ML15314A318
Text
Florida Power & Light Company Biological Plan of Study Implementation for St. Lucie Plant EPU Post-Uprate Event 4 Data Report Report to Florida Power & Light Company October 2013 Submitted by Ecological Associates, Inc.
Post Office Box 405 Jensen Beach, Florida
ECOLOGICAL ASSOCIATES, INC., JENSEN BEACH, FLORIDA INTRODUCTION During July and August 2013, Ecological Associates, Inc. (EAI) conducted the fourth post-uprate field sampling event in accordance with the St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Plan of Study.
Sampling was conducted on six days between July 24 and August 15. 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 fourth 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 4 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.
Sampling Date Sea Conditions Air Temp Wind Speed and Direction Sky Conditions Trawls/
Ichthyoplankton 7/24/2013 1-2 ft swell 27.5-28.4°C 1-5 mph, SSE to W Mostly Cloudy Trawls/
Ichthyoplankton 7/25/2013 Calm to 1 ft swell 27.2-30.8°C 2-8 mph, SW to W Partly to Mostly Cloudy Gill Nets 8/13/2013 2 ft swell 31.2-34.8°C 3-10 mph, SE Clear to Partly Cloudy Gill Nets 8/14/2013 1-2 ft swell 30.6-31.7°C 3-5 mph, SE Clear Beach Seines 7/30/2013 1-2 ft swell 29.9-33.3°C 1-7 mph, SSE-NNE Clear to Overcast Sea Turtle Transects 8/15/2013 1 ft swell 27.6-32.3°C 2-4 mph, SE Mostly Cloudy to Overcast Table 1. Environmental Data, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 4 (July-August 2013), St. Luice Plant EPU Biological Study. Values reflect the range of values recorded throughout each day of sampling.
Transect Station Depth Specific Conducti vity (mS/cm)
Water Temp
(°C)
Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)
Surface 54.6 25.2 36.1 8.0 5.6 Mid-Depth 54.6 25.1 36.1 8.0 5.6 Bottom 54.7 24.9 36.2 8.0 5.5 Surface 54.7 25.3 36.2 8.0 5.6 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.1 36.2 8.1 5.6 Bottom 54.7 24.8 36.2 8.1 5.4 Surface 54.7 25.5 36.2 8.1 5.6 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.1 36.2 8.1 5.4 Bottom 54.7 24.9 36.2 8.0 4.9 Surface 54.7 25.8 36.2 8.1 5.8 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.6 36.2 8.1 5.9 Bottom 54.7 25.5 36.2 8.1 5.8 Surface 54.7 25.7 36.2 8.1 5.9 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.6 36.2 8.1 5.9 Bottom 54.7 25.5 36.2 8.1 5.9 Surface 54.7 25.7 36.2 8.0 6.0 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.6 36.2 8.1 5.9 Bottom 54.7 25.5 36.2 8.1 5.8 Surface 54.6 25.8 36.2 8.1 6.0 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.7 36.2 8.1 5.9 Bottom 54.7 25.5 36.2 8.1 6.0 Surface 54.7 25.8 36.2 8.1 5.9 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.6 36.2 8.1 5.9 Bottom 54.7 25.4 36.2 8.1 5.9 Surface 54.7 25.9 36.3 8.1 5.8 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.7 36.2 8.1 5.9 Bottom 54.7 25.5 36.2 8.1 5.9 Surface 54.7 25.3 36.2 8.1 5.3 Mid-Depth 54.8 25.3 36.2 8.1 5.3 Bottom 54.8 25.1 36.3 8.1 5.3 Surface 54.7 25.2 36.2 8.1 5.2 Mid-Depth 54.8 25.1 36.3 8.1 5.4 Bottom 54.8 25.0 36.3 8.1 5.4 Surface 54.7 25.1 36.3 8.0 5.7 Mid-Depth 54.8 24.9 36.3 8.1 5.4 Bottom 54.8 24.9 36.3 8.1 5.4 Trawl SL1 C North Middle South Trawl SL2 A North Middle South Table 2. Water Quality Data, Post Uprate Sampling Event 4 (July-August 2013), St.
Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
Trawl SL1 A North Middle South Trawl SL1 B North Middle South
Transect Station Depth Specific Conducti vity (mS/cm)
Water Temp
(°C)
Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)
Surface 54.4 27.0 36.1 8.1 6.0 Mid-Depth 54.8 24.4 36.3 8.1 5.7 Bottom 54.8 24.3 36.2 8.1 5.7 Surface 54.3 27.2 36.0 8.1 5.9 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.3 36.2 8.1 5.8 Bottom 54.8 24.2 36.2 8.1 5.7 Surface 54.2 27.4 36.0 8.0 6.1 Mid-Depth 54.8 25.3 36.2 8.1 5.8 Bottom 54.8 24.2 36.2 8.1 5.7 Surface 54.0 27.7 35.9 8.1 6.0 Mid-Depth 54.7 26.0 36.2 8.1 6.0 Bottom 54.8 24.8 36.3 8.1 6.0 Surface 54.0 27.8 35.8 8.1 6.1 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.7 36.3 8.1 6.2 Bottom 54.8 24.4 36.2 8.1 5.8 Surface 53.9 27.9 35.8 8.0 6.1 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.7 36.3 8.1 6.2 Bottom 54.8 24.3 36.2 8.1 5.8 Surface 54.7 25.8 36.2 8.1 5.7 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.7 36.2 8.1 5.4 Bottom 54.8 25.6 36.3 8.1 5.4 Surface 54.7 25.7 36.2 8.1 5.6 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.7 