Spud Woodward |
A. G. "Spud" Woodward
Director, Coastal Resources Division
Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources
Expertise:
Biology and population dynamics of estuarine and marine fishes, particularly
sciaenids such as red drum and spotted seatrout. Human dimensions of marine
recreational angling. State, interstate, and federal marine fisheries policy.
Issues of Interest:
Effects of fishing on populations of exploited estuarine and marine fishes and invertebrates and development of policy to eliminate or reduce overfishing
Marine protected areas and their role in the conservation of marine and estuarine fishes and invertebrates
Characterization of essential fish habitats for exploited estuarine and marine fishes and invertebrates
Freshwater inflow (surface, subsurface, and atmospheric) to estuaries and its role in estuarine ecosystem function
Economic impact
of commercial and recreational fisheries in coastal Georgia
Current Projects:
Oversee the operations and administration of the Marine Fisheries Section of the Coastal Resources Division
Atlantic Coast Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP): Development of standards for determining the age of selected marine and estuarine fishes.
Development of a strategic plan for the acquisition of data needed to determine the economic impact of marine recreational fishing in coastal Georgia.
Acquisition of
samples of adult red drum for age determination, tissue contaminant analysis,
and evaluation of reproductive status
Location:
Marine Fisheries Section activities are conducted in all of Georgia's estuaries,
the territorial sea, and the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone offshore of Georgia.
Information Needs:
More complete knowledge of the early life history of exploited estuarine and marine fishes indigenous to coastal Georgia.
Definitive information on the habitat preferences of all life stages of exploited estuarine and marine fishes and invertebrates indigenous to coastal Georgia
Effects of drought and reduced freshwater inflow on estuarine productivity, particularly for fishes and invertebrates
Characterization of shrimp trawl bycatch
Estimates of fishing and natural mortality for southern kingfish
Acute and chronic mortality of adult red drum following catch-and-release in the recreational fishery
Causes of black gill disease in penaeid shrimp and implications for management
Economic impacts
of saltwater fishing tournaments, artificial reefs, and the for-hire businesses
Link:
Coastal Resources Division,
GA Dept of Natural Resources