom 52.4 24.0 34.4 8.1 6.0 Surface 52.4 25.1 34.5 8.1 6.1 Mid-Depth 52.3 24.3 34.4 8.1 6.0 Bottom 52.2 24.0 34.3 8.1 6.0 Surface 53.5 25.4 35.3 8.1 7.5 Mid-Depth 53.6 24.4 35.3 8.1 7.8 Bottom 53.6 23.3 35.1 8.1 6.7 Surface 52.5 25.3 34.5 8.1 6.6 Mid-Depth 52.6 24.4 34.7 8.1 7.0 Bottom 52.8 23.4 34.6 8.1 6.5 Surface 52.3 25.3 34.4 8.1 6.5 Mid-Depth 52.3 24.2 34.4 8.1 6.6 Bottom 52.5 23.4 34.5 8.1 6.3 Gill Net SL1 C East Middle West Gill Net SL1 A East Middle West Gill Net SL1 B East Middle West Trawl SL3 C North Middle South
Transect Station Depth Specific Conductivity (mS/cm)
Water Temp
(°C)
Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)
Table 2. Water Quality Data, Post Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
Surface 53.8 25.1 35.5 8.0 6.8 Mid-Depth 53.8 24.5 35.4 8.1 7.1 Bottom 53.8 23.8 35.5 8.1 6.8 Surface 53.7 25.0 35.4 8.1 6.7 Mid-Depth 53.4 24.5 35.4 8.1 6.9 Bottom 53.7 23.8 35.5 8.1 6.9 Surface 53.8 25.0 35.5 8.1 6.5 Mid-Depth 53.8 24.8 35.5 8.1 6.5 Bottom 53.9 24.0 35.6 8.1 6.4 Surface 54.9 25.0 36.4 8.2 6.7 Mid-Depth 54.9 23.7 36.2 8.2 6.8 Bottom 54.6 23.3 36.1 8.2 6.6 Surface 54.9 25.0 36.4 8.1 6.7 Mid-Depth 54.7 23.7 36.1 8.2 6.8 Bottom 54.5 23.3 36.0 8.1 6.6 Surface 54.7 25.0 36.1 8.1 6.7 Mid-Depth 54.5 23.9 36.0 8.2 6.8 Bottom 54.5 23.5 36.0 8.1 6.7 Surface 54.8 25.3 36.2 8.1 6.6 Mid-Depth 54.7 23.8 35.9 8.2 6.9 Bottom 54.6 23.3 36.0 8.2 7.0 Surface 54.4 25.4 35.9 8.1 6.6 Mid-Depth 54.1 23.8 35.8 8.2 6.9 Bottom 54.1 23.1 35.6 8.2 6.9 Surface 54.1 25.3 35.7 8.1 6.6 Mid-Depth 53.8 24.0 35.5 8.2 6.9 Bottom 53.9 23.1 35.5 8.2 6.8 Surface 54.4 23.6 36.0 8.2 6.8 Mid-Depth 54.4 22.7 35.8 8.2 7.1 Bottom 54.3 22.7 35.7 8.2 7.2 Surface 53.9 23.7 35.5 8.2 6.7 Mid-Depth 53.9 22.8 35.5 8.2 7.1 Bottom 53.8 22.8 35.4 8.2 7.1 Surface 53.7 23.9 35.3 8.2 6.6 Mid-Depth 53.6 22.9 35.2 8.2 7.0 Bottom 53.5 22.8 35.2 8.2 7.0 Gill Net SL3 A East Middle West Gill Net SL2 B East Middle West Gill Net SL2 C East Middle West Gill Net SL2 A East Middle West
Transect Station Depth Specific Conductivity (mS/cm)
Water Temp
(°C)
Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)
Table 2. Water Quality Data, Post Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
Surface 54.2 24.1 35.6 8.2 7.0 Mid-Depth 54.0 23.0 35.5 8.2 7.4 Bottom 53.9 22.0 35.4 8.2 7.4 Surface 53.5 24.2 35.1 8.2 6.7 Mid-Depth 53.4 23.0 35.1 8.2 7.2 Bottom 53.3 22.2 35.0 8.2 7.2 Surface 52.9 24.3 34.8 8.2 6.7 Mid-Depth 53.0 23.0 34.8 8.2 7.2 Bottom 53.0 22.3 34.7 8.2 7.2 Surface 53.2 24.5 35.0 8.2 7.1 Mid-Depth 53.3 22.7 35.0 8.2 7.3 Bottom 53.1 21.8 34.8 8.2 7.5 Surface 52.8 24.9 34.6 8.2 6.8 Mid-Depth 52.9 22.6 34.7 8.2 7.1 Bottom 52.8 21.8 34.6 8.2 7.2 Surface 52.4 24.7 34.5 8.2 6.7 Mid-Depth 52.6 22.6 34.6 8.2 7.0 Bottom 52.6 21.9 34.5 8.2 7.1 Gill Net SL3 C East Middle West Gill Net SL3 B East Middle West
Scientific Name Common Name Crustaceans Acetes americanus aviu shrimp Albunea sp.
mole crab Arenaeus cribrarius*
speckled swimming crab Calappa flammea flame box crab Callinectes sp.
swimming crab Chlamydopleon dissimile opossum shrimp Emerita talpoida*
Atlantic sand crab Farfantepenaeus aztecus*
brown shrimp Farfantepenaeus duorarum*
pink shrimp Hepatus epheliticus calico crab Latreutes parvulus sargassum shrimp Lepidopa sp.
