Wildlife Conservation Projects

Striper Kings has promoted, funded, and participated in many projects in conjunction with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). A partial list of these worthwhile projects follows:

  1. Research Projects, with Striper Kings financial and/or logistical support (1988-Present):
    2.

  • Graduate Scholarship and Wildlife Conservation Projects (2001)- In April, Striper Kings, Inc. presented Jason Shaffler, Clemson University, marine biology graduate student, with a College scholarship and Special Conservation Award for his Lake Murray striped bass mobility study. Jason has moved on to the University of Oklahoma to finish his doctorate degree in Freshwater Marine Biology. Also in April, members of Striper Kings assisted the SCDNR and the GADNR by providing the labor and transportation of striped bass fry from the GADNR striped bass hatchery to the SCDNR striped bass hatchery. Striper Kings, Inc. covered 100% of the cost of this project from the Club's Wildlife and Conservation funds. These striper fry will be raised in the SCDNR rearing ponds (see special rearing ponds Aeration Project 1997-1998 below) and then transported (see special Multi-Sectional Transportation System Project 1995-1996) and stocked into the Savannah River system lakes of Lake Hartwell and Lake Thurmond.

  • Graduate Student Research Projects (1999-2000) - (Clemson University: Striped Bass on Lake Murray.) Beginning in December 1999 and continuing through 2000 Striper Kings worked with a graduate student from Clemson on a tracking and monitoring project on Lake Murray. Striper Kings members were responsible for the capture and tagging of approximately 75% of the fish used in the study.

  • Creel Surveys - At the request of Wade Bales (the SCDNR Lake biologists for the Savannah River lakes), from 1994-1996, Striper Kings sponsored and conducted creel surveys on fishing efforts expended, and results achieved, on both Lake Hartwell and Lake Thurmond. This information was valuable for the biologist to determine stocking needs on both lakes, as well as, the impact of the U. S. Army Corp. of Engineer's Richard B. Russell Dam pump-back station on the striped bass fishery on Lake Thurmond.

  • Striper summer mortality studies on Lake Murray (1993) - This study successfully determined the primary cause of the tremendous fish kill that destroyed most of the Lake Murray adult striped bass population in the early 1990's. It resulted in an agreement between the SCDNR and the SCEP&G Utility Company on the Lake Murray Hydro-Electric Plant's turbine management protocol to be used during the hot summer months, when large numbers of adult striped bass concentrate in the deep open water near the Lake Murray dam.

  • Tagging and Releasing Survivability research projects (1990-1992) - Managed by the SC Striped Bass Hatchery, and Gene Hayes (the SCDNR Lake Murray biologist), on Striped Bass Phase I & Phase II survivability. This project was conducted on Lake Murray and in the brackish waters of the SC coastal region. It resulted in the elimination of freshwater Phase II striped bass stocking due to an extremely low survival rate. During the three-year project, none of the tagged fish placed in fresh water was ever recaptured. It also showed the brackish water stockings of Phase II striped bass resulted in a much higher than expected survival rate. Today, all phase II striped bass stockings go into brackish water.

  • Graduate Student Research Projects(1988-1990) - (Clemson University: Striped Bass on Lake Hartwell, and Lake Greenwood.

  1. Heater/Chiller Water Temperature Control System (1993-1994):

    2. In 1993 and in conjunction with the SCDNR Striped Bass Hatchery biologist's technical needs, Striper Kings designed and developed a Water Temperature Control System (WTCS) for the Striped Bass Fish Hatchery. In early 1994, under the supervision of Tom Curtis (Chief, SCDNR Bayless Striped Bass Hatchery/Dennis Wildlife Center), and Forrest Sessions (SCDNR Striped Bass biologist), members of Striper Kings procured, delivered and installed the system at the hatchery. Tom Curtis reported that the Water Temperature Control System (WTCS) was a phenomenal success by allowing the hatchery to meet 100% of their stocking requests that year. It is estimated that the system would have cost the state taxpayers between $18,000 to $25,000. Striper Kings proudly provided this system to the SCDNR at no cost.

  2. Multi-sectional Fish Transportation System (1995-1996):

    3. In 1996, Striper Kings, in a cost share arrangement with the SCDNR, procured, and delivered a Multi-Sectional Fish Transportation System (MSFTS) to the SCDNR Striped Bass Hatchery. Forrest Sessions (SCDNR Striped Bass Hatchery biologist), provided the desired technical requirements for the transportation system and Striper Kings procured the system from a commercial vender and made arrangements for its delivery. The MSFTS was designed specifically for fish transportation and allows the hatchery to deliver a controlled quantity of fish to multiple locations during the same trip. This system is used by the SCDNR for other species of fish as well. The cost of this system was approximately $6000. In the cost share arrangement, Striper Kings provided the system to the SCDNR at no cost and the SCDNR Striped Bass Hatchery paid for the freight delivery charges.
  3. Fish Production Pond Aeration System (1997-1998):

    4. In 1997, and in conjunction with the SCDNR Striped Bass Hatchery biologist's technical requirements and directions, Striper Kings assisted in the design and development and procurement of a Fish Production Pond Aeration System (FPPAS) for the SCDNR Striped Bass Fish Hatchery fish production ponds. These ponds are located at the Rembert C. Dennis Wildlife Center in Bonneau SC. In February 1998, under the supervision and directions of Tom Curtis (Chief, SCDNR Bayless Striped Bass Hatchery/Dennis Wildlife Center), and Forrest Sessions (SCDNR Striped Bass biologist), members of Striper Kings installed the aeration system at the hatchery rearing ponds. According to Tom Curtis, in 1998, the FPPAS produced both more fish, and healthier fish. These fish are expected to have a higher survival rate when released into our lakes. It is estimated that the water aeration system would have cost the state taxpayers between $12,000 to $15,000.

  4. Electroshock Boat, Motor, and Trailer (1999-2000):

    5. In 2000, and in conjunction with the SCDNR Striped Bass Hatchery biologist's technical requirements and directions, Striper Kings procured and delivered a NEW 2000 Carolina Skiff Boat, 40 HP Motor, and Drive-on Trailer to the SCDNR Striped Bass Hatchery. Forrest Sessions (SCDNR Striped Bass Hatchery biologist), provided the desired technical requirements for the boat, motor, and accessories needed, and Striper Kings procured the equipment from a commercial vender and made arrangements for its delivery.

  5. US Endangered Species Fish:

    6. Additionally, the SCDNR Striped Bass Hatchery uses these ponds and equipment for a variety of other fish as well, including fish that are on the US Endangered Species list.

  6. Chiller Water Temperature Control System (2001-2002):

In 2001 and in conjunction with the SCDNR Striped Bass Hatchery biologist's technical needs, Striper Kings designed and developed a Water Cooling System (WCS) for the male Stripers and White Bass at the Striped Bass Fish Hatchery. In early 2002, under the supervision of Tom Curtis (Chief, Dennis Wildlife Center), and Forrest Sessions (SCDNR Striped Bass biologist), members of Striper Kings procured, delivered and installed the system at the hatchery. Tom Curtis stated that the Water Cooling System (WCS) "worked well and removed one of the variables that hamper striper spawning." The WCS enabled the hatchery to maintain water temperatures of the male fish at required levels, while waiting for the female fish to become ready for spawning. It is estimated that the system would have cost the state taxpayers between $14,000 to $16,000.

Striper Kings, Inc., Greenville, SC