Structured Habitat Survey
![](https://rowlrs.marine.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/morson.png)
Jason Morson
![](https://rowlrs.marine.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Douglas-Zemeckis.png)
Douglas Zemeckis
Research Questions
What is the relative abundance, distribution, and demographics of structure-associated species within the Study Area and at nearby control sites before, during, and after construction?
Descriptor: Our structured habitat survey will be conducted seasonally (Spring: April-May, Summer: July-August, Fall: October-November, Winter: January-February) for two years before, during, and after construction of the Ocean Wind 1 offshore windfarm. The objective of this survey is to evaluate the potential impacts of the windfarm construction on fisheries resources, with a particular emphasis on structure-associated species such as black sea bass and tautog. This survey will include three different gear types: Chevron fish traps, rod-and-reel, and both benthic and pelagic baited remote underwater videos (BRUVs). All trips are planned to occur in collaboration with Captain Kevin Wark aboard the F/VDana Christine II from Barnegat Light, NJ.
If If you have any questions about our structured habitat survey, then please contact Dr. Douglas Zemeckis or Dr. Jason Morson.
![](https://rowlrs.marine.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/surveyingstations-1024x724.png)
Surveying stations will include locations of where turbines will be constructed in the future (orange dots – #’s 1-15), locations of “phantom turbines” that will remain as sand habitat controls throughout the study (purple dots – #’s 16-30), and shipwrecks on the nearby Atlantic City artificial reefs as structured habitat controls (not shown on map)
![hab1](https://rowlrs.marine.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/hab1-1024x768.jpg)
![hab2](https://rowlrs.marine.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/hab2-1024x768.jpg)
![hab3](https://rowlrs.marine.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/hab3-1024x768.jpg)
![hab4](https://rowlrs.marine.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/hab4-1024x768.jpg)
![hab5](https://rowlrs.marine.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/hab5-1024x768.jpg)
![hab6](https://rowlrs.marine.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/hab6-1024x768.jpg)
![hab7](https://rowlrs.marine.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/hab7-1024x768.jpg)