36.2 8.1 5.5 Bottom 54.7 25.7 36.2 8.1 5.5 Surface 54.7 25.8 36.3 8.1 5.8 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.8 36.3 8.1 5.6 Bottom 54.7 25.8 36.2 8.1 5.6 Surface 54.5 26.7 36.1 8.1 6.2 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.2 36.1 8.1 5.8 Bottom 54.7 24.3 36.2 8.1 5.6 Surface 54.6 26.6 36.1 8.1 6.2 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.2 36.2 8.1 5.8 Bottom 54.7 24.3 36.2 8.1 5.6 Surface 54.6 26.5 36.2 8.1 6.3 Mid-Depth 54.6 25.2 36.2 8.1 5.8 Bottom 54.7 24.2 36.2 8.1 5.7 Trawl SL3 A North Middle South Trawl SL3 B North Middle South Trawl SL2 B North Middle South Trawl SL2 C North Middle South
Transect Station Depth Specific Conducti vity (mS/cm)
Water Temp
(°C)
Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)
Surface 54.3 25.2 36.0 8.1 6.3 Mid-Depth 54.6 25.0 36.1 8.1 6.0 Bottom 54.7 24.4 36.1 8.1 5.7 Surface 54.4 27.1 36.1 8.1 6.4 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.1 36.1 8.1 5.9 Bottom 54.8 24.0 36.2 8.1 5.8 Surface 54.5 27.1 36.0 8.1 6.3 Mid-Depth 54.6 25.9 36.1 8.1 6.0 Bottom 54.7 23.9 36.1 8.1 5.7 Surface 55.5 24.8 36.8 7.9 5.1 Mid-Depth 55.5 24.6 36.8 8.0 5.2 Bottom 55.5 24.4 36.8 8.0 5.1 Surface 55.6 24.8 36.8 8.0 5.1 Mid-Depth 55.5 24.6 36.8 8.0 5.2 Bottom 55.5 24.5 36.8 8.0 5.4 Surface 55.5 24.9 36.8 8.0 5.1 Mid-Depth 55.5 24.7 36.8 8.0 5.1 Bottom 55.5 24.6 36.8 8.0 5.1 Surface 55.4 25.0 36.7 8.0 5.8 Mid-Depth 55.5 24.6 36.8 8.0 5.8 Bottom 55.5 24.0 36.7 8.0 5.8 Surface 55.5 25.0 36.8 8.0 5.7 Mid-Depth 55.5 24.6 36.8 8.0 5.7 Bottom 55.5 24.0 36.7 8.0 5.7 Surface 55.5 25.0 36.8 8.0 5.5 Mid-Depth 55.5 24.6 36.8 8.0 5.7 Bottom 55.5 24.0 36.8 8.0 5.7 Surface 55.4 25.3 36.7 8.0 6.2 Mid-Depth 55.5 24.4 36.7 8.0 5.8 Bottom 55.5 23.9 36.7 8.0 5.9 Surface 55.5 25.2 36.8 8.0 6.1 Mid-Depth 55.5 24.5 36.8 8.0 5.8 Bottom 55.5 23.9 36.7 8.0 5.9 Surface 55.5 25.2 36.8 8.0 6.3 Mid-Depth 55.4 24.7 36.8 8.0 5.9 Bottom 55.5 24.0 36.7 8.0 5.9 Gill Net SL1 B East Middle West Gill Net SL1 C East Middle West Trawl SL3 C North Middle South Gill Net SL1 A East Middle West
Transect Station Depth Specific Conducti vity (mS/cm)
Water Temp
(°C)
Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)
Surface 54.2 28.3 35.9 7.9 5.8 Mid-Depth 54.7 26.9 36.3 7.9 5.6 Bottom 55.1 25.4 36.5 7.9 5.6 Surface 54.2 28.3 36.0 7.9 5.6 Mid-Depth 54.6 27.2 36.2 7.9 5.5 Bottom 55.2 25.7 36.5 8.0 5.6 Surface 54.2 28.1 36.0 8.0 5.7 Mid-Depth 54.7 27.2 36.3 8.0 5.3 Bottom 55.0 25.9 36.5 7.9 4.9 Surface 54.0 28.2 35.9 8.0 5.7 Mid-Depth 55.0 26.4 36.4 8.0 5.4 Bottom 55.3 24.5 36.6 7.9 4.9 Surface 54.1 28.2 36.0 8.0 5.7 Mid-Depth 55.0 26.3 36.5 8.0 5.3 Bottom 55.3 24.5 36.6 8.0 5.0 Surface 54.1 28.2 35.9 8.0 5.7 Mid-Depth 55.0 26.3 36.4 8.0 5.3 Bottom 55.3 24.5 36.6 8.0 5.0 Surface 54.0 28.6 35.9 8.0 5.7 Mid-Depth 54.9 26.0 36.5 8.0 5.8 Bottom 55.2 25.1 36.6 8.0 5.6 Surface 54.0 28.6 35.9 8.0 5.7 Mid-Depth 55.0 25.7 36.5 8.0 5.7 Bottom 55.3 24.6 36.6 8.0 5.0 Surface 54.1 28.7 36.0 8.0 5.7 Mid-Depth 55.1 25.7 36.5 8.0 5.6 Bottom 55.3 24.7 36.6 8.0 5.2 Surface 54.7 28.5 36.5 8.1 6.0 Mid-Depth 55.2 26.1 36.6 8.1 5.8 Bottom 55.3 25.0 36.7 8.1 6.0 Surface 54.8 28.6 36.5 8.1 5.9 Mid-Depth 55.2 26.4 36.7 8.1 5.8 Bottom 55.3 25.3 36.5 8.1 5.8 Surface 54.9 28.5 36.5 8.1 5.9 Mid-Depth 55.2 26.3 36.7 8.1 5.8 Bottom 55.2 26.0 36.6 8.1 5.8 Gill Net SL2 C East Middle West Gill Net SL3 A East Middle West Gill Net SL2 A East Middle West Gill Net SL2 B East Middle West
Transect Station Depth Specific Conducti vity (mS/cm)
Water Temp
(°C)
Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)
Surface 54.5 29.0 36.4 8.0 6.0 Mid-Depth 55.2 25.4 36.6 8.1 6.0 Bottom 55.4 24.2 36.7 8.1 5.8 Surface 54.6 29.0 36.3 8.1 6.0 Mid-Depth 55.3 25.5 36.7 8.1 6.0 Bottom 55.4 24.2 36.7 8.1 5.8 Surface 54.7 28.9 36.4 8.1 5.9 Mid-Depth 55.2 25.5 36.7 8.1 5.9 Bottom 55.4 24.3 36.7 8.1 5.9 Surface 54.7 28.0 36.4 8.0 6.0 Mid-Depth 55.3 24.4 36.6 8.1 6.5 Bottom 55.5 23.3 36.7 8.1 6.5 Surface 54.7 28.7 36.4 8.0 5.8 Mid-Depth 55.2 25.4 36.6 8.1 6.4 Bottom 55.5 23.4 36.6 8.1 6.4 Surface 54.7 28.5 36.3 8.0 5.8 Mid-Depth 55.1 25.8 36.6 8.1 6.3 Bottom 55.5 23.4 36.7 8.1 6.3 Gill Net SL3 B East Middle West Gill Net SL3 C East Middle West
Scientific Name Common Name Crustaceans Albunea sp.
mole crabs Arenaeus cribrarius*
speckled swimming crab Calappa flammea flame box crab Callinectes sapidus*
blue crab Callinectes sp.
