Performance Report for Cooperative Agreement No: na06oar4810163 for the Period from September 1, 2006 to August 31, 2012 University of Maryland Eastern Shore
SECTION IV – REVISIONS TO TASKS AS DESCRIBED IN GRANT AWARD AMENDMENTS AND THE IMPACT TO THE AWARD: There were no amendments to the award
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SECTION IV – REVISIONS TO TASKS AS DESCRIBED IN GRANT AWARD AMENDMENTS AND THE IMPACT TO THE AWARD: There were no amendments to the award.Appendices Appendix I: Appendix Ia: Courses Offered in Fall Semester 2006 Using Interactive Video Network (IVN).
Appendix Ib: Courses Offered in Spring Semester 2007 Using Interactive Video Network (IVN).
Appendix Ic: Courses Offered in Fall Semester 2007 Using Interactive Video Network (IVN).
Appendix Id: Courses Offered in Spring Semester 2008 Using Interactive Video Network (IVN).
Appendix Ie: Courses Offered in Fall Semester 2008 Using Interactive Video Network (IVN).
Appendix If: Courses developed and taught by LMRCSC faculty and NOAA Collaborators via the LMRCSC Virtual Campus in Spring 2009.
Appendix Ig: MEES Courses Offered in Spring Semester 2009 Using Interactive Video Network (IVN).
Appendix Ih: MEES Courses Offered in Fall Semester 2009 Using Interactive Video Network (IVN).
Appendix Ii: Course taught by LMRCSC faculty and NOAA Collaborators via the LMRCSC Virtual Campus in Spring 2010.
Appendix Ij: MEES Courses Offered in Spring Semester 2010 Using Interactive Video Network (IVN).
Appendix Ik: MEES Courses Offered in Fall Semester 2010 Using Interactive Video Network (IVN).
Appendix Il: MEES Courses Offered in Spring Semester 2011 Using Interactive Video Network (IVN).
Appendix Im: MEES Courses Offered in Fall Semester 2011 Using Interactive Video Network (IVN).
Appendix In: Courses Offered Online during Fall Semester 2011
Appendix II: Appendix IIa: Brief Descriptions of TAB Approved Projects (2006/2007) TAB Approved Projects 2006/2007 Status The 11 TAB approved projects for year 1 of the new Center grant are described below. 1) Project Title: Effect of isopod parasite Probopyrus pandalicola on the grass shrimp Palaeomonetes pugio: Impacts on population density, gravidity, and tolerance to contaminants Project Description: Palaemonetes pugio is a food source for numerous commercially important species. Habitat quality is in part based on food availability and can be determined indirectly by assessing fish growth (Curran and Able 2002; DuBeck and Curran, in review). As grass shrimp are an abundant macrofaunal species, their density can play an important role in determining habitat quality and therefore whether areas could be essential fish habitats. The main objective of this work is to determine the effect that the isopod parasite Probopyrus pandalicola has on grass shrimp density (since they prevent reproduction) and construct a population model to quantify this impact. Results will be disseminated to local schools through the funded participants, including a teacher-intern who will design a K-12 activity. Thematic Area Addressed: Essential Fish Habitat Lead Scientist(s): Dr. Mary Carla Curran (SSU) NOAA Collaborator(s): Dr. Paul Pennington (NOAA) LMRCSC Collaborator(s): Dr. Dionne Hoskins (NOAA Fisheries/SSU) LMRCSC Research Student(s): Michael Partridge (M.S. student, SSU), Chris Williamson (undergraduate student, SSU), Amber Stanley (undergraduate student, SSU), Jennifer Kinney (undergraduate student, SSU), and Terry Aultman (teacher-intern) External Collaborator(s): none Planned Start Date: Fall 2005 Planned End Date: Sept 2007 Actual Start Date: Oct. 1, 2005 Actual End Date: Sept. 30, 2007 Planned and actual results of project: One of the objectives was to determine the effect that the bopyrid isopod has on grass shrimp density and construct a population model to quantify this impact. In addition, in year 1, studies were conducted to determine whether multistressors (e.g., parasite infection and contamination load) had an additive effect on shrimp mortality in the laboratory. Due to student interest, year 1 efforts focused on the laboratory studies. Michael Partridge (SSU Graduate Student) conducted thesis research on the effect of the parasite on swimming endurance in the grass shrimp. No effect of the parasite on shrimp endurance has been demonstrated, although there seems to be a direct relationship between endurance and shrimp size. It was found that the toxicity of resmethrin/Scourge was not higher for parasitized vs. unparasitized grass shrimp as determined using an LC50 test. This work was extended to conduct a toxicity test using another insecticide, bifenthrin. The results for the LC50 ratio test were that the effect of bifenthrin on parasitized when compared to non-parasitized P. pugio was significantly different at 24 hours (P = 0.0065). For the field assessment/shrimp population model it was observed that shrimp densities did not exceed 40.8 shrimp/m3 at Country Club Creek, but values reached 145.6/ m3 at Moon River. The overall percent parasitism rate was low (<1%); however, 56% of the females were gravid. How will results be incorporated into NOAA Fisheries operations? Results from this research are relevant to the management, conservation, and protection of living marine resources, all of which are part of the NOAA mission. The significance of grass shrimp as an important food resource for many commercial species has been demonstrated and this resource can be affected by insecticides. In some cases, sensitivity to pesticides is greater when the shrimp is parasitized by a bopyrid isopod. In addition, this isopod prevents the shrimp from reproducing, which in turn can affect shrimp populations and thereby impact habitat quality. How will results be incorporated into LMRCSC research and curriculum? Dr. Curran’s teacher intern incorporated her findings into K-12 curricula. Dr. Curran is incorporating her field experience into her classroom teachings, and both she and her students have spoken at local schools. This project was used for Mr. Partridge’s Master’s thesis. The project also provided an opportunity for Chris Williamson (SSU Undergraduate Student) to work with Paul Pennington (NOAA) in the summer of 2007. 2) Project Title: Evaluation of interactive effects of contaminants on full life cycle responses for assessing fish habitat quality in estuaries Project Description: Inshore habitats are used by a variety of marine and estuarine organisms as a source of prey, location for reproduction, and shelter during vulnerable life-stages. These habitats are also the principal location for the infusion of contaminants into the marine environment. Understanding the extent and nature of contamination along industrialized watersheds, as well as the complexity of potential toxic responses by impacted organisms, remains a significant challenge to researchers and resource managers. This study is to experimentally examine the toxic response in a fish resident to estuarine waters of the northeastern USA. The objectives were to: 1) examine the interactive and additive effects of a combination of ecologically relevant contaminants on an indicator fish species, 2) broaden the set of response variables collected previously by us to include characteristics of juveniles and of reproductive performance by adults, and 3) evaluate the relative merit of each response variable for its utility as a bioindicator. Thematic Area Addressed: Essential Fish Habitat Lead Scientist(s): Dr. Ali Ishaque (UMES), Dr. Yan Waguespack (UMES) and Dr. Chris Chambers (NOAA/NMFS) NOAA Collaborator(s): Dr. Chris Chambers (NOAA/NMFS) LMRCSC Collaborator(s): None LMRCSC Research Student(s): Jeremiah Hicks (Undergraduate, UMES) participated in an internship at the Sandy Hook lab in summer 2007. Planned (Actual) Start Date: 12/01/06 Planned End Date: 11/30/08 Planned and actual results of project: The goal of this research was to capture the multifaceted and sometimes subtle ways that toxicological effects can be manifested, and to inter-calibrate and compare these effects with respect to their relative merits as bio-indicators. The responses to be evaluated span the spectrum from molecular to organismal to population-level effects. The focus in Yr 1 was to develop protocols and identify relevant responses exhibited in the earliest life-stages (embryonic and early larval periods). These responses include viability, developmental rate, and various measures of fish condition upon hatching. These measures can be coarsely divided into lethal and sub-lethal responses; the latter can be further divided into biochemical, histological, developmental, morphological, condition, behavioral, and life history groupings with specificity to life stages. Larvae were