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YEAR 2003 - CRP Project #2007 (Gulf of Mexico)
Project #2007
Restoration of Fish Habitat
Gulf Islands National Seashore, Mississippi
Project staff and volunteer monitor seagrass being grown in the Gulf
Coast Research Laboratory. The seagrass will be used to restore
shallow areas in the water around Horn Island.
Project name: #2007 Restoration of Essential Fish Habitat
Project status: Complete
Grant Administrator:
Gulf of Mexico Foundation (for NOAA)
Grantee: Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
Project location: Horn Island, Mississippi
Grant period: March 1, 2021 - Sept 30, 2021 (extended to Dec 31, 2020)
Grant amount: $75,000
Land Ownership: US National Park Service
Lat/Long: N 30.25, W 88.8
Types of Habitat: sea grass beds
Project leader: Harriet Perry (as of April 16, 2021)
University of Southern Mississippi
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
Center for Fisheries Research and Development
PO Box 7000
Ocean Springs, MS 39566
(228) 872-4272 phone
(228) 872-4204 fax
Map of Mississippi coast. Project location at Horn Island.
Species Benefitting From Restoration:
- marine fish
- shrimp, crabs and other invertebrate species
Project Goals:
- Plant sea grass Thalassia thestudinum (turtle grass)
- Determine shoot density, light and current velocity requirements of sea beds (through monitoring)
- Increase community awareness of importance of sea grass to fish habitat
- Determine potential success of sea grass restoration
- Benefit marine species by providing habitat
- Reduce erosion to barrier island
Project History:
Low salinity levels caused by release of a spillway into the
Mississippi River, plus excess rainfall, reduced sea grass species from
six to two. Thalassia thestudinum (turtle grass) no longer present in area
since early 1970s. Nearest source where light and salinity are similar is Big Lagoon, Florida (60 miles away).
This species grows up to 3 feet long and exhibits thick
leaves. Thalassia forms extensive beds that
effectively reduce wave action and serve as excellent
habitat for fish and finfish.
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PROJECT PHOTOS
Click on photo to enlarge
POWER POINT PRESENTATION
23 slides - 2.18 MB
SITE VISIT SLIDE SHOW
Dec 10, 2020 - 9 photos
Thalassia thestudinum has been planted at the Horn Island project site.
The plant was present until the 1970s when low salinity levels killed it out.
PHOTO: Robin McCall
Volunteers aboard a Gulf Coast Research Laboratory boat bound for Horn
Island where they will plant turtle grass to restore historic seagrass beds.
PHOTO: GCRL Spring 2004
Aerial drawing of Horn Island. Shaded areas show the distribution of
Halodule (shoal grass) along the north side. Thalassia, although
historically present, has not occurred here since the early 1970s.
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PROJECT PARTNERS
NOAA Restoration Center
Gulf of Mexico Foundation
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
Jackson County Community College honors biology students
Recreational divers
Gulf Islands National Seashore
Private Citizens Concerned with Environmental Affairs
Boy Scouts
Girls Scouts
Mississippi Department of Natural Resources
Ocean Springs Middle School
Local residents
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