Funds under this grant award will be used to conduct cobia and southern flounder stock restoration and applied fishery research programs including hatchery work, angler outreach and collaboration…

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded a $457,799 Formula Grant under the Sport Fish Restoration program (CFDA 15.605) to the Natural Resources South Carolina Department. The grant will fund cobia and southern flounder stock restoration and applied fishery research programs, including hatchery work, angler outreach, biological sample collection, and the introduction of novel stock enhancement techniques and tools. Key activities include an experimental cobia stocking plan for the South Carolina inshore distinct population segment, population assessments for cobia and southern flounder, and the validation of environmental DNA and citizen science approaches to monitor the inshore cobia population. The grant also supports increased sample collection through direct and angler-based efforts to enhance understanding of the distribution, movement patterns, and population structure of both cobia and southern flounder. Project results will be disseminated to fishery managers, fishing groups, and other stakeholders.

Funds under this grant award will be used to conduct cobia and southern flounder stock restoration and applied fishery research programs including hatchery work, angler outreach and collaboration for biological sample collection, and introduction of novel techniques and tools in stock enhancement to help assess a unique DPS under strict fishing regulations. The continuation of our stock enhancement research program will include an experimental cobia stocking plan of the SC inshore distinct population segment as well as population assessing the status of cobia and flounder populations within the state. We will continue to validate edna and citizen science as potential mechanisms to assess the status of the inshore cobia DPS following the closure of the fishery during the month of may.increased sample collection directly and through cooperating anglers will be employed for cobia and southern flounder to increase the knowledge of the distribution, timing of movement, and population structure of both species. Project results will be disseminated to managers, fishing groups, and other stakeholders.