Lessons Learned: Large-Scale use of Low Cost Side Scan Sonar

Diadromous fish, those that migrate between saltwater and freshwater, are ecologically important in Georgia’s coastal rivers.  In Georgia, several diadromous fish populations, including Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon, are federally listed as endangered or threatened; due in part to habitat loss and degradation.  The characterization and assessment of habitat is a major challenge in Georgia’s large and turbid Coastal Plain river systems inhabited by sturgeon.  To gain a better understanding of sturgeon habitats in four of Georgia’s Coastal Plain rivers (Altamaha, Ocmulgee, Oconee, and Savannah) the Georgia Department of Natural Resources utilized low-cost side scan sonar to map, classify and quantify substrates and habitat in nearly 1,000 river kilometers.  Lessons learned and results from this large-scale mapping initiative will be presented.