mole crab Lepidopa websteri Webster's mole crab Majoidea spider crabs Menippe mercenaria Florida stone crab Paguroidea hermit crab Panulirus argus*
Caribbean spiny lobster Penaeidae penaeid shrimp Persephona mediterranea mottled purse crab Portunus gibbesii iridescent swimming crab Portunus sp.
portunid crab Portunus spinimanus blotched swimming crab Processa hemphilli night shrimp Rimapenaeus sp.*
roughneck shrimp Sicyonia brevirostris brown rock shrimp Synalpheus sp.
snapping shrimp Echinoderms Mellitidae sand dollar Table 3. Scientific and Common Names of Taxa Captured by Trawl, Plankton Netting, Gill Netting, and Beach Seining or Observed in Sea Turtle Surveys, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
Scientific Name Common Name Table 3. Scientific and Common Names of Taxa Captured by Trawl, Plankton Netting, Gill Netting, and Beach Seining or Observed in Sea Turtle Surveys, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
Fish and Eggs Anchoa hepsetus**
striped anchovy Anchoa mitchilli**
bay anchovy Anchoa sp.**
common anchovy Bairdiella chrysoura silver perch Blenniidae blenny Bregmacerotidae codlets Carangidae jacks Caranx crysos blue runner Centropomus undecimalis common Snook Cerdale floridana pugjaw wormfish Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic spadefish Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic bumper Clupeidae herrings and sardines Dactyloscopus crossotus bigeye stargazer Decapterus macarellus mackerel scad Diapterus auratus Irish pompano Diodontidae burrfishes Engraulidae anchovies Gobiidae gobies Gobiosoma robustum code goby Haemulidae grunts Harengula jaguana**
scaled sardine Labridae wrasses Labrisomidae labrisomid blennies Larimus fasciatus banded drum Leiostomus xanthurus spot Lutjanidae snappers Lutjanus sp.
snapper Melanocetidae deepsea anglerfishes Menticirrhus littoralis**
Gulf kingfish
Scientific Name Common Name Table 3. Scientific and Common Names of Taxa Captured by Trawl, Plankton Netting, Gill Netting, and Beach Seining or Observed in Sea Turtle Surveys, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
Menticirrhus sp.
kingfishes Microgobius thalassinus green goby Monacanthidae filefishes Monacanthus ciliatus fringed filefish Opisthonema oglinum**
Atlantic thread herring Parablennius marmoreus seaweed blenny Paralichthyidae sand flounders Perciformes perch-like fishes Pomacanthidae angelfishes Prionotus scitulus**
leopard searobin Prionotus tribulus bighead searobin Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic sharpnose shark Sciaenidae drums and croakers Scorpaenidae scorpionfishes Scorpaeniformes scorpionfishes Selene setapinnis Atlantic moonfish Sparidae porgies Sphyrna tiburo bonnethead shark Trachinotus carolinus**
Florida pompano Trachinotus goodei palometa Umbrina coroides**
sand drum Unidentified fragment unidentified larval fragment Sea Turtles Chelonia mydas**
- Commercially and recreationally important (CRI) decapod crustaceans
- Representative Important Species (RIS)
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Crustaceans Acetes americanus 7
9 3
19 Rimapenaeus sp.*
3 3
5 11 Farfantepenaeus duorarum
- 4 4
Penaeidae 1
2 1
4 Arenaeus cribrarius*
1 1
2 Latreutes parvulus 2
2 Portunus gibbesii 2
2 Portunus sp.
1 1
2 Portunus spinimanus 2
2 Chlamydopleon dissimile 1
1 Hepatus epheliticus 1
1 Majoidea 1
1 Paguroidea 1
1 Persephona mediterranea 1
1 Processa hemphilli 1
1 Synalpheus sp.
1 1
Echinoderms Mellitidae 11 2
13 Table 4. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish and Invertebrates Captured by Trawl during One 15-minute Tow at Each Station, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
SL1 SL2 SL3 Total Taxon
Fish Umbrina coroides**
132 2
4 14 152 Anchoa sp.**
3 12 15 Chloroscombrus chrysurus 11 11 Larimus fasciatus 7
1 1
9 Menticirrhus littoralis **
7 2
9 Prionotus scitulus**
1 1
2 Anchoa hepsetus**
1 1
Anchoa mitchilli**
1 1
Dactyloscopus crossotus 1
1 Selene setapinnis 1
1 Total 180 12 12 20 3
6 33 4
0 271
- Commercially and Recreationally Important Crustaceans
- Representative Important Species (RIS)
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Crustaceans Acetes americanus 8.16 10.76 3.59 28.23 Arenaeus cribrarius*
1.20 2.30 2.97 Chlamydopleon dissimile 1.17 1.49 Farfantepenaeus duorarum
- 4.66 5.94 Hepatus epheliticus 0.97 1.49 Latreutes parvulus 2.39 2.97 Majoidea 1.17 1.49 Paguroidea 1.20 1.49 Penaeidae 1.17 1.95 1.40 5.94 Persephona mediterranea 1.20 1.49 Portunus gibbesii 2.82 2.97 Portunus sp.
1.40 2.30 2.97 Portunus spinimanus 2.82 2.97 Processa hemphilli 1.20 1.49 Rimapenaeus sp.*
3.50 3.59 11.49 16.34 Synalpheus sp.
