Application Of Infrared And Ocean Color Satellite Data In Pelagic Fisheries Assessment And Management In The Southeastern United States
Mitchell
A
Roffer, Roffer's Ocean Fishing Forecasting Service, Inc. West Melbourne, FL 32904, roffers@bellsouth.net
(Presenting)
Mathew
A
Upton, Roffer's Ocean Fishing Forecasting Service, Inc. West Melbourne, FL 32904, matt2@roffs.com
Gregory
J
Gawlikowski, Roffer's Ocean Fishing Forecasting Service, Inc. West Melbourne, FL 32904, greg@roffs.com
Daniel
C
Westhaver, Roffer's Ocean Fishing Forecasting Service, Inc. West Melbourne, FL 32904, dan2@roffs.com
Frank
E
Muller-Karger, School for Marine Science and Technology, Univ. Massachusetts, New Bedfor, MA 02744, fmullerkarger@umassd.edu
Arthur
J
Mariano, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Miami, Fl 33149, amariano@rsmas.miami.edu
Donald
L
Hammond, Cooperative Science Services, LLC, Charleston, SC 29412, cssllc@bellsouth.net
The results of a three year satellite fisheries oceanographic study for developing ecosystem based forecasting models from polar orbiting satellite sensors (AVHRR and MODIS) will be reviewed. Infrared (IR) and ocean color (VIS) satellite data were useful in characterizing the essential pelagic habitat of dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) on the continental shelf in the South Atlantic Bight. Due to the frequency of satellite passes for cloud removal it was found that the IR data were more useful in studying the catch dynamics. Spatial multivariate analyses considered sea surface temperature (sst), sst fronts including the western edge of the Gulf Stream and cyclonic eddies, water column depth, and bottom topography. Results showed that dolphinfish were statistically associated to the Gulf Stream meanders, eddies and fronts. The analyses were used by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources in understanding dramatic variations in relative apparent abundance of the fish during the period 2003-2006. Analyses techniques were transferred and used to evaluate the effects of the Yucatan Current and Loop Current on the distribution and relative apparent of Atlantic bluefin tuna and other ichthyoplankton.
NASA Carbon Cycle & Ecosystems Active Awards Represented by this Poster: