CSA Relocates Corals to Install Subsea Cable in Florida

CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. (CSA) is currently monitoring the health of 149 corals successfully relocated in association with a submarine fiber optic cable system laid offshore Hollywood, Florida in the fall of 2013.

The cable system traverses nearly 17,500 km (10,875 mi) of seafloor and now connects Florida to South America, the Caribbean, and Central America. CSA provided comprehensive consulting services for the initial acquisition of the cable’s permits and also served as the permitting agent to ensure compliance regarding pre-installation, post-installation, mitigation, and monitoring.

Through the use of benthic video surveys and existing spatial data, CSA mapped the cable route of least impact through the environmentally sensitive reef system populated with listed endangered coral species, such as the staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) and elliptical star coral (Dichocoenia stokesii).  Using underwater navigation systems, CSA divers delineated the cable route through the reef, relocating listed corals from the planned cable pathway.  After cable deployment, CSA divers relocated and re-attached additional benthic organisms dislodged during the cable installation.

As a part of mitigation efforts for the cable installation, CSA also removed and disposed of more than 400 tires from Osborne Reef, an artificial reef created from the placement of over 1 million tires in the 1970s.

During the spring of 2014, a 6-month post-installation coral monitoring effort was performed to document and assess coral reattachment success and relative health as well as to evaluate selected control specimens.  Prior to and following installation, seven reattachment areas were established to relocate the 149 specimens moved away from the cable route to minimize impacts related to installation activities.  These specimens were predominantly hard corals, particularly the target species Acropora cervicornis and Dichocoenia stokesii.

The 6-month post installation monitoring indicates that the reattached specimens are generally in very good condition and are responding well to the relocation. CSA will continue biological monitoring through 2017 in accordance with the permit conditions outlined in federal, state, and local permits issued to the project.

“The execution of this effort from project planning, regulatory interactions, multi-agency permitting, installation assistance, mitigation, through continued monitoring demonstrates CSA’s unique ability to offer a complete suite of the highest quality in-house environmental permitting, science, and marine operation services available anywhere. I am proud of our staff and their dedication to our clients and to their work to help protect our dynamic and sensitive marine environment,” said Kim Olsen, Business Line Manager for CSA’s Permitting business line.