grown to sub-adulthood. During the period of study in Year 1, the researchers also identified the best means of administering the contaminants and marking fish such that the treatment histories of individuals could be identified upon pooling groups into larger rearing tanks. During the period since Year 2 the study has: 1) Continued the extraction of data from images of young fish from Year-1 experimental rearing, and synthesized data on developmental rates, resistance of larvae to starvation, and survival, 2) Refined the experimental protocol which allows for repeated exposures of larvae to PCBs, 3) Implemented a more robust experimental design (Year 2) with more life stage-specific rearing options and greater experimental replication, 4) Exposed embryos from a reference (Shinnecock Bay, NY) and an impacted (Hudson River) population of Atlantic tomcod to a graded dose of two PAHs and an Aroclor mixture of PCBs. Larvae from these exposures are currently being reared and repeatedly exposed to Aroclor via their food source. 5) Synthesized and reduced data already in hand from Year 2, and 6) Prepared total RNA from tomcod ovaries for the purpose of obtaining cDNA sequences using degenerate primers. Once obtained, the sequence will be cloned and sequenced. How will results be incorporated into NOAA Fisheries operations? These studies will provide first-of-their-kind evaluations of the interactive effects of multiple toxins on early life stages of a common estuarine fish of the northeastern USA. Moreover, the quantification and comparisons of multiple lethal and sublethal responses should have general utility for identifying appropriate bioindicators in other ecotoxicological studies using fishes. The implementation of an experimental design that explicitly addresses the interactive effects of two classes of contaminants, and evaluates the biological responses throughout all pre-adult life stages is unique to this field. Beyond the specific information on the species, system, and contaminants being used in this study, the results will provide guidance to researchers working with other species in other ecosystems. How will results be incorporated into LMRCSC research and curriculum? The protocols that are being developed regarding aqueous and trophic exposures for fish, and the quantification of multiple ecologically relevant response variables, will have broad applicability to other ecotoxicological studies on aquatic and marine organisms. It is expected that the skills being developed by interns and students will not only enhance their education, but result in these individuals being well situated for placement in their working careers. 3) Project Title: The biology of large monkfish, Lophius americanus Project Description: The American monkfish or goosefish (Lophius americanus; Valenciennes) is a fast growing, benthic species belonging to the family Lophiidae (Steimle et al., 1999). It is found in the northwest Atlantic Ocean from the Grand Banks and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada to the east coast of Florida (DNR, 1999; NEFMC/MAFMC, 1998). Although the species ranges from Canada to Florida, it is most commonly found north of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina (Robbins et al., 1986) in shallow coastal waters to over 800 m (Stevens, 2004). Once considered ‘trash fish’ by the groundfish and scallop fisheries, monkfish has become an important commercial species. The US stocks have been overfished, and few large monkfish are now found in commercial landings or in Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) annual bottom trawl surveys (NEFSC 2005). Although life history information is available for smaller monkfish, very little is known about the biology of monkfish greater than 90cm. