Special Temporary Authority application - Applicant Name
Name of Applicant:
Miami, University of; Rosenstiel School for Marine & Atmospheric Science
Special Temporary Authority application - Best Contact
First Name:
Nicholas
Last Name:
Farmer
Phone Number:
3054955554
Title:
Ph.D. Student
Special Temporary Authority application - Certification
Applicant certification
Neither the applicant nor any other party to the application is subject to a denial of Federal benefits that includes FCC benefits pursuant to Section 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, 21 U.S.C. Section 862, because of a conviction for possession or distribution of a controlled substance. The applicant hereby waives any claim to the use of any particular frequency or electromagnetic spectrum as against the regulatory power of the United States because of the prvious use of the same, whether by license or otherwise, and requests authorization in accordance with this application. (See Section 304 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.) The applicant acknowledges that all statements made in this application and attached exhibits are considered material representations, and that all the exhibits part hereof and are incorporated herein as if set out in full in this application; undersigned certifies that all statements in this application are true, complete and correct to the best of his/her knowledge and belief and are made in good faith. Applicant certifies that construction of the station would NOT be an action which is likely to have a significant environmental effect. See the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR1.1301-1.1319.
Date:
2005-02-08 13:42:02.766
Special Temporary Authority application - Explanation
Please explain in the area below why an STA is necessary:
Description of Technology: Knowledge of the movements and behaviors of marine fishes is limited as compared to terrestrial organisms. Recent advances in ultrasonic telemetry enable remote acquisition of high-resolution data via continuous long-term monitoring with minimal disruption of animal behaviors. We propose to utilize VEMCO Ltd. radio-acoustic positioning (VRAP) systems to monitor the fine-scale movements of red and black grouper with surgically- implanted acoustic transmitters. The VRAP system consists of three buoys each containing a hydrophone, receiver, and two-way radio link configured in an equilateral triangle over the reef (Figure 1). A base station consisting of a personal computer with a two-way radio, antenna, and an interface box receives radio signals via UHF from the buoys and delivers them to the PC every time a pulse signal is detected. The origin point of the pulse is determined by triangulation of signal arrival times at the three buoys. Organisms may be tracked continuously across an area of approximately 54,100 m 2 . Depending on environmental conditions, the VRAP system is typically able to furnish the position of a tagged individual at a resolution in the range of 1 to 2 meters within the buoy triangle. Two fixed position coded transmitters will be placed within the buoy array to correct for errors in positioning associated with wander. Configured for use with coded transmitters, the VRAP system can track up to 65,000 individuals on one frequency. When combined with habitat surveys and GIS mapping, these high-resolution data should facilitate identification of critical habitats and preferred sites as well as provide precise estimates of home range. This system has been used successfully by Bolden (2001) to determine the home range size of Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus). To partially fulfill the requirements of my doctoral research, I intend to deploy the VRAP system in two locations in the Florida Keys ecosystem: 1) a study of the movement of bonefish (Albula vulpes) and gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus) will be conducted near Adams Key inside Biscayne National Park, and 2) a study of the movement of black grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci) and red grouper (Epinephelus morio) will be conducted near Loggerhead Key and Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas National Park. In order to obtain the necessary permits from the National Park Service for this important research to begin, an FCC license must be obtained.
Special Temporary Authority application - Information
Nature of Service:
Experimental
Special Temporary Authority application - Initial values - Applicant Name
Name of Applicant:
University of Miami Rosenstiel School for Marine & Atmospheric Science
Special Temporary Authority application - Purpose of Operation
Please explain the purpose of operation:
The Florida Keys coral reef ecosystem supports a multibillion dollar industry for tourism and fishing; however, extensive changes in the marine environment due to rapid regional growth of human populations, recreational fishing fleets, exploitation effects, and environmental changes have led to depletion of many stocks. No-take marine protected areas (MPAs), or marine reserves, have been proposed as management tools to ensure stock sustainability and were implemented in the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas in 1997 and 2001, respectively. Most of the theoretical benefits of marine reserves are contingent upon the buildup of adult fish biomass within their boundaries. For this to occur, the reserve should be designed to encompass all or the majority of a fish?s home range, be placed in critical habitats, and be aligned to reduce animal movements through reserve boundaries, thus minimizing spillover and exposure to exploitation. Yet for many species knowledge about these factors is extremely limited, and most reserves have been implemented on an ad hoc basis. Poorly designed marine reserves may generate over-confidence about resource protection and misplaced optimism concerning the benefits of marine reserves. In addition, lack of knowledge regarding fish movements has been cited as a major reason why many organizations have been reticent to establish marine reserves. To provide critical information on fish movements, we are coordinating a collaborative effort with professional guides, anglers, leaders from Florida?s angling industries, conservation groups, and State and Federal fishery management entities who feel that a better understanding of the movements and habitat requirements of black grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci), red grouper (Epinephelus morio), bonefish (Albula vulpes), and gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus) is paramount to the sustainable future of these valuable fisheries resources. We intend to employ cutting-edge acoustic fish-tracking technology to monitor the fine scale movements of these species to assess their home range and /or habitat requirements. Parameterizing movement vectors through a spatially- heterogeneous environment may be critical to the design of useful simulation models. Results of simulation models may provide crucial insights for the design of effective marine reserves and should facilitate cost-effective performance evaluations of currently-established marine reserves. nderstanding fish movements relative to habitat may contribute to building sustainable fisheries and conserving marine biodiversity.
Special Temporary Authority application - Requested Period of Operation