**FIELD PROTOCOLS FOR NRDA Biota/Tarball Stranding Documentation**

[Objectives]{.underline}

• To document or estimate the abundance of stranded biota or discrete
oil deposits such as tarballs

• To obtain preliminary information to help evaluate the need for more
comprehensive studies

[Parameters]{.underline}

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  • The extent and abundance of       • Abundance or percent cover of
  stranded, dead, or moribund         certain oiling types (e.g.,
  organisms                           tarballs)

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

[Equipment]{.underline}

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| • site markers (appropriate for   | • percentage estimation charts    |
| substrate type)                   |                                   |
|                                   | • shoreline oil terminology code  |
| • surveying flags, tape           | sheet                             |
|                                   |                                   |
| • 30 m fiberglass tape measure,   | • standardized data sheets        |
| marked in cm                      | (waterproof)                      |
|                                   |                                   |
| • quadrats (1.0, 0.25, and 0.063  | • 35 mm camera, video camera      |
| m^2^)                             |                                   |
|                                   | • slide and print film, video     |
| • GPS                             | tapes                             |
|                                   |                                   |
| • compass                         | • photo scales, photo log forms   |
|                                   |                                   |
| • hand counter                    | • specimen sample bags/jars,      |
|                                   | cooler and ice                    |
| • meter stick, rulers             |                                   |
|                                   | • waterproof labels               |
| • identification charts/guides    |                                   |
|                                   | • chain of custody forms and      |
| • field notebook (water-proof     | labels                            |
| paper)                            |                                   |
|                                   |                                   |
| • pencils, waterproof pens,       |                                   |
| markers                           |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

# Methods

• Conduct overflights within two-hours of low tide (before or after), to
determine the extent of visible contamination and stranding of biota.
Use USGS 7.5 minute topographic maps, vertical aerial photographs, or
other detailed maps to record observations. Record the:

> \- locations and approximate lengths of oiled shoreline segments
>
> \- approximate width and degree of oiling along different segments of
> shoreline
>
> \- evidence of stranding or mortality events (bodies, gulls feeding)
>
> \- presence or location of debris or wrack accumulations (where biota
> might also accumulate)
>
> \- features which appear to affect the pattern of oil/wrack/biota
> deposition along the shoreline, such as shoreline orientation or the
> presence of offshore rocks which refract waves
>
> \- shoreline access points
>
> \- all photographs taken

• Conduct a preliminary shoreline survey. Divide the impact area up into
distinct shoreline segments using an initial classification system based
on degree of oiling or relative rate of biota stranding. Develop a
segment numbering system.

• For each shoreline segment, focus initially on documenting obvious
impacts, delineating areas according to the relative degree of
oiling/biota stranding, and determining potential locations for more
detailed surveys. Record the locations of survey sites actually visited
on a basemap and with a GPS. Field observations and descriptions for
each shoreline segment should include the:

> \- shoreline segment number, date, time, weather conditions, tide
> level, and names of observers
>
> \- physical setting (shoreline orientation, exposure to wave energy
> and tidal currents, wind, potential for burial by sediment
> accumulation)
>
> \- shoreline habitat type
>
> \- dominant species or types of biota present
>
> \- presence of stranded dead or moribund animals
>
> \- extent and degree of shoreline oiling (use shoreline oil
> terminology codes and % cover charts)
>
> \- type or degree of shoreline cleanup performed (particularly note
> removal of stranded biota)

• If significant strandings of biota are observed, they must be
documented promptly to avoid loss to predation, or removal by tidal
action or beach cleanup. Qualitative documentation of strandings would
include systematic observations at representative sites, including:

> \- location of the survey sites using a GPS and an appropriate
> basemap; field markings so that repeat surveys can be conducted as
> needed
>
> \- photodocumentation using scales and/or quadrats of the general area
> and stranded organisms so that the relative abundance of species can
> be identified
>
> \- estimates of the approximate length and width of the stranding area
>
> \- record of the condition of stranded organisms (e.g., dead,
> moribund, decomposed) and any atypical behavior(s)
>
> \- similar documentation at appropriate reference areas

• If a significant stranding event occurs over a large area and detailed
sampling may be justified, a biostatistician should be consulted as soon
as possible. If time and personnel permit, a preliminary estimate of
stranded biota abundance should be made. The strategy for estimating the
abundance of stranded biota will depend, in part, on how those organisms
are distributed on the shoreline. In most cases, dead organisms will be
distributed in a relatively narrow band at the last high tide line
parallel to the shoreline. At selected segments:

> \- lay out a 30-m tape parallel to the shore at the high tide line
>
> \- randomly select at least 5 locations along the tape. Lay out a
> transect perpendicular to the shore (shore-normal) at each of the five
> locations
>
> \- scale the width of the shore-normal transects to the size and
> abundance of the stranded organisms. This could vary from 0.1 to 1 m
> wide
>
> \- count (or collect) the number of individual organisms or oil type
> (e.g., tarballs) within each shore-normal transect; for very large
> numbers of individuals, it may be necessary to conduct counts in
> randomly located quadrats along the transect
>
> \- estimate the total number of stranded organisms by multiplying the
> average density of the five transect belts by the total length of the
> segment
>
> \- consider a subtidal survey to evaluate the condition of organisms
> in nearshore areas adjacent to major strandings, and to see if some
> organisms are not being stranded onshore
>
> \- conduct similar stranding estimates in appropriate reference areas
>
> \- be aware of beach cleanup activities so that removal or disposal of
> stranded or dead organisms (or lack thereof) does not confound initial
> or repeat sampling efforts
>
> \- photodocument the stranding and sampling effort in detail

• Consider collecting reference specimens or a large sub-sample of
individuals for species identifications; age, size, and sex
determinations; necropsy; or chemical analyses. Store samples on ice
while in the field, freeze for longer-term storage or transport. If
chemical and certain necropsy analyses are not planned, invertebrate and
fish samples can be preserved in a chemical fixative such as 10%
buffered formalin. Check with the laboratory or specialist conducting
analyses about appropriate preservation methods and holding times.
Specimens preserved in formalin must be shipped as hazardous materials.

[References]{.underline}

NOAA Damage Assessment Center, 1997, Field forms and codes. Appendix 6:
[in]{.underline} Natural Resource Damage Assessment Emergency Guidance
Manual, Version 3.1. NOAA Damage Assessment Center, Silver Spring, MD.