MATOS - Mid-Atlantic Acoustic Telemetry Observation System

Project Title: Assessing Critical Habitat, Movement Patterns, and Spawning Grounds of Anadromous Fisheries in the Tar/Pamlico, Neuse, and Cape Fear Rivers Using Telemetry Tagging Techniques.

MATOS Project Code: NCDMFS2

Data Type: Tracker

Project Duration: July 2013 - August 2017

Project Description: The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) conducted an acoustic telemetry study in the Tar/Pamlico, Neuse, and Cape Fear rivers. This study identified and mapped spawning grounds, spawning habitat, and movement patterns of American shad (Alosa sapidissima) and striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in these river systems. Important areas of habitat for both residency and spawning which were not previously understood were identified in these river systems and their major tributaries. This project contains only tagging data for American Shad and Striped bass tagged in this study. For acoustic telemetry array information, see the associated NCDMF waterbody array project in MATOS.

Objectives:

Use habitat/movement data to better characterize spawning stock of American shad and striped bass
Identify and map spawning grounds, spawning habitat, and movement patterns
Acoustically tag American shad and striped bass in the Tar/Pamlico, Neuse, and Cape Fear rivers

Management Benefits:

Improve knowledge of American shad and striped bass spawning locations, spawning habitat, movements

Principal Investigator:	Jason Rock (North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries)
Email:	jason.rock@ncdenr.gov

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

Collaborators:

Chris Stewart (North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries)
Dan Zapf (North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries)
Joe Facendola (North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries)

Participating Organizations:

North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

NCDMF Anadromous Fisheries Tagging Study