20040561 Ver 4_Environmetal Studies Program_20210513

Environmental Studies Program: Studies Development Plan | FY 2022–2023
BOEM Information Need(s): In anticipation of future lease requests within the next 2–5 years, BOEM’s
Marine Minerals Program (MMP) needs to better understand the relationships between fish habitat use
and OCS sand resource management decisions at FPS, a cape-associated shoal feature off of southeast
NC. Offshore sand resources are limited in southeast NC, and the coastal communities of Brunswick
County require more sand to support their coastal resiliency initiatives over the next 50 years than is
currently available. In order to fill this deficit, sand resource alternatives have been identified in state
and Federal waters at FPS, a dynamic system with complex physical and biological drivers that support a
unique and highly productive habitat. Existing physical and biological data that are needed in order to
understand the relationship of future dredging related disturbance to ecosystem services is severely
limited. Research on biological activity and human use can strengthen future National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA), ESA, and EFH analyses that consider the potential effects of dredging on fisheries
resources and inform the development of targeted mitigation measures.
Title Fish Fry: Frying Pan Shoals Ecosystem Dynamics
Administered by Headquarters
BOEM Contact(s) Deena Hansen ([e-mail]); Jacob Levenson
([e-mail])
Procurement Type(s) Inter-agency Agreement/Cooperative Agreement/Contract
Performance Period FY 2022–2025
Date Revised April 22, 2021
PICOC Summary
Problem Offshore sand resource alternatives in sand-starved Southeast North Carolina (NC)
are limited to thin sand sheets, buried channels, and a cape-associated shoal
complex. Frying Pan Shoals (FPS), a large cape associated shoal complex
designated by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) as Essential Fish
Habitat (EFH) and Habitat Area of Particular Concern (HAPC), contains a significant
volume of Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) sand and has been identified as a
potential long-term resource to support future coastal resiliency planning efforts.
Physical and biological ecosystem function drivers of this highly productive and
dynamic system are poorly understood and could be affected by potential
dredging activities.
Intervention Gather and synthesize existing data and collect new baseline data related to
physical, biological, chemical, and human coupled natural systems, including
fisheries independent and dependent data. Examine the relationship of seafloor
and water column disturbance to ecosystem services and dynamically model
ecosystem trade-offs associated with potential dredging scenarios.
Comparison Existing data is limited. Data obtained from this study will establish reference
conditions to analyze and compare potential dredging impacts.
Outcome Inform impact analyses through the collection of baseline information, evaluation
of dredging scenarios and associated ecosystem trade-offs, and development of
targeted mitigation measures.
Context Frying Pan Shoals, North Carolina, Atlantic OCS.
Background: FPS is currently designated by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the
NMFS as EFH and HAPC for many fish species. NMFS has expressed concern that long-term and repeated
dredging operations could significantly impact the habitat value that supports several important
commercial and recreational fisheries. Realizing that long-term coastal resiliency strategies include the
use of high valued OCS sand resources at FPS, the MMP implemented the following study as a first
phase effort to evaluate existing data, solicit perspectives from relevant stakeholders, and assess the
science needs: “Workshop and Research Planning to Improve Understanding of the Habitat Value and
Function of Frying Pan Shoals, NC on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (MM-19-x06).” This initial study
summarized the current physical and biological characteristics of FPS, the potential dredging
implications/concerns, and the priority data gaps and research questions that may serve as a long-term
science strategy to support future decision making. The technical report was informed by consultations
with scientific experts, state and Federal agency officials, and local project proponents. The literature
review and workshop results reinforce prior assumptions regarding the demand for future sand at FPS,
limited baseline data set to inform future impact analyses, and need for developing a science strategy to
fill data gaps.
The research prioritization and data collection approach for this currently proposed phase II study
leverages stakeholder feedback provided in MM-19-x06 along with lessons learned from two ongoing
studies evaluating ecological function and recovery of shoal habitat in the South Atlantic Bight (NT-14-
x12) and the Gulf of Mexico (MM-19-01).
Objectives: Inform potential dredging scenarios using a dynamic systems model that informs trade-offs
across ecosystem services.
Methods: This study will begin by developing a sampling design methodology report for ecological data
collection leveraging existing data and technical insight gathered during prior workshops. The
methodological approach includes sampling chemical (chlorophyll, N, etc.), biological (ichthyoplankton,
benthic invertebrates, macroinvertebrates, fishes, stable isotope analyses, fish acoustic tagging, eDNA,
etc.), and physical parameters (ADCP and multibeam surveys), along with modeling dredging scenarios
and associated ecosystem tradeoffs. Icthyoplankton, longline, and trawl surveys will be used to gather
data on fish communities, including temporal variation and potential correlation to the Cape Fear River
plume discharge. Acoustic tagging may also be used if the shoal can support a telemetry array. Existing
and/or new geophysical and geological surveys will be used to collect shoal morphology data. Other
sampling methods may include the following:
• Benthic grabs – infauna composition, sediment grain size
• Leveraging existing current and wave data – sediment transport, larval dispersal, “fronts”
associated with concentration of fish/prey
• Turbidity – water quality, natural fluctuations/background conditions, influence of riverine
system to ecosystem
• Glider based fish tracking (ASV Melvin) – fine-scale fish distribution and seasonal occurrence of
various species
• Fisher interviews – engage local shrimpers and fishermen about species use of the area
• Food web dynamics – understand the connection between benthic resources and fish that may
be transiting the area via isotope testing and diet studies

Specific Research Question(s):
• What is the baseline seasonal variability of benthic community species composition and
distribution relative to the physical environment of Frying Pan Shoals, and how does it relate to
interannual variability of the Cape Fear River plume?
• What is the habitat and spatial distribution of key species, including pelagic fish and sharks?
• What are the linkages and interplay between benthic and higher trophic levels?
• What are the sediment recharge rates based on hypothetical dredging scenarios located at
various locations within the Frying Pan Shoals complex?
• How sensitive is the mesoscale morphology on Frying Pan Shoals to affecting broader sediment
pathways, biological impacts, and recovery rates?