swimming crabs Emerita talpoida*
Atlantic sand crab Farfantepenaeus duorarum*
pink shrimp Lepidopa websteri Webster's mole crab Libinia dubia longnose spider crab Majidae spider crab Menippe mercenaria*
Florida stone crab Ovalipes sp.
lady crab Paguridae right-handed hermit crabs Paguroidea hermit crab Palaemonidae palaemonid shrimps Penaeidae penaeid shrimp Petrochirus diogenes giant hermit crab Pitho sp.
urn crabs Podochela sp.
spider crab Portunus gibbesii iridescent swimming crab Portunus sp.
portunid crab Portunus spinimanus blotched swimming crab Rimapenaeus constrictus*
roughneck shrimp Rimapenaeus sp.*
roughneck shrimp Scyllaridae slipper lobsters Echinoderms Astropecten sp.
sea star Lytechinus variegatus green sea urchin Mellitidae sand dollars Ophiuroidea brittle stars 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 4 (July-August 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
Scientific Name Common Name Fish and Eggs Achirus lineatus lined sole Alosa sp.**
herring Aluterus schoepfii orange filefish Anchoa lyolepis**
dusky anchovy Anchoa sp.**
common anchovy Bairdiella chrysoura silver perch Blenniidae combtooth blennies Carangidae jacks Carangoides bartholomaei yellow jack Caranx crysos blue runner Caranx hippos crevalle jack Caranx latus horse-eye jack Carcharhinus acronotus blacknose shark Centropomus undecimalis common Snook Centropristis striata black sea bass Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic bumper Citharichthys macrops spotted whiff Clupeidae**
herrings and sardines Cynoscion nebulosus spotted sea trout Dactyloscopidae sand stargazers Diodon sp.
porcupinefishes Elops saurus ladyfish Engraulidae**
anchovies Eucinostomus gula silver jenny Euthynnus alletteratus little tunny Gempylidae snake mackerels Gobiidae gobies Gobiosoma robustum code goby Gonostomatidae lightfishes Haemulidae grunts Harengula jaguana**
scaled sardine Hippocampus erectus spotted seahorse Lupinoblennius nicholsi highfin blenny
Scientific Name Common Name Lutjanidae snappers Lutjanus griseus gray snapper Menticirrhus americanus**
southern kingfish Menticirrhus littoralis**
Gulf kingfish Microgobius thalassinus green goby Monacanthus ciliatus fringed filefish Mugil cephalus striped mullet Myctophidae lanternfishes Ogcocephalus sp.
batfish Opisthonema oglinum**
Atlantic thread herring Pareques acuminatus high-hat Polydactylus oligodon littlescale threadfin Polydactylus virginicus barbu Pomacentridae damselfishes Prionotus tribulus bighead searobin Pseudocaranx dentex white trevally Rhinobatos lentiginosus Atlantic guitarfish Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic sharpnose shark Sardinella aurita**
Spanish sardine Sciaenidae drums and croakers Selar crumenophthalmus bigeyed scads Selene setapinnis Atlantic moonfish Selene vomer lookdown Serranidae sea basses and groupers Sphyrna tiburo bonnethead shark Syngnathidae pipefish and seahorses Synodus foetens inshore lizardfish Trachinotus carolinus**
Florida pompano Trachinotus falcatus permit Umbrina coroides sand drum Unidentified eggs unidentified eggs Molluscs Loliginidae squid Opisthobranchia opisthobranchs
Scientific Name Common Name 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 Paguroidea 1
3 22 26 Rimapenaeus sp.*
21 1
22 Portunus sp.
3 5
8 Rimapenaeus constrictus*
1 7
8 Podochela sp.
3 4
7 Portunus gibbesii 1
5 1
7 Libinia dubia 3
3 Callinectes sapidus*
2 2
Farfantepenaeus duorarum
- 2 2
Penaeidae 2
2 Calappa flammea 1
1 Majidae 1
1 Ovalipes sp.
1 1
Palaemonidae 1
1 Petrochirus diogenes 1
1 Pitho sp.
1 1
Portunus spinimanus 1
1 Echinoderms Mellitidae 1
1 Ophiuroidea 1
1 Taxon SL1 SL2 SL3 Total 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 4 (July-August 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Taxon SL1 SL2 SL3 Total Fish Umbrina coroides**
15 1
16 Monacanthus ciliatus 2
2 Anchoa sp.**
1 1
Molluscs Opisthobranchia 1
17 1
19 Loliginidae 1
1 Total 16 5
33 66 1
1 11 2
0 135
- Commercially and Recreationally Important Crustaceans
- Representative Important Species (RIS)
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Crustaceans Paguroidea 1.25 3.88 27.26 3.47 Rimapenaeus sp.*
26.03 0.88 2.94 Portunus sp.
3.88 6.20 1.07 Rimapenaeus constrictus*
1.06 8.51 1.07 Podochela sp.
3.88 4.96 0.93 Portunus gibbesii 1.06 6.46 1.53 0.93 Libinia dubia 3.72 0.40 Callinectes sapidus*
2.48 0.27 Farfantepenaeus duorarum
- 2.43 0.27 Penaeidae 2.48 0.27 Calappa flammea 0.88 0.13 Majidae 1.24 0.13 Ovalipes sp.
1.06 0.13 Palaemonidae 1.24 0.13 Petrochirus diogenes 1.22 0.13 Pitho sp.
1.24 0.13 Portunus spinimanus 1.29 0.13 Echinoderms Mellitidae 1.24 0.13 Ophiuroidea 1.29 0.13 Taxon SL1 SL2 SL3 Total Table 5. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish and Invertebrates Captured per Kilometer by Trawl at Each Station, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 4 (July-August 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.)
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Taxon SL1 SL2 SL3 Total Fish Umbrina coroides**
18.74 1.22 2.14 Monacanthus ciliatus 2.48 0.27 Anchoa sp.**
1.06 0.13 Molluscs Opisthobranchia 1.06 21.96 1.26 2.54 Loliginidae 1.24 0.13 Total 19.99 5.32 42.63 81.79 1.26 1.53 13.38 1.75 0.00 18.03
- Commercially and Recreationally Important Crustaceans
- Representative Important Species (RIS)
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Echinoderms Arbacia punctulata 1
1 Astropecten sp.
1 1
Fish Sphyrna tiburo 29 29 Caranx crysos 2
2 1
6 1
12 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae 1
1 1
3 4
10 Portunus spinimanus 1
1 2
Prionotus tribulus 2
2 Carcharhinus acronotus 1
1 Centropristis striata 1
1 Citharichthys macrops 1
1 Lutjanus griseus 1
1 Rhinobatos lentiginosus 1
1 Synodus foetens 1
1 Grand Total 35 2
2 1
4 2
6 6
5 63
- No Representative Important Species (RIS) captured in gill net sampling.