1.20 1.49 Echinoderms Mellitidae 17.14 2.80 19.32 Table 5. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish and Invertebrates Captured per Kilometer by Trawl at Each Station, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), 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
Fish Anchoa hepsetus**
1.17 1.49 Anchoa mitchilli**
1.17 1.49 Anchoa sp.**
3.50 27.57 22.29 Chloroscombrus chrysurus 12.82 16.34 Dactyloscopus crossotus 1.40 1.49 Larimus fasciatus 8.16 1.20 1.20 13.37 Menticirrhus littoralis **
8.16 2.39 13.37 Prionotus scitulus 1.56 1.40 2.97 Selene setapinnis 1.17 1.49 Umbrina coroides**
153.90 2.39 4.78 32.16 225.85 Total 209.86 14.35 18.70 23.91 2.92 8.39 75.81 5.63 0.00 402.67
- Commercially and Recreationally Important Crustaceans
- Representative Important Species (RIS)
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Sphyrna tiburo 209 2
211 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae 15 4
19 Chloroscombrus chrysurus 6
6 12 Caranx crysos 2
1 3
Opisthonema oglinum*
1 1
Prionotus tribulus 1
1 Total 230 0
9 0
0 2
1 1
4 247
- Representative Important Species (RIS)
SL1 SL2 SL3 Total Taxon Table 6. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish Captured by Gill Net at Each Station, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Sphyrna tiburo 137.80 3.33 32.21 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae 9.89 6.15 2.90 Chloroscombrus chrysurus 3.96 10.00 1.83 Caranx crysos 2.73 1.76 0.46 Opisthonema oglinum*
1.67 0.15 Prionotus tribulus 1.40 0.15 Total 151.65 15.00 2.73 1.76 1.40 6.15 37.70
- Representative Important Species (RIS)
Total Table 7. Catch Per Unit Effort (Number of Individuals Per Hour of Soak Time) for Each Taxon of Fish Captured by Gill Net at Each Station, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), 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
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Crustaceans Panulirus argus*
1 1
2 Emerita talpoida*
1 1
Fish Harengula jaguana**
11 113 2
126 Umbrina coroides**
2 53 1
4 7
12 79 Menticirrhus littoralis**
1 5
12 18 4
11 51 Trachinotus carolinus**
2 1
4 1
4 3
1 16 Opisthonema oglinum**
2 10 12 Chloroscombrus chrysurus 5
5 Anchoa sp.**
1 1
Centropomus undecimalis 1
1 Decapterus macarellus 1
1 Diapterus auratus 1
1 Trachinotus goodei 1
1 Total 14 6
2 141 79 2
13 27 13 297
- Commercially and Recreationally Important Crustaceans
- Representative Important Species (RIS)
Table 8. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish and Invertebrates Captured by Beach Seine at Each Station, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
SL1 SL2 SL3 Total Taxa
TL (mm)
W (g) n N
TL (mm)
W (g) n N
TL (mm)
W (g) n N
Fish Anchoa hepsetus 59.2 1.5 1
1 Anchoa mitchilli 53.1 1.1 1
1 Anchoa sp.
22.7 0.05 15 15 18.1 0.1 1
1 Harengula jaguana 68.7 3.3 43 126 Menticirrhus littoralis 64.5 2.7 9
9 79.8 4.2 51 51 Opisthonema oglinum 237.0 125.0 1
1 65.2 2.6 12 12 Prionotus scitulus 152.5 33.6 2
2 Trachinotus carolinus 60.9 3.6 16 16 Umbrina coroides 61.8 3.1 50 152 96.0 6.8 56 79 Trawl Table 9. Average total length (TL) and average weight (Wt) of each Representative Important Species Captured by Gill Net, Trawl, and Beach Seine, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study. For each species the number weighed/measured (n) and the total number collected (N) are given.
Taxa Beach Seine Gill Net
A C
A C
A C
Crustaceans Albunea sp.
Zoea 0.020 1.425 0.042 4.755 0.982 0.840 1.380 Emerita talpoida Zoea 0.449 0.025 0.146 0.189 0.053 0.040 0.152 Lepidopa websteri Zoea 0.188 0.075 0.421 0.125 Menippe mercenaria Zoea 0.675 0.042 0.105 0.040 0.125 Callinectes sp.
Megalops 0.163 0.351 0.094 Penaeidae Protozoea 0.225 0.167 0.094 0.035 0.040 0.088 Penaeidae Post Larvae 0.246 0.047 Callinectes sp.
Zoea 0.275 0.019 0.040 Sicyonia brevirostris Mysis 0.020 0.003 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Post Larvae 0.021 0.003 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Post Larvae 0.020 0.003 Lepidopa sp.
Zoea 0.020 0.003 Penaeidae Zoea 0.025 0.003 Eggs Unidentified eggs Egg 25.776 6.825 12.542 5.113 16.877 4.160 12.051 Clupeidae Egg 1.275 0.018 0.400 0.242 Fish Clupeidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.050 2.875 1.509 0.020 0.764 Microgobius gulosus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.050 0.021 0.566 0.111 Table 10. 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, Post Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), 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.)
Taxa LifeStage SL1 SL2 SL3 Total
Table 10. 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, Post Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), 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.)
Clupeidae Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.625 0.084 Gobiidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.020 0.025 0.021 0.283 0.100 0.077 Engraulidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.082 0.226 0.054 Lutjanus sp.
Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.208 0.020 0.040 Cerdale floridana Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.189 0.034 Blenniidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.094 0.053 0.027 Sciaenidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.050 0.104 0.018 0.027 Microgobius thalassinus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.042 0.100 0.024 Diodontidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.042 0.040 0.013 Monacanthus ciliatus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.041 0.018 0.010 Sparidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.060 0.010 Bregmacerotidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.038 0.007 Carangidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.042 0.007 Chaetodipterus faber Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.038 0.007 Gobiosoma robustum Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.038 0.007 Labridae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.035 0.007 Paralichthyidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.042 0.007 Scorpaenidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.041 0.007 Bairdiella chrysoura Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.021 0.003 Haemulidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.018 0.003 Labrisomidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.019 0.003 Leiostomus xanthurus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.020 0.003
Table 10. 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, Post Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), 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.)
Lutjanidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.018 0.003 Melanocetidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.018 0.003 Menticirrhus sp.
Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.018 0.003 Monacanthidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.020 0.003 Parablennius marmoreus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.018 0.003 Perciformes Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.018 0.003 Pomacanthidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.020 0.003 Scorpaeniformes Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.025 0.003 Unidentified fragment Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.025 0.003 26.163 10.150 16.167 7.000 19.789 5.060 14.195 Total
Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass 1 Pass 2 Chelonia mydas 0
0 4
2 0
0 SPECIES SL 1 SL 2 SL 3 Table 11. Number of Individuals of Each Species of Sea Turtle Sighted During Each of Two Passes Along Three One-Kilometer-Long Transects, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
Florida Power & Light Company Biological Plan of Study Implementation for St. Lucie Plant EPU Post-Uprate Event 3 Data Report Report to Florida Power & Light Company September 2013 Submitted by Ecological Associates, Inc.
Post Office Box 405 Jensen Beach, Florida
ECOLOGICAL ASSOCIATES, INC., JENSEN BEACH, FLORIDA INTRODUCTION During June 2013, Ecological Associates, Inc. (EAI) conducted the third post-uprate field sampling event in accordance with the St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Plan of Study. Sampling was conducted on six days between June 3 and June 27. 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 third post-uprate 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 34-45 ft, and Transect C was located approximately 8,000 ft. from shore in water depths of 31-47 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.
POST-UPRATE EVENT 3 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 scientific and common names of all specimens captured by all gear types are listed in Table 3. The numbers of fish and invertebrates collected in each 15-minute tow are presented in Table 4. 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 5.
The numbers of fish and invertebrates collected by gill net on each of the nine transects is given in Table 6. 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 7.
Beach seines were deployed at each of the nine stations previously described. The numbers of fish and invertebrates collected at each station are presented in Table 8.
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 9.
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 10.
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 11.
Table 1. Environmental Data, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), 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 and Direction Sky Conditions Trawls/
Ichthyoplankton 6/3/13 Flat 25.6-26.1°C 0-2 mph, NW to SE Mostly Cloudy Trawls/
Ichthyoplankton 6/4/12 Flat to 1-2 ft swell 26.6-27.5°C 0-5 mph, S to SSE Mostly Cloudy Gill Nets 6/26/13 2-3 ft swell, light chop 28.9-31.4°C 5-10 mph, SE Partly Cloudy Gill Nets 6/27/13 1-2 ft swell, light chop 28.7-29.8°C 1-5 mph, SE Clear Beach Seines 6/12/13 1-3 ft swell, light chop 28.5-32.1°C 0-7 mph, NE to SW Clear Sea Turtle Transects 6/4/13 Calm 28.9°C 2-3 mph, E Overcast
Transect Station Depth Specific Conductivity (mS/cm)
Water Temp
(°C)
Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)
