1980) cut the netting into 8- by 8-inch (20 by 20 centimeters) squares 

 and wove 15 eelgrass shoots through each mesh square, leaving the rhi- 

 zomes on the underside of the mesh. The square was then pinned to the 

 substrate surface. In 3 months the bottom coverage of the plants ex- 

 panded 400 percent, and the plants became anchored. Many plants can be 

 quickly planted by this technique. Labor is required for weaving sea- 

 grasses through the mesh, but this is done in the field. The only work 

 to be done in the water is collecting the plants, washing them free of 

 the substrate, and then pinning the squares to the substrate. The only 

 problem encountered using this method was in Puget Sound where dungeness 

 crabs rooted out the plants. 



V. PLANTING TIME 



Generally, the best time of the year for transplanting seagrasses is 

 in the spring. However, transplanting may be done anytime during the 

 year on the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic coast south of Beaufort, North 

 Carolina, and the Pacific coast from Washington State to southern 

 California, i.e., areas free from sea ice in winter, although specific 

 times (see Table 1) have been recommended by prior studies (Churchill, 

 et al., 1978; Phillips, 1976; Phillips, Vincent, and Huffman, 1978; 

 Thorhaug, 1974, 1976). North of Beaufort on the Atlantic coast and in 

 Alaska on the Pacific coast, where there is sea ice in winter, trans- 

 planting should be done when the ice melts and vegetative plants begin 

 growing. Table 1 lists the recommended transplanting times by species 

 and location. 



1. Eelgrass . 



a. Atlantic Coast North of North Carolina and Alaska, Pacific Coast . 



Transplanting should be done as soon as vegetative plants appear following 

 the melting of sea ice. This could be March in mild winters or mid-May 

 if ice persists until March. Transplanting should be completed by mid- 

 June to ensure establishment and growth of the eelgrass before the next 

 winter. 



b. Atlantic Coast, South of Beaufort, North Carolina, and Washington 

 State to California, Pacific Coast. 



The best time to transplant , in these areas varies. At Beaufort most of the 

 eelgrass produces seeds from late January to April. Late September to early 

 December is the best time for transplanting at Beaufort. This period escapes 

 the heat stress of the summer when water temperatures are up to 86° Fahren- 

 heit (30° Celsius) . 



From Washington State to southern California, January to May is the 

 best time to transplant. This is the period of active vegetative growth. 

 However, transplanting can be done throughout the year. 



2- Turtle Grass, Shoalgrass, Manatee Grass, and Ditch Grass. 



Prior studies show that winter plantings (December to April) give 

 the best results with respect to survival and grovrth tliroughout the 

 range of these species. 



