• 



Figure 9. PVC coring device being used to remove 

 plugs of shoalgrass. 



4. Planting Sprigs Anchored . 



In areas wltere currents exceed 1.5 knots (a^out 3 kilometers per 

 hour) or there is slight wave energy exposure from wind, storm, or 

 even boat wakes, it is advisable t-o use anchoring devices with seagrass 

 sprigs. In Mississippi Sound, Eleuterius (1974) found that construction 

 rods and iron mesh painted with vinyl paint, when used as anchoring 

 devices, did not affect turtle grass and shoalgrass sprigs. He conclu- 

 ded that bare metal would not kill the plants. Phillips (1976) found 

 that turtle grass and shoalgrass in Texas and eelgrass in Alaska were 

 killed when metal anchors were used. In Puget Sound, Washington, eel- 

 grass appeared to be unaffected by iron or metal anchors. 



Because of the increasing costs of construction rods and wire mesh, 

 and the susceptibility of certain seagrasses to iron, it is recommended 

 that E-Z fabric be used. E-Z fabric is a combination of synthetic-fiber 

 netting (polypropylene yarn) interwoven with biodegradable paper strips 

 (Gulf States Paper Corp., Tuscaloosa, Alabama). The material is in- 

 expensive, $85 for a roll 300 feet (91.4 meters) long and 54 inches 

 (137.2 centimeters) wide, 1979 prices. Fonseca, et al . (in preparation. 



18 



