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https://hdl.handle.net/11681/27301| Title: | Use of an acoustic camera to evaluate the performance of tickler chains and draghead deflectors for sea turtle protection during hopper dredging in the United States of America |
| Authors: | Dickerson, Dena D. Welp, Timothy L. Willis, Stephen M. Novy, Douglas |
| Keywords: | Dredges Dredging Environmental protection Sea turtles--Effect of dredging on |
| Publisher: | Environmental Laboratory (U.S.) Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (U.S.) Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.) |
| Series/Report no.: | Technical Report (Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.) ) ; no. ERDC TR-18-4 |
| Abstract: | Potential risk for incidental take of sea turtles exists during hopper dredging throughout sea turtle coastal habitats. While the international dredging community has incorporated turtle protection methods developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, alternative protection measures have also been tried. One such method is a curtain of chains hanging off the dragarm pipe ahead of the draghead, which is intended to disturb a turtle on or near the seafloor and avoid a turtle take by the draghead. Although these turtle tickler chains (TTC) have been used overseas, neither operational performance nor effectiveness in protecting sea turtles has been documented. This study was the first step in evaluating TTC as a potential replacement for draghead turtle deflectors. The primary objective was to evaluate and document operational performance of this technology, not effectiveness of reducing incidental take. TTC operational performance was monitored using underwater camera systems over a short period of time whereas effectiveness for reducing incidental take of sea turtles would require analysis of endangered species observer monitoring data collected over a longer period. This study successfully demonstrated operational feasibility of deploying TTC off the dragarm and feasibility for mounting acoustic cameras on the dragarm for underwater monitoring. |
| Description: | Technical Report |
| Gov't Doc #: | ERDC TR-18-4 |
| Rights: | Approved for Public Release; Distribution is Unlimited |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/11681/27301 http://dx.doi.org/10.21079/11681/27301 |
| Size: | 41 pages/9.735 Mb |
| Types of Materials: | PDF/A |
| Appears in Collections: | Technical Report |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERDC TR-18-4.pdf | 9.97 MB | Adobe PDF |  View/Open |