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to: 1) estimate growth and cannibalism rates of large monkfish; and 2) investigate reproductive biology of large monkfish. Thematic Area Addressed: Quantitative Fisheries Lead Scientist(s): Dr. Andrea Johnson (UMES) NOAA Collaborator(s): Dr. Anne Richards (NOAA, NEFSC, Woods Hole) LMRCSC Collaborator(s): none LMRCSC Research Student(s): Dan Cullen (Graduate student, UMES); Abram Townsend (Undergraduate, UMES), Belita Nguluwe (Undergraduate, UMES) Industry collaborators: John Stolgitis (Point Judith, RI), Chris Hickman (Chincoteague, VA and Cape Hatteras, NC) and Roger Wooleyhan (Ocean City, MD), Ernie Panacek (Barnegat Light, NJ), Chris Walker (Chincoteague, VA), Joe Kelly (Chincoteague, VA) and other gillnetters. Actual Start Date: January 4, 2007 Actual End Date: March 31, 2008 Planned and actual results of project: It was proposed to collect monkfish, 90 cm and larger from January to December, 2007 from commercial gillnetters to: 1) determine the full growth curve and provide critical information on growth, natural mortality, longevity, and potential yield; 2) determine spawning frequency of these large monkfish to determine population productivity and resilience; and 3) estimate the rates of cannibalism by large monkfish to improve population models and fishery management. Since January 2007, approximately 700 monkfish samples from fishing areas east of Gloucester, MA, to areas off Ocean City, MD and Chincoteague, VA have been collected. To date, approximately 400 monkfish have been aged using both vertebrae and illicia and 383 gonads have been processed for histology. Of the 700 fish that have been processed, approximately 5% cannibalism has been observed. Fish Collection and Processing: A total of 700 monkfish were collected by commercial gillnetters in waters off Cape Ann, Massachusetts to Chincoteague, Virginia between January 2006 and July 2007. These sampling sites encompass the two management areas for monkfish, the Northern Fishery Management Area (NFMA, northern flank of Georges Bank and the Gulf of Maine) and the Southern Fishery Management Area (SFMA, southern flank of Georges Bank and Mid-Atlantic Bight south to Cape Hatteras, NC). Fish were processed in the laboratory. Individuals were weighed (kg) and measured (total length (TL) to the nearest 0.5 cm, and samples collected for studies of growth, food habits and reproductive biology. Age and Growth: Vertebrae were processed following the procedures of Armstrong et al. (1992) and Hartley (1995). Vertebra number 8 was baked for 1-1.5 hr at 230oC to enhance the contrast in presumed annual rings before counts were made using a dissecting microscope at 60x. All vertebrae were read by 2 or 3 independent readers and agreement between two readers was required for acceptance of an age estimate. Vertebrae were classified as “unreadable” if all readings differed. Reproduction: All gonad samples (n = 383 females) were examined histologically by light microscopy and assigned maturity stages following the criteria of Martinez (1999). Female stages [perinucleolar, cortical alveoli, vitellogenic and final stage of oocyte maturation (FOM, hydrated)] were based on the maturity of the most advanced stage oocytes. Gonads and livers were weighed to calculate the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and the hepato-somatic index (HSI): GSI=100WG (W-WG) ˉ1 HSI = 100WH (W-WH) ˉ1 Where, WG= gonad weight; WH = liver weight; W= body weight Food Habits: Stomachs were removed and contents weighed. Prey items were sorted, identified to the lowest taxon possible, enumerated, weighed by prey category, and measured if possible. State of digestion of prey items was classified as fresh, partially digested or well digested. Intact monkfish prey were measured, weighed, and dissected to determine gender. The percent frequency of occurrence was calculated for major taxonomic prey groups and rate of cannibalism was determined for monkfish at each macroscopic gonadal stage (developing, ripe and spent). Statistical Analyses: An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the influence of month and gonadal stage on GSI and HSI. A visual assessment of residual plots was used to determine homogeneity of variance. To satisfy homogeneity of variance, HSI and GSI were natural log transformed. Significant ANOVAs (P < 0.05) were followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison tests (Neter et al. 1996). Directory: cms300uploadedFiles cms300uploadedFiles -> Kiah 1127 phone: 410-651-6429 office hours: mw 9: 00-10: 00 am, tu th 12: 00-3: 00PM cms300uploadedFiles -> Performance Report for Cooperative Agreement No: na11sec4810002 for the Period from July 1 to December 31, 2011 University of Maryland Eastern Shore Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center Paulinus Chigbu, Ph Download 7.02 Mb. Share with your friends:
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