Short-term Movement, Home Range, and Behavior of Red Snapper around Petroleum Platforms in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, as Determined by High Resolution Acoustic Telemetry

Report

Title: Short-term Movement, Home Range, and Behavior of Red Snapper around Petroleum Platforms in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, as Determined by High Resolution Acoustic Telemetry

Author:

McDonough, M.; Cowan, J. Jr.

Publication Date:

October 1, 2013

Document Number:

BOEM 2013-0123

Pages:

Affiliation

Louisiana State University

Sponsoring Organization:

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), US Department of the Interior (DOI)

Stressor:

Habitat Change

Receptor:

Fish, Demersal Fish, Pelagic Fish

Document Access

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Citation

McDonough, M.; Cowan, J. Jr. (2013). Short-term Movement, Home Range, and Behavior of Red Snapper around Petroleum Platforms in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, as Determined by High Resolution Acoustic Telemetry (Report No. BOEM 2013-0123). Report by Louisiana State University. Report for Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).

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Abstract

Understanding the behavior, including the movement, of red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) around and among the many oil and gas platforms in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) is crucial to the management of this commercially and recreationally important species. What role oil and gas production platforms play in the attraction vs. production continuum for red snapper is unknown, but it is certain these large structures have a role at some life-history stage. The VRAP acoustic telemetry system was used to track red snapper around two platforms in the GOM in 2005 and 2006. Fish detections per hour generally decreased over the course of each experiment, and detections also fluctuated with strong periodicity. Spectral analysis revealed that red snapper had a 24-hour periodicity to their movements. The probability of fish presence likewise fluctuated within a day, perhaps indicating foraging away from the platforms. Red snapper in this study showed much lower site fidelity than in previous studies of red snapper on artificial reefs. These results appear to support the hypothesis that platforms function largely as attracting devices.