Surface 54.7 25.7 36.3 8.1 6.0 Mid-Depth 54.8 25.7 36.3 8.1 5.9 Bottom 54.8 25.7 36.3 8.1 5.9 Surface 54.8 25.8 36.3 8.1 6.0 Mid-Depth 54.8 25.7 36.3 8.1 6.0 Bottom 54.7 25.7 36.3 8.1 5.7 Surface 54.9 25.8 36.4 8.1 5.9 Mid-Depth 55.0 25.3 36.4 8.1 5.7 Bottom 55.0 24.9 36.4 8.1 6.3 Surface 54.7 25.5 36.2 8.2 6.1 Mid-Depth 54.9 23.6 36.3 8.2 6.4 Bottom 54.9 23.1 36.2 8.2 6.8 Surface 54.7 25.5 36.2 8.2 6.2 Mid-Depth 54.9 23.6 36.3 8.2 6.6 Bottom 54.9 23.0 36.2 8.2 6.9 Surface 55.0 25.5 36.4 8.2 6.2 Mid-Depth 55.0 23.6 36.3 8.2 6.5 Bottom 55.0 23.0 36.3 8.2 7.0 Surface 55.0 24.4 36.3 8.2 6.5 Mid-Depth 55.0 23.3 36.3 8.2 6.8 Bottom 55.0 23.1 36.3 8.2 6.9 Surface 54.8 24.6 36.3 8.2 6.5 Mid-Depth 54.0 23.3 36.3 8.2 6.8 Bottom 54.0 23.1 36.2 8.2 6.9 Surface 54.8 24.5 36.3 8.2 6.4 Mid-Depth 54.9 23.2 36.3 8.2 6.8 Bottom 54.9 23.2 36.2 8.2 6.9 Surface 54.7 25.1 36.2 8.1 6.1 Mid-Depth 54.8 24.3 36.2 8.2 6.3 Bottom 54.8 23.9 36.2 8.2 6.3 Surface 54.7 24.8 36.2 8.2 6.1 Mid-Depth 54.8 24.1 36.2 8.2 6.3 Bottom 54.9 23.3 36.3 8.2 6.5 Surface 54.8 24.5 36.3 8.2 6.3 Mid-Depth 54.9 23.8 36.3 8.2 6.5 Bottom 54.9 23.8 36.3 8.2 6.5 Trawl SL1 B Trawl SL1 C Trawl SL2 A North Middle South North Middle Trawl SL1 A Table 2. Water Quality Data, Post Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
South North Middle South North Middle South
Transect Station Depth Specific Conductivity (mS/cm)
Water Temp
(°C)
Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)
Table 2. Water Quality Data, Post Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
Surface 54.8 24.2 36.2 8.2 6.6 Mid-Depth 54.9 22.5 36.2 8.2 7.1 Bottom 54.9 22.5 36.2 8.2 7.1 Surface 54.8 24.2 36.3 8.1 6.7 Mid-Depth 54.9 22.5 36.2 8.2 7.1 Bottom 54.9 22.5 36.2 8.2 7.1 Surface 55.0 24.3 36.4 8.1 6.4 Mid-Depth 55.0 22.4 36.4 8.2 7.1 Bottom 55.0 22.4 36.3 8.2 7.0 Surface 54.6 23.9 36.1 8.2 6.5 Mid-Depth 54.8 23.1 36.2 8.2 6.7 Bottom 54.8 22.8 36.2 8.2 6.9 Surface 54.6 23.9 36.1 8.2 6.5 Mid-Depth 54.8 22.7 36.1 8.2 6.8 Bottom 54.8 22.7 36.1 8.2 6.8 Surface 54.7 24.0 36.1 8.2 6.4 Mid-Depth 54.9 22.7 36.2 8.2 6.8 Bottom 54.9 22.7 36.2 8.2 6.8 Surface 54.6 25.5 36.2 8.1 6.4 Mid-Depth 54.7 24.0 36.2 8.1 6.5 Bottom 55.0 22.8 36.3 8.1 7.2 Surface 54.5 25.5 36.1 8.1 6.2 Mid-Depth 54.9 23.1 36.3 8.2 7.2 Bottom 54.9 22.8 36.2 8.2 7.1 Surface 54.5 25.5 36.1 8.1 6.2 Mid-Depth 54.9 23.2 36.3 8.2 6.7 Bottom 54.9 23.0 36.2 8.2 6.8 Surface 54.4 25.2 36.0 8.2 6.2 Mid-Depth 54.9 22.5 36.2 8.2 6.7 Bottom 55.0 22.1 36.2 8.3 6.6 Surface 54.2 25.3 35.8 8.2 6.2 Mid-Depth 54.8 22.4 36.1 8.2 6.8 Bottom 54.8 22.1 36.1 8.2 6.9 Surface 54.2 25.3 35.9 8.2 6.2 Mid-Depth 54.8 22.4 36.1 8.2 6.8 Bottom 54.8 22.1 36.1 8.2 6.9 Trawl SL3 B North Middle South Trawl SL3 A North Middle South Trawl SL2 B Trawl SL2 C South North Middle South North Middle
Transect Station Depth Specific Conductivity (mS/cm)
Water Temp
(°C)
Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)
Table 2. Water Quality Data, Post Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
Surface 54.2 25.5 35.9 8.2 6.0 Mid-Depth 54.8 22.3 36.1 8.2 6.4 Bottom 54.8 22.2 36.1 8.2 6.2 Surface 54.2 25.5 35.9 8.2 6.1 Mid-Depth 54.8 22.3 36.1 8.2 6.3 Bottom 54.8 22.2 36.1 8.2 6.3 Surface 54.3 25.6 35.9 8.2 6.3 Mid-Depth 54.9 22.3 36.2 8.2 6.4 Bottom 54.9 22.2 36.2 8.3 6.2 Surface 52.6 24.8 34.6 8.1 6.2 Mid-Depth 52.5 24.0 34.6 8.1 6.1 Bottom 52.4 23.8 34.5 8.1 5.9 Surface 52.3 24.9 34.4 8.1 5.8 Mid-Depth 52.3 24.2 34.4 8.1 6.0 Bottom 52.3 24.0 34.4 8.1 5.7 Surface 52.4 24.6 34.4 8.1 5.5 Mid-Depth 52.3 24.2 34.4 8.1 5.8 Bottom 52.2 24.2 34.4 8.1 5.9 Surface 52.6 25.3 34.6 8.1 6.3 Mid-Depth 52.4 24.3 34.5 8.2 6.5 Bottom 52.4 23.5 34.5 8.1 6.0 Surface 52.7 25.0 34.6 8.2 6.2 Mid-Depth 52.2 24.6 34.5 8.2 6.4 Bottom 52.4 24.0 34.4 8.1 6.0 Surface 52.4 25.1 34.5 8.1 6.1 Mid-Depth 52.3 24.3 34.4 8.1 6.0 Bottom 52.2 24.0 34.3 8.1 6.0 Surface 53.5 25.4 35.3 8.1 7.5 Mid-Depth 53.6 24.4 35.3 8.1 7.8 Bottom 53.6 23.3 35.1 8.1 6.7 Surface 52.5 25.3 34.5 8.1 6.6 Mid-Depth 52.6 24.4 34.7 8.1 7.0 Bottom 52.8 23.4 34.6 8.1 6.5 Surface 52.3 25.3 34.4 8.1 6.5 Mid-Depth 52.3 24.2 34.4 8.1 6.6 Bottom 52.5 23.4 34.5 8.1 6.3 Gill Net SL1 C East Middle West Gill Net SL1 A East Middle West Gill Net SL1 B East Middle West Trawl SL3 C North Middle South
Transect Station Depth Specific Conductivity (mS/cm)
Water Temp
(°C)
Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)
Table 2. Water Quality Data, Post Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
