{"id":1348,"date":"2024-07-03T18:36:35","date_gmt":"2024-07-03T18:36:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marine.usf.edu\/tbs\/?p=1348"},"modified":"2024-07-05T15:20:24","modified_gmt":"2024-07-05T15:20:24","slug":"tampa-bay-surveillance-quarter-one-in-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marine.usf.edu\/tbs\/tampa-bay-surveillance-quarter-one-in-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Tampa Bay Surveillance: Quarter One Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tampa Bay Surveillance: Quarter One Review<\/span>Tampa Bay Surveillance: Quarter One Review<\/span><\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Tampa<\/span><\/mask><\/g><\/g><\/clipPath><\/filter><\/defs><\/svg><\/div>

Tampa Bay Surveillance staff in the Murawski fish dissection lab, USF College of Marine Science<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The first several months of the Tampa Bay Surveillance project have been extremely productive \u2013 allowing researchers to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive study of emerging pollutants in the bay. Here’s a look at the progress made:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Photo<\/span>

Our donated research vessel - a work in progress<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Setting the Stage<\/strong><\/p>\n

The team spent a significant portion of the first quarter<\/b> on essential startup tasks<\/b> like lab setup, permitting, field training, and workflow design. The Management Technical Advisory Group (MTAG)<\/a> was established to ensure stakeholder involvement throughout the project. We were also gifted<\/b> a 34′ SeaArk Dauntless<\/b> from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office<\/a> that we cannot wait to put in the water! Vessel updates are ongoing and we will be sure to highlight the grand reveal once the work and inspections are complete.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Tampa<\/span>

Fishing in Tampa Bay - reaching quotas<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Fish on the Agenda<\/strong><\/p>\n

Quarter 1 fish sampling<\/b> began in April and concluded on June 26. Redfish<\/b>, snook<\/b>, and spotted sea trout<\/b> were successfully collected across six regions<\/b> of Tampa Bay<\/b>, with biometrics meticulously documented. Post-sampling day dissections<\/b> gathered muscle, liver, stomach contents, otoliths, and more \u2013 for contaminant<\/b> and histological<\/b> analysis <\/b>which will begin later this year.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Eckerd<\/span>

Eckerd College's 'Scientist at Sea' Instagram posts from collaborative 'Day in the Bay'<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Sediment Sampling Sails<\/strong><\/p>\n

Through collaboration<\/b> with Eckerd College’s undergraduate-research ‘Scientist at Sea<\/a>‘ program, USF<\/b> and Eckerd<\/b> participated in a ‘Day in the Bay’<\/b> on May 20th.<\/sup> Sediment cores<\/b>, surface grabs<\/b>, and fish<\/b> samples were collected at various locations throughout Tampa Bay with concurrent sampling for both fish and sediments providing a holistic picture<\/b> of complicated logistics, planning, sample collection and processing. In total, the team collected 25 cores<\/b> at 5 sites<\/b> in Hillsborough Bay, Mid-Bay East and Mid-Bay West. 25 surface grab<\/b> samples were also collected in the Lower Bay West region.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Pump<\/span>

Pump station from the South Bayou Advanced Water Reclamation Facility in St. Petersburg, FL<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Testing the Waters (and Wastewater)<\/strong><\/p>\n

In addition to chemical analysis<\/b>, the project is investigating the potential of electrocoagulation<\/b>, a water treatment technology, to remove contaminants from wastewater effluent. Initial tests, sampling effluent<\/b> from the South Cross Bayou Advanced Water Reclamation Facility<\/a> in St. Petersburg, FL, showed promising results for reducing<\/b> various chemicals<\/b>, including pesticides and PCBs.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Dr.<\/span>

Dr. O'Leary (wearing her best fish-scale dress) at GOMCON 2024, ready to distribute surveys <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Taking the Pulse of the Public<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr. O\u2019Leary\u2019s survey was distributed at the 2024 Gulf of Mexico Conference <\/a>(February 19-22) to understand public perceptions<\/b> about fish health<\/b>, seafood safety<\/b>, and the connection<\/b> between human<\/b> and fish<\/b> populations. Analysis of the 447 responses<\/b> is underway.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Key Achievements<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>

  • <\/i><\/span>
    Established a strong foundation<\/b> for ongoing research.<\/div><\/li>
  • <\/i><\/span>
    \n

    Collected<\/b> fish<\/b> and sediment<\/b> samples across Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • <\/i><\/span>
    \n

    Began chemical analysis<\/b> of wastewater effluent<\/b> and demonstrated the potential of electrocoagulation<\/b> for wastewater treatment.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • <\/i><\/span>
    \n

    Gathered valuable public input<\/b> on fish and seafood.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  • <\/i><\/span>
    \n

    Developed partnerships<\/b> with regional stakeholders.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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