Table 6. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Echinoderms and Fish Captured by Gill Net at Each Station, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 4 (July-August 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
Taxon*
SL1 SL2 SL3 Total
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Echinoderms Arbacia punctulata 1.43 0.17 Astropecten sp.
1.46 0.17 Fish Sphyrna tiburo 39.55 4.92 Caranx crysos 2.73 3.00 1.50 10.29 1.71 2.03 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae 1.36 1.50 1.50 4.86 6.86 1.69 Portunus spinimanus 1.50 1.62 0.34 Prionotus tribulus 3.24 0.34 Carcharhinus acronotus 1.43 0.17 Centropristis striata 1.36 0.17 Citharichthys macrops 1.50 0.17 Lutjanus griseus 1.36 0.17 Rhinobatos lentiginosus 1.36 0.17 Synodus foetens 1.50 0.17 Grand Total 47.73 2.86 3.00 1.46 6.00 3.00 10.29 9.73 8.57 10.68
- No Representative Important Species (RIS) captured in gill net sampling.
Taxon*
SL1 SL2 SL3 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 4 (July-August 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.)
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Crustaceans Emerita talpoida*
4 4
Arenaeus cribrarius*
1 1
2 Libinia dubia 1
1 Fish Harengula jaguana**
3 9
3 123 204 859 1201 Anchoa lyolepis**
187 92 291 570 Umbrina coroides**
1 155 211 3
4 2
9 385 Menticirrhus littoralis**
25 38 17 3
3 2
88 Selar crumenophthalmus 4
4 44 52 Trachinotus falcatus 9
2 1
1 13 Eucinostomus gula 11 11 Chloroscombrus chrysurus 4
3 2
9 Selene vomer 5
4 9
Trachinotus carolinus**
2 4
3 9
Caranx latus 1
1 6
8 Centropomus undecimalis 1
1 2
4 Menticirrhus americanus**
4 4
Sardinella aurita**
4 4
Carangoides bartholomaei 1
2 3
Elops saurus 1
2 3
Polydactylus oligodon 2
1 3
Taxa SL1 SL2 SL3 Total Table 8. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish and Invertebrates Captured by Beach Seine at Each Station, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 4 (July-August 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Taxa SL1 SL2 SL3 Total Pseudocaranx dentex 3
3 Alosa sp.**
1 1
Caranx hippos 1
1 Opisthonema oglinum**
1 1
Polydactylus virginicus 1
1 Selene setapinnis 1
1 Sphyrna tiburo 1
1 Total 50 22 206 244 9
14 316 315 1216 2392
- Commercially and Recreationally Important Crustaceans
- Representative Important Species (RIS)
TL (mm)
Wt (g) n N
TL (mm)
Wt (g) n N
TL (mm)
Wt (g) n N
Harengula jaguana 85.8 8.1 105 1201 Anchoa lyolepis 69.9 2.2 90 570 Umbrina coroides 71.3 4.8 79 385 51.8 1.8 16 16 Menticirrhus littoralis 93.6 9.6 80 88 Trachinotus carolinus 113.4 30.0 9
9 Menticirrhus americanus 63.7 2.6 4
4 Sardinella aurita 122.2 15.0 4
4 Alosa sp.
85.5 0.5 1
1 Anchoa sp.
20.2 0.1 1
1 Opisthonema oglinum 78.3 4.7 1
1 Gill Net Beach Seine Trawl Taxa 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 4 (July-August 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study. For each species the number weighed/measured (n) and the total number collected (N) are given.
A C
A C
A C
Cephalopods Loliginidae Juvenile 0.016 0.038 0.008 Crustaceans Albunea sp.
Zoea 0.339 0.162 0.148 0.773 0.032 0.692 0.365 Emerita talpoida Zoea 0.661 0.632 0.037 0.013 0.016 0.229 Menippe mercenaria Zoea 0.321 0.148 0.120 0.481 0.163 Penaeidae Post Larvae 0.411 0.015 0.074 0.097 0.093 Callinectes sp.
Zoea 0.036 0.037 0.040 0.038 0.025 Menippe mercenaria Megalops 0.018 0.027 0.008 Callinectes sp.
Megalops 0.018 0.019 0.005 Lepidopa websteri Zoea 0.016 0.003 Penaeidae Protozoea 0.013 0.003 Scyllaridae Phyllosoma 0.018 0.003 Fish Eggs Unidentified fish eggs Egg 3.446 52.338 9.500 78.667 4.984 15.596 30.749 Clupeidae eggs Egg 1.015 90.187 0.115 18.635 Fish Clupeidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.071 0.265 0.389 0.573 0.210 0.192 0.297 Gobiidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.185 0.040 0.113 0.054 Engraulidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.242 0.041 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 4 (July-August 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
A C
A C
A C
Taxa LifeStage SL1 SL2 SL3 Total Sciaenidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.036 0.044 0.130 0.032 0.038 Carangidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.125 0.029 0.056 0.013 0.035 Gobiosoma robustum Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.125 0.037 0.016 0.027 Unidentified fish - damaged Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.018 0.037 0.013 0.065 0.022 Anchoa sp.
Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.125 0.019 Haemulidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.036 0.029 0.019 0.019 0.016 Blenniidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.018 0.032 0.019 0.011 Achirus lineatus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.037 0.005 Gonostomatidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.015 0.016 0.005 Aluterus schoepfii Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.019 0.003 Bairdiella chrysoura Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.019 0.003 Cynoscion nebulosus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.018 0.003 Dactyloscopidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.016 0.003 Diodon sp.
Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.016 0.003 Euthynnus alletteratus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.013 0.003 Gempylidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.019 0.003 Hippocampus erectus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.015 0.003 Lupinoblennius nicholsi Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.016 0.003 Lutjanidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.019 0.003 Microgobius thalassinus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.015 0.003 Monacanthus ciliatus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.019 0.003 Mugil cephalus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.015 0.003 Myctophidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.019 0.003
A C
A C
A C
Taxa LifeStage SL1 SL2 SL3 Total Ogcocephalus sp.
Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.019 0.003 Pareques acuminatus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.019 0.003 Pomacentridae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.018 0.003 Serranidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.016 0.003 Syngnathidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.016 0.003 5.857 54.588 11.000 170.493 5.968 17.192 50.913 Total
Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass 1 Pass 2 Chelonia mydas 1
1 1
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 4 (July-August 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
Florida Power & Light Company Biological Plan of Study Implementation for St. Lucie Plant EPU Post-Uprate Event 4 Data Report Report to Florida Power & Light Company October 2013 Submitted by Ecological Associates, Inc.