Surface 53.8 25.1 35.5 8.0 6.8 Mid-Depth 53.8 24.5 35.4 8.1 7.1 Bottom 53.8 23.8 35.5 8.1 6.8 Surface 53.7 25.0 35.4 8.1 6.7 Mid-Depth 53.4 24.5 35.4 8.1 6.9 Bottom 53.7 23.8 35.5 8.1 6.9 Surface 53.8 25.0 35.5 8.1 6.5 Mid-Depth 53.8 24.8 35.5 8.1 6.5 Bottom 53.9 24.0 35.6 8.1 6.4 Surface 54.9 25.0 36.4 8.2 6.7 Mid-Depth 54.9 23.7 36.2 8.2 6.8 Bottom 54.6 23.3 36.1 8.2 6.6 Surface 54.9 25.0 36.4 8.1 6.7 Mid-Depth 54.7 23.7 36.1 8.2 6.8 Bottom 54.5 23.3 36.0 8.1 6.6 Surface 54.7 25.0 36.1 8.1 6.7 Mid-Depth 54.5 23.9 36.0 8.2 6.8 Bottom 54.5 23.5 36.0 8.1 6.7 Surface 54.8 25.3 36.2 8.1 6.6 Mid-Depth 54.7 23.8 35.9 8.2 6.9 Bottom 54.6 23.3 36.0 8.2 7.0 Surface 54.4 25.4 35.9 8.1 6.6 Mid-Depth 54.1 23.8 35.8 8.2 6.9 Bottom 54.1 23.1 35.6 8.2 6.9 Surface 54.1 25.3 35.7 8.1 6.6 Mid-Depth 53.8 24.0 35.5 8.2 6.9 Bottom 53.9 23.1 35.5 8.2 6.8 Surface 54.4 23.6 36.0 8.2 6.8 Mid-Depth 54.4 22.7 35.8 8.2 7.1 Bottom 54.3 22.7 35.7 8.2 7.2 Surface 53.9 23.7 35.5 8.2 6.7 Mid-Depth 53.9 22.8 35.5 8.2 7.1 Bottom 53.8 22.8 35.4 8.2 7.1 Surface 53.7 23.9 35.3 8.2 6.6 Mid-Depth 53.6 22.9 35.2 8.2 7.0 Bottom 53.5 22.8 35.2 8.2 7.0 Gill Net SL3 A East Middle West Gill Net SL2 B East Middle West Gill Net SL2 C East Middle West Gill Net SL2 A East Middle West
Transect Station Depth Specific Conductivity (mS/cm)
Water Temp
(°C)
Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)
Table 2. Water Quality Data, Post Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
Surface 54.2 24.1 35.6 8.2 7.0 Mid-Depth 54.0 23.0 35.5 8.2 7.4 Bottom 53.9 22.0 35.4 8.2 7.4 Surface 53.5 24.2 35.1 8.2 6.7 Mid-Depth 53.4 23.0 35.1 8.2 7.2 Bottom 53.3 22.2 35.0 8.2 7.2 Surface 52.9 24.3 34.8 8.2 6.7 Mid-Depth 53.0 23.0 34.8 8.2 7.2 Bottom 53.0 22.3 34.7 8.2 7.2 Surface 53.2 24.5 35.0 8.2 7.1 Mid-Depth 53.3 22.7 35.0 8.2 7.3 Bottom 53.1 21.8 34.8 8.2 7.5 Surface 52.8 24.9 34.6 8.2 6.8 Mid-Depth 52.9 22.6 34.7 8.2 7.1 Bottom 52.8 21.8 34.6 8.2 7.2 Surface 52.4 24.7 34.5 8.2 6.7 Mid-Depth 52.6 22.6 34.6 8.2 7.0 Bottom 52.6 21.9 34.5 8.2 7.1 Gill Net SL3 C East Middle West Gill Net SL3 B East Middle West
Scientific Name Common Name Crustaceans Acetes americanus aviu shrimp Albunea sp.
mole crab Arenaeus cribrarius*
speckled swimming crab Calappa flammea flame box crab Callinectes sp.
swimming crab Chlamydopleon dissimile opossum shrimp Emerita talpoida*
Atlantic sand crab Farfantepenaeus aztecus*
brown shrimp Farfantepenaeus duorarum*
pink shrimp Hepatus epheliticus calico crab Latreutes parvulus sargassum shrimp Lepidopa sp.
mole crab Lepidopa websteri Webster's mole crab Majoidea spider crabs Menippe mercenaria Florida stone crab Paguroidea hermit crab Panulirus argus*
Caribbean spiny lobster Penaeidae penaeid shrimp Persephona mediterranea mottled purse crab Portunus gibbesii iridescent swimming crab Portunus sp.
portunid crab Portunus spinimanus blotched swimming crab Processa hemphilli night shrimp Rimapenaeus sp.*
roughneck shrimp Sicyonia brevirostris brown rock shrimp Synalpheus sp.
snapping shrimp Echinoderms Mellitidae sand dollar Table 3. Scientific and Common Names of Taxa Captured by Trawl, Plankton Netting, Gill Netting, and Beach Seining or Observed in Sea Turtle Surveys, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
Scientific Name Common Name Table 3. Scientific and Common Names of Taxa Captured by Trawl, Plankton Netting, Gill Netting, and Beach Seining or Observed in Sea Turtle Surveys, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
Fish and Eggs Anchoa hepsetus**
striped anchovy Anchoa mitchilli**
bay anchovy Anchoa sp.**
common anchovy Bairdiella chrysoura silver perch Blenniidae blenny Bregmacerotidae codlets Carangidae jacks Caranx crysos blue runner Centropomus undecimalis common Snook Cerdale floridana pugjaw wormfish Chaetodipterus faber Atlantic spadefish Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic bumper Clupeidae herrings and sardines Dactyloscopus crossotus bigeye stargazer Decapterus macarellus mackerel scad Diapterus auratus Irish pompano Diodontidae burrfishes Engraulidae anchovies Gobiidae gobies Gobiosoma robustum code goby Haemulidae grunts Harengula jaguana**
scaled sardine Labridae wrasses Labrisomidae labrisomid blennies Larimus fasciatus banded drum Leiostomus xanthurus spot Lutjanidae snappers Lutjanus sp.
