Abstract
The Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation (CFRF) in collaboration with the fishing vessel Harvest Moon have completed the South Fork Wind Farm pre-development ventless fish pot survey for demersal fisheries resources. The survey was conducted to determine the spatial scale of potential impacts on the abundance and distribution of juvenile and adult fish species, particularly structured associated finfish such as black sea bass, scup, and tautog as a result of South Fork Wind Farm development. In particular, the survey was designed to determine if the immediate areas, closest to the turbines, will experience alteration in the distribution and abundance of the above identified structure associated fish species as a result of the turbines creating a “reef effect” due to the addition of new structure in the South Fork area. As in 2021, the South Fork Wind development area was intended to be sampled once per month from June through December but due to poor weather conditions the 2022 survey was unable to sample in November and instead did a sampling trip in January 2023. Within the development area, eight turbine locations were sampled with a single string of ventless fish pots at each location. Each string of ventless fish pots consisted of 18 identical ventless fish pots evenly spaced at 50- meter increments with the first pot of the string set on the exact location of a potential turbine and the last pot of the string set due south of the turbine. Monthly, each pot was baited and left to soak for 24-hours prior to sampling. Sampling consisted of speciating the catch from each pot and recording total number of individuals and total weight of each species per pot. Individual lengths were recorded for the above identified target species as well as other fish species. Individual weights were also recorded when feasible for target species. Oceanographic data was obtained at each sampling stations with a conductivity, temperature, and depth cast and temperature loggers. The catch throughout the second year of sampling exhibited a strong seasonal component and was dominated by a handful of species. Catch was relatively low the first two months of the survey and was largely comprised of rock crabs. Catch increased substantially in August, remained high in September and October, and then decreased for the months of December and January. Black sea bass and scup were the most prevalent fishes caught. Overall, no substantial differences were noted between year 1 and year 2 results.