Post Office Box 405 Jensen Beach, Florida
ECOLOGICAL ASSOCIATES, INC., JENSEN BEACH, FLORIDA INTRODUCTION During July and August 2013, Ecological Associates, Inc. (EAI) conducted the fourth post-uprate field sampling event in accordance with the St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Plan of Study.
Sampling was conducted on six days between July 24 and August 15. 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 fourth 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 4 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.
Sampling Date Sea Conditions Air Temp Wind Speed and Direction Sky Conditions Trawls/
Ichthyoplankton 7/24/2013 1-2 ft swell 27.5-28.4°C 1-5 mph, SSE to W Mostly Cloudy Trawls/
Ichthyoplankton 7/25/2013 Calm to 1 ft swell 27.2-30.8°C 2-8 mph, SW to W Partly to Mostly Cloudy Gill Nets 8/13/2013 2 ft swell 31.2-34.8°C 3-10 mph, SE Clear to Partly Cloudy Gill Nets 8/14/2013 1-2 ft swell 30.6-31.7°C 3-5 mph, SE Clear Beach Seines 7/30/2013 1-2 ft swell 29.9-33.3°C 1-7 mph, SSE-NNE Clear to Overcast Sea Turtle Transects 8/15/2013 1 ft swell 27.6-32.3°C 2-4 mph, SE Mostly Cloudy to Overcast Table 1. Environmental Data, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 4 (July-August 2013), St. Luice Plant EPU Biological Study. Values reflect the range of values recorded throughout each day of sampling.
Transect Station Depth Specific Conducti vity (mS/cm)
Water Temp
(°C)
Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)
Surface 54.6 25.2 36.1 8.0 5.6 Mid-Depth 54.6 25.1 36.1 8.0 5.6 Bottom 54.7 24.9 36.2 8.0 5.5 Surface 54.7 25.3 36.2 8.0 5.6 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.1 36.2 8.1 5.6 Bottom 54.7 24.8 36.2 8.1 5.4 Surface 54.7 25.5 36.2 8.1 5.6 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.1 36.2 8.1 5.4 Bottom 54.7 24.9 36.2 8.0 4.9 Surface 54.7 25.8 36.2 8.1 5.8 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.6 36.2 8.1 5.9 Bottom 54.7 25.5 36.2 8.1 5.8 Surface 54.7 25.7 36.2 8.1 5.9 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.6 36.2 8.1 5.9 Bottom 54.7 25.5 36.2 8.1 5.9 Surface 54.7 25.7 36.2 8.0 6.0 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.6 36.2 8.1 5.9 Bottom 54.7 25.5 36.2 8.1 5.8 Surface 54.6 25.8 36.2 8.1 6.0 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.7 36.2 8.1 5.9 Bottom 54.7 25.5 36.2 8.1 6.0 Surface 54.7 25.8 36.2 8.1 5.9 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.6 36.2 8.1 5.9 Bottom 54.7 25.4 36.2 8.1 5.9 Surface 54.7 25.9 36.3 8.1 5.8 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.7 36.2 8.1 5.9 Bottom 54.7 25.5 36.2 8.1 5.9 Surface 54.7 25.3 36.2 8.1 5.3 Mid-Depth 54.8 25.3 36.2 8.1 5.3 Bottom 54.8 25.1 36.3 8.1 5.3 Surface 54.7 25.2 36.2 8.1 5.2 Mid-Depth 54.8 25.1 36.3 8.1 5.4 Bottom 54.8 25.0 36.3 8.1 5.4 Surface 54.7 25.1 36.3 8.0 5.7 Mid-Depth 54.8 24.9 36.3 8.1 5.4 Bottom 54.8 24.9 36.3 8.1 5.4 Trawl SL1 C North Middle South Trawl SL2 A North Middle South Table 2. Water Quality Data, Post Uprate Sampling Event 4 (July-August 2013), St.
Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
Trawl SL1 A North Middle South Trawl SL1 B North Middle South
Transect Station Depth Specific Conducti vity (mS/cm)
Water Temp
(°C)
Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)
Surface 54.4 27.0 36.1 8.1 6.0 Mid-Depth 54.8 24.4 36.3 8.1 5.7 Bottom 54.8 24.3 36.2 8.1 5.7 Surface 54.3 27.2 36.0 8.1 5.9 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.3 36.2 8.1 5.8 Bottom 54.8 24.2 36.2 8.1 5.7 Surface 54.2 27.4 36.0 8.0 6.1 Mid-Depth 54.8 25.3 36.2 8.1 5.8 Bottom 54.8 24.2 36.2 8.1 5.7 Surface 54.0 27.7 35.9 8.1 6.0 Mid-Depth 54.7 26.0 36.2 8.1 6.0 Bottom 54.8 24.8 36.3 8.1 6.0 Surface 54.0 27.8 35.8 8.1 6.1 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.7 36.3 8.1 6.2 Bottom 54.8 24.4 36.2 8.1 5.8 Surface 53.9 27.9 35.8 8.0 6.1 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.7 36.3 8.1 6.2 Bottom 54.8 24.3 36.2 8.1 5.8 Surface 54.7 25.8 36.2 8.1 5.7 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.7 36.2 8.1 5.4 Bottom 54.8 25.6 36.3 8.1 5.4 Surface 54.7 25.7 36.2 8.1 5.6 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.7 36.2 8.1 5.5 Bottom 54.7 25.7 36.2 8.1 5.5 Surface 54.7 25.8 36.3 8.1 5.8 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.8 36.3 8.1 5.6 Bottom 54.7 25.8 36.2 8.1 5.6 Surface 54.5 26.7 36.1 8.1 6.2 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.2 36.1 8.1 5.8 Bottom 54.7 24.3 36.2 8.1 5.6 Surface 54.6 26.6 36.1 8.1 6.2 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.2 36.2 8.1 5.8 Bottom 54.7 24.3 36.2 8.1 5.6 Surface 54.6 26.5 36.2 8.1 6.3 Mid-Depth 54.6 25.2 36.2 8.1 5.8 Bottom 54.7 24.2 36.2 8.1 5.7 Trawl SL3 A North Middle South Trawl SL3 B North Middle South Trawl SL2 B North Middle South Trawl SL2 C North Middle South
