2009 AFS in Nashville

The Marine Fisheries Section, in conjunction with the Estuaries Section, are co-sponsoring the following symposium:

Energy Production and Fisheries in the Coastal Zone

Human population densities are disproportionately higher in coastal watersheds than in other habitable regions.  Future population growth in these areas will exert increased environmental pressure on estuarine and coastal habitats resulting in a cascade of adverse ecological effects such as declines in recreational and commercial fisheries.  Many energy facilities of various kinds, existing and planned, are tied to coastal growth as a result of population centers and abundant water resources. These include nuclear and hydroelectric generating plants, petroleum refineries, oil and gas platforms and associated transmission, storage, treatment, and transfer stations. The rapidly expanding biofuels industry can also be expected to play a large role in the future of the coastal zone through changes in agriculture, refining, transportation, distribution, and environmental side effects.

Fish and shellfish populations can be altered either directly or indirectly through cumulative and secondary impacts, which when combined over time can lead to a significant declines. Direct impacts can result from fish or their eggs being killed upon entry into cooling systems of electrical power plants.  Cumulative and secondary impacts can result from pollution, habitat loss, and hampered migration.  However, almost any activity associated with energy production (renewable or nonrenewable) can cause impacts even from associated activities such as shoreline stabilization structures, docks and industrial development. At the same time, energy production can have positive effects on fisheries, for example, the reef habitat functions of offshore oil platforms.

The objective of this symposium is to present recent research that describes and identifies linkages between coastal energy production and impacts on coastal fisheries with the ultimate goal of sustaining fish populations. This symposium will be an opportunity to share timely information about current status, future trends, and combined stressor effects of energy production on coastal fisheries, with benefits to scientists, managers, and policy-makers. 

For further information, please contact Dr. Fred Genthner, U.S. EPA, 1 Sabine Island Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561; Phone: 850-934-9342; Email: genthner.fred@epa.gov