RAPID ASSESSMENT PROTOCOLS FOR SMALL VESSEL GROUNDINGS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Vessel groundings in coral or seagrass habitats can cause significant injury to these benthic communities. Injury assessment requires information on the areal extent and degrees of injury at the grounding site, including the inbound and exit vessel tracks. Scientific divers need to rapidly delineate the boundaries of the impacted areas, map the location of specific points (such as large dislodged coral heads), and record observations along transects underwater. A series of 2–3 page protocols was developed to provide guidance on collection of key ephemeral data after small vessel groundings, particularly where resources are limited and access is difficult. The Initial Assessment protocol outlines the steps to plan and conduct emergency phase surveys to document the physical injuries. Guidance is provided on how to set up the sampling grids, develop site-specific injury categories, and record field parameters. The Live Coral Triage protocol describes how to salvage and stabilize live coral and associated resources in a coral reef or hardbottom habitat that have been physically fractured, dislodged, or overturned. The Underwater Video Mapping protocol describes how to document and provide a permanent video record of the area, type, and degree of physical damage to benthic communities. These protocols for small vessel groundings should assist first responders collect ephemeral data during the emergency phases of a response and start the recovery process.