Transect Station Depth Specific Conducti vity (mS/cm)
Water Temp
(°C)
Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)
Surface 54.3 25.2 36.0 8.1 6.3 Mid-Depth 54.6 25.0 36.1 8.1 6.0 Bottom 54.7 24.4 36.1 8.1 5.7 Surface 54.4 27.1 36.1 8.1 6.4 Mid-Depth 54.7 25.1 36.1 8.1 5.9 Bottom 54.8 24.0 36.2 8.1 5.8 Surface 54.5 27.1 36.0 8.1 6.3 Mid-Depth 54.6 25.9 36.1 8.1 6.0 Bottom 54.7 23.9 36.1 8.1 5.7 Surface 55.5 24.8 36.8 7.9 5.1 Mid-Depth 55.5 24.6 36.8 8.0 5.2 Bottom 55.5 24.4 36.8 8.0 5.1 Surface 55.6 24.8 36.8 8.0 5.1 Mid-Depth 55.5 24.6 36.8 8.0 5.2 Bottom 55.5 24.5 36.8 8.0 5.4 Surface 55.5 24.9 36.8 8.0 5.1 Mid-Depth 55.5 24.7 36.8 8.0 5.1 Bottom 55.5 24.6 36.8 8.0 5.1 Surface 55.4 25.0 36.7 8.0 5.8 Mid-Depth 55.5 24.6 36.8 8.0 5.8 Bottom 55.5 24.0 36.7 8.0 5.8 Surface 55.5 25.0 36.8 8.0 5.7 Mid-Depth 55.5 24.6 36.8 8.0 5.7 Bottom 55.5 24.0 36.7 8.0 5.7 Surface 55.5 25.0 36.8 8.0 5.5 Mid-Depth 55.5 24.6 36.8 8.0 5.7 Bottom 55.5 24.0 36.8 8.0 5.7 Surface 55.4 25.3 36.7 8.0 6.2 Mid-Depth 55.5 24.4 36.7 8.0 5.8 Bottom 55.5 23.9 36.7 8.0 5.9 Surface 55.5 25.2 36.8 8.0 6.1 Mid-Depth 55.5 24.5 36.8 8.0 5.8 Bottom 55.5 23.9 36.7 8.0 5.9 Surface 55.5 25.2 36.8 8.0 6.3 Mid-Depth 55.4 24.7 36.8 8.0 5.9 Bottom 55.5 24.0 36.7 8.0 5.9 Gill Net SL1 B East Middle West Gill Net SL1 C East Middle West Trawl SL3 C North Middle South Gill Net SL1 A East Middle West
Transect Station Depth Specific Conducti vity (mS/cm)
Water Temp
(°C)
Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)
Surface 54.2 28.3 35.9 7.9 5.8 Mid-Depth 54.7 26.9 36.3 7.9 5.6 Bottom 55.1 25.4 36.5 7.9 5.6 Surface 54.2 28.3 36.0 7.9 5.6 Mid-Depth 54.6 27.2 36.2 7.9 5.5 Bottom 55.2 25.7 36.5 8.0 5.6 Surface 54.2 28.1 36.0 8.0 5.7 Mid-Depth 54.7 27.2 36.3 8.0 5.3 Bottom 55.0 25.9 36.5 7.9 4.9 Surface 54.0 28.2 35.9 8.0 5.7 Mid-Depth 55.0 26.4 36.4 8.0 5.4 Bottom 55.3 24.5 36.6 7.9 4.9 Surface 54.1 28.2 36.0 8.0 5.7 Mid-Depth 55.0 26.3 36.5 8.0 5.3 Bottom 55.3 24.5 36.6 8.0 5.0 Surface 54.1 28.2 35.9 8.0 5.7 Mid-Depth 55.0 26.3 36.4 8.0 5.3 Bottom 55.3 24.5 36.6 8.0 5.0 Surface 54.0 28.6 35.9 8.0 5.7 Mid-Depth 54.9 26.0 36.5 8.0 5.8 Bottom 55.2 25.1 36.6 8.0 5.6 Surface 54.0 28.6 35.9 8.0 5.7 Mid-Depth 55.0 25.7 36.5 8.0 5.7 Bottom 55.3 24.6 36.6 8.0 5.0 Surface 54.1 28.7 36.0 8.0 5.7 Mid-Depth 55.1 25.7 36.5 8.0 5.6 Bottom 55.3 24.7 36.6 8.0 5.2 Surface 54.7 28.5 36.5 8.1 6.0 Mid-Depth 55.2 26.1 36.6 8.1 5.8 Bottom 55.3 25.0 36.7 8.1 6.0 Surface 54.8 28.6 36.5 8.1 5.9 Mid-Depth 55.2 26.4 36.7 8.1 5.8 Bottom 55.3 25.3 36.5 8.1 5.8 Surface 54.9 28.5 36.5 8.1 5.9 Mid-Depth 55.2 26.3 36.7 8.1 5.8 Bottom 55.2 26.0 36.6 8.1 5.8 Gill Net SL2 C East Middle West Gill Net SL3 A East Middle West Gill Net SL2 A East Middle West Gill Net SL2 B East Middle West
Transect Station Depth Specific Conducti vity (mS/cm)
Water Temp
(°C)
Salinity (PSU) pH DO (mg/l)
Surface 54.5 29.0 36.4 8.0 6.0 Mid-Depth 55.2 25.4 36.6 8.1 6.0 Bottom 55.4 24.2 36.7 8.1 5.8 Surface 54.6 29.0 36.3 8.1 6.0 Mid-Depth 55.3 25.5 36.7 8.1 6.0 Bottom 55.4 24.2 36.7 8.1 5.8 Surface 54.7 28.9 36.4 8.1 5.9 Mid-Depth 55.2 25.5 36.7 8.1 5.9 Bottom 55.4 24.3 36.7 8.1 5.9 Surface 54.7 28.0 36.4 8.0 6.0 Mid-Depth 55.3 24.4 36.6 8.1 6.5 Bottom 55.5 23.3 36.7 8.1 6.5 Surface 54.7 28.7 36.4 8.0 5.8 Mid-Depth 55.2 25.4 36.6 8.1 6.4 Bottom 55.5 23.4 36.6 8.1 6.4 Surface 54.7 28.5 36.3 8.0 5.8 Mid-Depth 55.1 25.8 36.6 8.1 6.3 Bottom 55.5 23.4 36.7 8.1 6.3 Gill Net SL3 B East Middle West Gill Net SL3 C East Middle West
Scientific Name Common Name Crustaceans Albunea sp.
mole crabs Arenaeus cribrarius*
speckled swimming crab Calappa flammea flame box crab Callinectes sapidus*
blue crab Callinectes sp.
swimming crabs Emerita talpoida*
Atlantic sand crab Farfantepenaeus duorarum*
pink shrimp Lepidopa websteri Webster's mole crab Libinia dubia longnose spider crab Majidae spider crab Menippe mercenaria*
Florida stone crab Ovalipes sp.
