EAI developed a Biological Plan of Study (BPOS) to assess the extent, if any, to which elevated temperatures resulting from an extended power uprate (EPU) at a power plant in St. Lucie County might affect the protection and propagation of a balanced, indigenous population of fish, shellfish, and wildlife in the Atlantic Ocean. The BPOS was approved by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and study implementation began soon thereafter.

Sampling consisted of water quality monitoring, collection of fish and shellfish by trawl, gill net, and beach seine, plankton netting, and monitoring of sea turtle utilization of nearshore hardbottom.

Three discrete sites, one centered around the plant within the zone of thermal influence and two reference sites located north and south of the plant, were used throughout the study. EAI conducted 8 baseline (pre-EPU) and 12 post-EPU monitoring events from 2011 through 2015.

All fish captured by trawl, gill net, and beach seine were identified to species and counted. A subsample of Representative Important Species captured were measured and weighed. All invertebrates were counted and identified to major taxonomic group. Commercially/Recreationally Important Species were identified to the lowest practicable taxon. Ichthyoplankton (larval fish and crustaceans and fish eggs) were identified and enumerated.