MATOS - Mid-Atlantic Acoustic Telemetry Observation System

Project Title: Research and Management of Endangered and Threatened Species in the Albemarle Sound Basin

MATOS Project Code: NCDMFS1

Data Type: Tracker

Project Duration: July 2010 - July 2014

Project Description: In 2010, the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries joined a collaborative effort to: 1) document, through telemetry, seasonal and spawning migration patterns and incidences of inter-basin transfer for adult Atlantic (Acipenser oxyrinchus) and shortnose sturgeon (A. brevirostrum) in Southeastern Rivers in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia and 2) develop, test and implement a genetic ageing technique using telomeres. North Carolina signed on as partners to conduct gill netting and tagging in the Cape Fear River, NC and the Albemarle Sound, NC with a target of 20–30 adults of each species. This project contains only tagging data for sturgeon tagging in North Carolina for this study. For acoustic telemetry array information, see the associated NCDMF waterbody array project in MATOS.

Objectives:

Detect incidences of inter-basin transfer
Develop, test, and implement a genetic aging technique using telomeres
Seasonal and spawning migration patterns

Management Benefits:

Development, validation, implementation of alternative genetic-based aging technique using telomeres
Gain better understanding of riverine and near coastal movements for sturgeon species

Principal Investigator:	Michael S. Loeffler (North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries)
Email:	michael.loeffler@ncdenr.gov

Point of Contact:	Ami Staples
Email:	ami.staples@ncdenr.gov

Collaborators:

Chip Collier (North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries)
Joe Facendola (North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries)

Participating Organizations:

North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
North Carolina State University
University of Georgia
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

Funding:

NOAA Section 6: NA10NMF4720036

NCDMF Sturgeon Tagging Study