snapper Melanocetidae deepsea anglerfishes Menticirrhus littoralis**
Gulf kingfish
Scientific Name Common Name Table 3. Scientific and Common Names of Taxa Captured by Trawl, Plankton Netting, Gill Netting, and Beach Seining or Observed in Sea Turtle Surveys, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
Menticirrhus sp.
kingfishes Microgobius thalassinus green goby Monacanthidae filefishes Monacanthus ciliatus fringed filefish Opisthonema oglinum**
Atlantic thread herring Parablennius marmoreus seaweed blenny Paralichthyidae sand flounders Perciformes perch-like fishes Pomacanthidae angelfishes Prionotus scitulus**
leopard searobin Prionotus tribulus bighead searobin Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic sharpnose shark Sciaenidae drums and croakers Scorpaenidae scorpionfishes Scorpaeniformes scorpionfishes Selene setapinnis Atlantic moonfish Sparidae porgies Sphyrna tiburo bonnethead shark Trachinotus carolinus**
Florida pompano Trachinotus goodei palometa Umbrina coroides**
sand drum Unidentified fragment unidentified larval fragment Sea Turtles Chelonia mydas**
- Commercially and recreationally important (CRI) decapod crustaceans
- Representative Important Species (RIS)
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Crustaceans Acetes americanus 7
9 3
19 Rimapenaeus sp.*
3 3
5 11 Farfantepenaeus duorarum
- 4 4
Penaeidae 1
2 1
4 Arenaeus cribrarius*
1 1
2 Latreutes parvulus 2
2 Portunus gibbesii 2
2 Portunus sp.
1 1
2 Portunus spinimanus 2
2 Chlamydopleon dissimile 1
1 Hepatus epheliticus 1
1 Majoidea 1
1 Paguroidea 1
1 Persephona mediterranea 1
1 Processa hemphilli 1
1 Synalpheus sp.
1 1
Echinoderms Mellitidae 11 2
13 Table 4. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish and Invertebrates Captured by Trawl during One 15-minute Tow at Each Station, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
SL1 SL2 SL3 Total Taxon
Fish Umbrina coroides**
132 2
4 14 152 Anchoa sp.**
3 12 15 Chloroscombrus chrysurus 11 11 Larimus fasciatus 7
1 1
9 Menticirrhus littoralis **
7 2
9 Prionotus scitulus**
1 1
2 Anchoa hepsetus**
1 1
Anchoa mitchilli**
1 1
Dactyloscopus crossotus 1
1 Selene setapinnis 1
1 Total 180 12 12 20 3
6 33 4
0 271
- Commercially and Recreationally Important Crustaceans
- Representative Important Species (RIS)
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Crustaceans Acetes americanus 8.16 10.76 3.59 28.23 Arenaeus cribrarius*
1.20 2.30 2.97 Chlamydopleon dissimile 1.17 1.49 Farfantepenaeus duorarum
- 4.66 5.94 Hepatus epheliticus 0.97 1.49 Latreutes parvulus 2.39 2.97 Majoidea 1.17 1.49 Paguroidea 1.20 1.49 Penaeidae 1.17 1.95 1.40 5.94 Persephona mediterranea 1.20 1.49 Portunus gibbesii 2.82 2.97 Portunus sp.
1.40 2.30 2.97 Portunus spinimanus 2.82 2.97 Processa hemphilli 1.20 1.49 Rimapenaeus sp.*
3.50 3.59 11.49 16.34 Synalpheus sp.
1.20 1.49 Echinoderms Mellitidae 17.14 2.80 19.32 Table 5. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish and Invertebrates Captured per Kilometer by Trawl at Each Station, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), 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
Fish Anchoa hepsetus**
1.17 1.49 Anchoa mitchilli**
1.17 1.49 Anchoa sp.**
3.50 27.57 22.29 Chloroscombrus chrysurus 12.82 16.34 Dactyloscopus crossotus 1.40 1.49 Larimus fasciatus 8.16 1.20 1.20 13.37 Menticirrhus littoralis **
8.16 2.39 13.37 Prionotus scitulus 1.56 1.40 2.97 Selene setapinnis 1.17 1.49 Umbrina coroides**
153.90 2.39 4.78 32.16 225.85 Total 209.86 14.35 18.70 23.91 2.92 8.39 75.81 5.63 0.00 402.67
- Commercially and Recreationally Important Crustaceans
- Representative Important Species (RIS)
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Sphyrna tiburo 209 2
211 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae 15 4
19 Chloroscombrus chrysurus 6
6 12 Caranx crysos 2
1 3
Opisthonema oglinum*
1 1
Prionotus tribulus 1
1 Total 230 0
9 0
0 2
1 1
4 247
- Representative Important Species (RIS)
SL1 SL2 SL3 Total Taxon Table 6. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish Captured by Gill Net at Each Station, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Sphyrna tiburo 137.80 3.33 32.21 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae 9.89 6.15 2.90 Chloroscombrus chrysurus 3.96 10.00 1.83 Caranx crysos 2.73 1.76 0.46 Opisthonema oglinum*
1.67 0.15 Prionotus tribulus 1.40 0.15 Total 151.65 15.00 2.73 1.76 1.40 6.15 37.70
- Representative Important Species (RIS)
Total Table 7. Catch Per Unit Effort (Number of Individuals Per Hour of Soak Time) for Each Taxon of Fish Captured by Gill Net at Each Station, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), 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
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Crustaceans Panulirus argus*
1 1
2 Emerita talpoida*
1 1
Fish Harengula jaguana**
11 113 2
126 Umbrina coroides**
2 53 1
4 7
12 79 Menticirrhus littoralis**
1 5
12 18 4
11 51 Trachinotus carolinus**
2 1
4 1
4 3
1 16 Opisthonema oglinum**
2 10 12 Chloroscombrus chrysurus 5
5 Anchoa sp.**
1 1
Centropomus undecimalis 1
1 Decapterus macarellus 1
1 Diapterus auratus 1
1 Trachinotus goodei 1
1 Total 14 6
2 141 79 2
13 27 13 297
- Commercially and Recreationally Important Crustaceans
- Representative Important Species (RIS)
Table 8. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish and Invertebrates Captured by Beach Seine at Each Station, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
SL1 SL2 SL3 Total Taxa
TL (mm)
W (g) n N
TL (mm)
W (g) n N
TL (mm)
W (g) n N
Fish Anchoa hepsetus 59.2 1.5 1
1 Anchoa mitchilli 53.1 1.1 1
1 Anchoa sp.
22.7 0.05 15 15 18.1 0.1 1
1 Harengula jaguana 68.7 3.3 43 126 Menticirrhus littoralis 64.5 2.7 9
9 79.8 4.2 51 51 Opisthonema oglinum 237.0 125.0 1
1 65.2 2.6 12 12 Prionotus scitulus 152.5 33.6 2
2 Trachinotus carolinus 60.9 3.6 16 16 Umbrina coroides 61.8 3.1 50 152 96.0 6.8 56 79 Trawl Table 9. Average total length (TL) and average weight (Wt) of each Representative Important Species Captured by Gill Net, Trawl, and Beach Seine, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study. For each species the number weighed/measured (n) and the total number collected (N) are given.
Taxa Beach Seine Gill Net
A C
A C
A C
Crustaceans Albunea sp.
Zoea 0.020 1.425 0.042 4.755 0.982 0.840 1.380 Emerita talpoida Zoea 0.449 0.025 0.146 0.189 0.053 0.040 0.152 Lepidopa websteri Zoea 0.188 0.075 0.421 0.125 Menippe mercenaria Zoea 0.675 0.042 0.105 0.040 0.125 Callinectes sp.
Megalops 0.163 0.351 0.094 Penaeidae Protozoea 0.225 0.167 0.094 0.035 0.040 0.088 Penaeidae Post Larvae 0.246 0.047 Callinectes sp.
Zoea 0.275 0.019 0.040 Sicyonia brevirostris Mysis 0.020 0.003 Farfantepenaeus aztecus Post Larvae 0.021 0.003 Farfantepenaeus duorarum Post Larvae 0.020 0.003 Lepidopa sp.
Zoea 0.020 0.003 Penaeidae Zoea 0.025 0.003 Eggs Unidentified eggs Egg 25.776 6.825 12.542 5.113 16.877 4.160 12.051 Clupeidae Egg 1.275 0.018 0.400 0.242 Fish Clupeidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.050 2.875 1.509 0.020 0.764 Microgobius gulosus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.050 0.021 0.566 0.111 Table 10. 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, Post Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), 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.)
Taxa LifeStage SL1 SL2 SL3 Total
Table 10. 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, Post Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), 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.)
Clupeidae Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.625 0.084 Gobiidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.020 0.025 0.021 0.283 0.100 0.077 Engraulidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.082 0.226 0.054 Lutjanus sp.
Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.208 0.020 0.040 Cerdale floridana Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.189 0.034 Blenniidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.094 0.053 0.027 Sciaenidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.050 0.104 0.018 0.027 Microgobius thalassinus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.042 0.100 0.024 Diodontidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.042 0.040 0.013 Monacanthus ciliatus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.041 0.018 0.010 Sparidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.060 0.010 Bregmacerotidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.038 0.007 Carangidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.042 0.007 Chaetodipterus faber Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.038 0.007 Gobiosoma robustum Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.038 0.007 Labridae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.035 0.007 Paralichthyidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.042 0.007 Scorpaenidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.041 0.007 Bairdiella chrysoura Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.021 0.003 Haemulidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.018 0.003 Labrisomidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.019 0.003 Leiostomus xanthurus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.020 0.003
Table 10. 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, Post Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), 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.)
Lutjanidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.018 0.003 Melanocetidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.018 0.003 Menticirrhus sp.
Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.018 0.003 Monacanthidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.020 0.003 Parablennius marmoreus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.018 0.003 Perciformes Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.018 0.003 Pomacanthidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.020 0.003 Scorpaeniformes Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.025 0.003 Unidentified fragment Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.025 0.003 26.163 10.150 16.167 7.000 19.789 5.060 14.195 Total
Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass 1 Pass 2 Chelonia mydas 0
0 4
2 0
0 SPECIES SL 1 SL 2 SL 3 Table 11. Number of Individuals of Each Species of Sea Turtle Sighted During Each of Two Passes Along Three One-Kilometer-Long Transects, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 3 (June 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.