lady crab Paguridae right-handed hermit crabs Paguroidea hermit crab Palaemonidae palaemonid shrimps Penaeidae penaeid shrimp Petrochirus diogenes giant hermit crab Pitho sp.
urn crabs Podochela sp.
spider crab Portunus gibbesii iridescent swimming crab Portunus sp.
portunid crab Portunus spinimanus blotched swimming crab Rimapenaeus constrictus*
roughneck shrimp Rimapenaeus sp.*
roughneck shrimp Scyllaridae slipper lobsters Echinoderms Astropecten sp.
sea star Lytechinus variegatus green sea urchin Mellitidae sand dollars Ophiuroidea brittle stars 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 4 (July-August 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
Scientific Name Common Name Fish and Eggs Achirus lineatus lined sole Alosa sp.**
herring Aluterus schoepfii orange filefish Anchoa lyolepis**
dusky anchovy Anchoa sp.**
common anchovy Bairdiella chrysoura silver perch Blenniidae combtooth blennies Carangidae jacks Carangoides bartholomaei yellow jack Caranx crysos blue runner Caranx hippos crevalle jack Caranx latus horse-eye jack Carcharhinus acronotus blacknose shark Centropomus undecimalis common Snook Centropristis striata black sea bass Chloroscombrus chrysurus Atlantic bumper Citharichthys macrops spotted whiff Clupeidae**
herrings and sardines Cynoscion nebulosus spotted sea trout Dactyloscopidae sand stargazers Diodon sp.
porcupinefishes Elops saurus ladyfish Engraulidae**
anchovies Eucinostomus gula silver jenny Euthynnus alletteratus little tunny Gempylidae snake mackerels Gobiidae gobies Gobiosoma robustum code goby Gonostomatidae lightfishes Haemulidae grunts Harengula jaguana**
scaled sardine Hippocampus erectus spotted seahorse Lupinoblennius nicholsi highfin blenny
Scientific Name Common Name Lutjanidae snappers Lutjanus griseus gray snapper Menticirrhus americanus**
southern kingfish Menticirrhus littoralis**
Gulf kingfish Microgobius thalassinus green goby Monacanthus ciliatus fringed filefish Mugil cephalus striped mullet Myctophidae lanternfishes Ogcocephalus sp.
batfish Opisthonema oglinum**
Atlantic thread herring Pareques acuminatus high-hat Polydactylus oligodon littlescale threadfin Polydactylus virginicus barbu Pomacentridae damselfishes Prionotus tribulus bighead searobin Pseudocaranx dentex white trevally Rhinobatos lentiginosus Atlantic guitarfish Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Atlantic sharpnose shark Sardinella aurita**
Spanish sardine Sciaenidae drums and croakers Selar crumenophthalmus bigeyed scads Selene setapinnis Atlantic moonfish Selene vomer lookdown Serranidae sea basses and groupers Sphyrna tiburo bonnethead shark Syngnathidae pipefish and seahorses Synodus foetens inshore lizardfish Trachinotus carolinus**
Florida pompano Trachinotus falcatus permit Umbrina coroides sand drum Unidentified eggs unidentified eggs Molluscs Loliginidae squid Opisthobranchia opisthobranchs
Scientific Name Common Name 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 Paguroidea 1
3 22 26 Rimapenaeus sp.*
21 1
22 Portunus sp.
3 5
8 Rimapenaeus constrictus*
1 7
8 Podochela sp.
3 4
7 Portunus gibbesii 1
5 1
7 Libinia dubia 3
3 Callinectes sapidus*
2 2
Farfantepenaeus duorarum
- 2 2
Penaeidae 2
2 Calappa flammea 1
1 Majidae 1
1 Ovalipes sp.
1 1
Palaemonidae 1
1 Petrochirus diogenes 1
1 Pitho sp.
1 1
Portunus spinimanus 1
1 Echinoderms Mellitidae 1
1 Ophiuroidea 1
1 Taxon SL1 SL2 SL3 Total 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 4 (July-August 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Taxon SL1 SL2 SL3 Total Fish Umbrina coroides**
15 1
16 Monacanthus ciliatus 2
2 Anchoa sp.**
1 1
Molluscs Opisthobranchia 1
17 1
19 Loliginidae 1
1 Total 16 5
33 66 1
1 11 2
0 135
- Commercially and Recreationally Important Crustaceans
- Representative Important Species (RIS)
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Crustaceans Paguroidea 1.25 3.88 27.26 3.47 Rimapenaeus sp.*
26.03 0.88 2.94 Portunus sp.
3.88 6.20 1.07 Rimapenaeus constrictus*
1.06 8.51 1.07 Podochela sp.
3.88 4.96 0.93 Portunus gibbesii 1.06 6.46 1.53 0.93 Libinia dubia 3.72 0.40 Callinectes sapidus*
2.48 0.27 Farfantepenaeus duorarum
- 2.43 0.27 Penaeidae 2.48 0.27 Calappa flammea 0.88 0.13 Majidae 1.24 0.13 Ovalipes sp.
1.06 0.13 Palaemonidae 1.24 0.13 Petrochirus diogenes 1.22 0.13 Pitho sp.
1.24 0.13 Portunus spinimanus 1.29 0.13 Echinoderms Mellitidae 1.24 0.13 Ophiuroidea 1.29 0.13 Taxon SL1 SL2 SL3 Total Table 5. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish and Invertebrates Captured per Kilometer by Trawl at Each Station, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 4 (July-August 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.)
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Taxon SL1 SL2 SL3 Total Fish Umbrina coroides**
18.74 1.22 2.14 Monacanthus ciliatus 2.48 0.27 Anchoa sp.**
1.06 0.13 Molluscs Opisthobranchia 1.06 21.96 1.26 2.54 Loliginidae 1.24 0.13 Total 19.99 5.32 42.63 81.79 1.26 1.53 13.38 1.75 0.00 18.03
- Commercially and Recreationally Important Crustaceans
- Representative Important Species (RIS)
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Echinoderms Arbacia punctulata 1
1 Astropecten sp.
1 1
Fish Sphyrna tiburo 29 29 Caranx crysos 2
2 1
6 1
12 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae 1
1 1
3 4
10 Portunus spinimanus 1
1 2
Prionotus tribulus 2
2 Carcharhinus acronotus 1
1 Centropristis striata 1
1 Citharichthys macrops 1
1 Lutjanus griseus 1
1 Rhinobatos lentiginosus 1
1 Synodus foetens 1
1 Grand Total 35 2
2 1
4 2
6 6
5 63
- No Representative Important Species (RIS) captured in gill net sampling.
