RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SERVICES
• Environmental Studies & Analyses (EA, EIS)
• Ecological Surveys & Assessments
• Water Quality
• Fish Habitat
• Fishery Management Studies
• Marine Protected Area Studies
• Coral Reef Management Studies
• Plan & Policy Reviews
• Ecosystem Models
PROJECTS & CLIENTS
Shoreline Analysis of the Withlacoochee River, Florida
Study of west-central Florida tidal rivers for the purpose of establishing regulatory minimum flow levels. Understanding historic flows of tidal rivers can help re-establish appropriate levels after years of alteration. One approach to understanding historic flow is to analyze the community composition of shoreline vegetation, which shifts with tidal influence. Using GIS to identify and analyze these shifts in shoreline type in the context of river salinity signatures can provide insight into appropriate flow levels for maintaining river ecology. This work is in collaboration with Dr. Ernest Estevez, Center for Coastal Ecology, Mote Marine Laboratory.
Commercial Fishing in the Proposed Northwest Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary
The National Marine Sanctuary Program under NOAA required assistance with the environmental analysis for the management plan and Environmental Impact Statement needed for the designation of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary, with a particular focus on the compatibility of commercial fishing with the proposed sanctuary. The project goals were to develop a set of NEPA type management alternatives governing fishing, and provide recommendations on a management regime most compatible with the principles and purpose of the proposed sanctuary. Working documents were prepared on each of the four commercial fisheries (precious corals, lobster, bottomfish and pelagics), as well as subsistence fishing and marine zoning of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. The six working documents summarized the state of knowledge of the fisheries and related ecological considerations as informed by existing literature, expert interviews and Discussion Groups, with participants representing stakeholder agencies, commercial fishermen, researchers, native Hawaiians and non-governmental conservation organizations. The analysis resulted in a determination that commercial fishing is incompatible with the goals of the proposed Sanctuary. Read the Final Report and Supplemental Notes on the Decision Analysis. The Northwest Hawaiian Islands, the most isolated and pristine coral reef ecosystem in the world, has since been designated a National Marine Monument with all commercial fishing phased out by June 2011. This work was in collaboration with Dr. Bruce Wilcox, University of Hawaii; and Kristin Duin, Sustainable Resources Group International, Inc.
Marine Corps Base Hawaii Coral Reef Ecosystem Management Study
The first coral reef management study undertaken for the military in Hawaii, the Coral Reef Ecosystem Management Study (CREMS) adopts an ecosystem approach to integrate divergent stakeholder concerns, ecological criteria, and military mission of the Marine Corps Base at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Information and data were assembled and analyzed from existing internal MCBH and U.S. Navy reports, scientific literature, grey literature and technical reports, Military Training SOPs, Environmental Assessments, Environmental Impact Statements, Base Master Plans, and interviews with researchers, resource managers, external stakeholders, and MCBH personnel. The status and protection of coral reefs was evaluated in the context of activities associated with the Marine Corps mission and compliance with relevant laws. The CREMS makes comprehensive recommendations across various management areas including: assessing and mapping the coral reef ecosystem, amphibious training and transit, pollution, invasive species, marine recreational activities, public access, and broad-scale environmental change. This work was in collaboration with Kristin Duin, Sustainable Resources Group International, Inc.
Hanalei Bay Habitat and Fisheries Assessment
Hanalei Bay, on the north coast of Kauai, Hawaii, was one of five key sites in the state chosen by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources for an extensive multi-year field study and assessment of fishery resources to provide a baseline for effective management. As a member of the resident research team, Jennifer Shafer conducted field studies to quantitatively assess the coastal marine habitats and fish populations of Hanalei Bay and the associated recreational fishery. Standard underwater benthic habitat survey methods complemented fishery surveys conducted via trapping, tagging, line fishing, and fisher interviews. Comprehensive coral reef and soft-bottom habitat assessment included species identification, density, distribution, and community interactions of corals, algae, macroinvertebrates, and fishes. Recreational fishing effort and catch were quantified by species, gear type and season. This work was under the direction of Dr. James Parrish, Hawaii Cooperative Fishery Research Unit of the US Geological Survey, and in collaboration with Dr. Alan Friedlander, Dr. Ralph DeFelice, and Jack Peterson at the University of Hawaii.
Environmentally Sensitive Lands Program
As a citizen advisor on the Sarasota County Environmentally Sensitive Lands Oversight Committee (ESLOC), Jennifer Shafer assists County staff in identifying and reviewing environmentally sensitive lands and making public land acquisition recommendations to the County Commission in order to protect natural areas from adverse impacts. This work is supported by the Natural Resources Division of Sarasota County.
Environmental Policy Task Force
As a member of the Task Force, Jennifer will make recommendations to the County Commission on implementation of environmental policy under the County's Comprehensive Plan. Specifically, the Task Force will evaluate the 2008 Native Habitat Land Cover Map and Risk Assessment and recommend policy amendments for evaluating Development Proposals under the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Regulations that help preserve and protect native habitats. This work is supported by the Resource Protection Division of Sarasota County.
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