Table 6. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Echinoderms and Fish Captured by Gill Net at Each Station, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 4 (July-August 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
Taxon*
SL1 SL2 SL3 Total
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Echinoderms Arbacia punctulata 1.43 0.17 Astropecten sp.
1.46 0.17 Fish Sphyrna tiburo 39.55 4.92 Caranx crysos 2.73 3.00 1.50 10.29 1.71 2.03 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae 1.36 1.50 1.50 4.86 6.86 1.69 Portunus spinimanus 1.50 1.62 0.34 Prionotus tribulus 3.24 0.34 Carcharhinus acronotus 1.43 0.17 Centropristis striata 1.36 0.17 Citharichthys macrops 1.50 0.17 Lutjanus griseus 1.36 0.17 Rhinobatos lentiginosus 1.36 0.17 Synodus foetens 1.50 0.17 Grand Total 47.73 2.86 3.00 1.46 6.00 3.00 10.29 9.73 8.57 10.68
- No Representative Important Species (RIS) captured in gill net sampling.
Taxon*
SL1 SL2 SL3 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 4 (July-August 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.)
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Crustaceans Emerita talpoida*
4 4
Arenaeus cribrarius*
1 1
2 Libinia dubia 1
1 Fish Harengula jaguana**
3 9
3 123 204 859 1201 Anchoa lyolepis**
187 92 291 570 Umbrina coroides**
1 155 211 3
4 2
9 385 Menticirrhus littoralis**
25 38 17 3
3 2
88 Selar crumenophthalmus 4
4 44 52 Trachinotus falcatus 9
2 1
1 13 Eucinostomus gula 11 11 Chloroscombrus chrysurus 4
3 2
9 Selene vomer 5
4 9
Trachinotus carolinus**
2 4
3 9
Caranx latus 1
1 6
8 Centropomus undecimalis 1
1 2
4 Menticirrhus americanus**
4 4
Sardinella aurita**
4 4
Carangoides bartholomaei 1
2 3
Elops saurus 1
2 3
Polydactylus oligodon 2
1 3
Taxa SL1 SL2 SL3 Total Table 8. Number of Individuals of Each Taxon of Fish and Invertebrates Captured by Beach Seine at Each Station, Post-Uprate Sampling Event 4 (July-August 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.
A B
C A
B C
A B
C Taxa SL1 SL2 SL3 Total Pseudocaranx dentex 3
3 Alosa sp.**
1 1
Caranx hippos 1
1 Opisthonema oglinum**
1 1
Polydactylus virginicus 1
1 Selene setapinnis 1
1 Sphyrna tiburo 1
1 Total 50 22 206 244 9
14 316 315 1216 2392
- Commercially and Recreationally Important Crustaceans
- Representative Important Species (RIS)
TL (mm)
Wt (g) n N
TL (mm)
Wt (g) n N
TL (mm)
Wt (g) n N
Harengula jaguana 85.8 8.1 105 1201 Anchoa lyolepis 69.9 2.2 90 570 Umbrina coroides 71.3 4.8 79 385 51.8 1.8 16 16 Menticirrhus littoralis 93.6 9.6 80 88 Trachinotus carolinus 113.4 30.0 9
9 Menticirrhus americanus 63.7 2.6 4
4 Sardinella aurita 122.2 15.0 4
4 Alosa sp.
85.5 0.5 1
1 Anchoa sp.
20.2 0.1 1
1 Opisthonema oglinum 78.3 4.7 1
1 Gill Net Beach Seine Trawl Taxa 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 4 (July-August 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study. For each species the number weighed/measured (n) and the total number collected (N) are given.
A C
A C
A C
Cephalopods Loliginidae Juvenile 0.016 0.038 0.008 Crustaceans Albunea sp.
Zoea 0.339 0.162 0.148 0.773 0.032 0.692 0.365 Emerita talpoida Zoea 0.661 0.632 0.037 0.013 0.016 0.229 Menippe mercenaria Zoea 0.321 0.148 0.120 0.481 0.163 Penaeidae Post Larvae 0.411 0.015 0.074 0.097 0.093 Callinectes sp.
Zoea 0.036 0.037 0.040 0.038 0.025 Menippe mercenaria Megalops 0.018 0.027 0.008 Callinectes sp.
Megalops 0.018 0.019 0.005 Lepidopa websteri Zoea 0.016 0.003 Penaeidae Protozoea 0.013 0.003 Scyllaridae Phyllosoma 0.018 0.003 Fish Eggs Unidentified fish eggs Egg 3.446 52.338 9.500 78.667 4.984 15.596 30.749 Clupeidae eggs Egg 1.015 90.187 0.115 18.635 Fish Clupeidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.071 0.265 0.389 0.573 0.210 0.192 0.297 Gobiidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.185 0.040 0.113 0.054 Engraulidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.242 0.041 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 4 (July-August 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
A C
A C
A C
Taxa LifeStage SL1 SL2 SL3 Total Sciaenidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.036 0.044 0.130 0.032 0.038 Carangidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.125 0.029 0.056 0.013 0.035 Gobiosoma robustum Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.125 0.037 0.016 0.027 Unidentified fish - damaged Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.018 0.037 0.013 0.065 0.022 Anchoa sp.
Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.125 0.019 Haemulidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.036 0.029 0.019 0.019 0.016 Blenniidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.018 0.032 0.019 0.011 Achirus lineatus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.037 0.005 Gonostomatidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.015 0.016 0.005 Aluterus schoepfii Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.019 0.003 Bairdiella chrysoura Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.019 0.003 Cynoscion nebulosus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.018 0.003 Dactyloscopidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.016 0.003 Diodon sp.
Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.016 0.003 Euthynnus alletteratus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.013 0.003 Gempylidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.019 0.003 Hippocampus erectus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.015 0.003 Lupinoblennius nicholsi Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.016 0.003 Lutjanidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.019 0.003 Microgobius thalassinus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.015 0.003 Monacanthus ciliatus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.019 0.003 Mugil cephalus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.015 0.003 Myctophidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.019 0.003
A C
A C
A C
Taxa LifeStage SL1 SL2 SL3 Total Ogcocephalus sp.
Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.019 0.003 Pareques acuminatus Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.019 0.003 Pomacentridae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.018 0.003 Serranidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.016 0.003 Syngnathidae Post Yolk-Sac Larvae 0.016 0.003 5.857 54.588 11.000 170.493 5.968 17.192 50.913 Total
Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass 1 Pass 2 Chelonia mydas 1
1 1
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 4 (July-August 2013), St. Lucie Plant EPU Biological Study.