Project Summary for 2006-08A: Habitat assessment of the Dry Tortugas
Objectives.- Research to assess changes in abundance of reef fish populations resulting from establishment of a network of no-take marine reserves (NTMRs) in the Dry Tortugas and Florida Keys is a high priority item for NOAA, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, National Park Service, and the State of Florida. During the summers of 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2004 we led a group of collaborating scientists in NURC-sponsored quantitative synoptic surveys in the Dry Tortugas region to assess multispecies coral reef fishery resources, benthic habitats, and spiny lobsters. During this period a total of 4,092 scientific dives to depths of 35 m were made. In this proposal, our research goal is to improve the basis for synoptic assessment of impacts on reef fish communities and associated multi-species fisheries following implementation of spatial management strategies such as NTMRs. Our objective is to use our proven analytical survey methodologies to conduct a synoptic scuba nitrox survey in the Dry Tortugas region in 2006 to assess the status of the coral reef fish community and the performance of the Tortugas NTMRs. We will also develop the capacity for conducting technical diving to include reef habitats 35 to 95 m in depth that extends our current synoptic survey activities in the Florida Keys-Dry Tortugas coral reef ecosystem.
Methods.- We will conduct a three week spatially-intensive stratified random sampling survey of the coral reef fish community in the Dry Tortugas region, and begin development of the technical capacity to conduct deeper-water visual surveys. Highly trained and experienced divers will collect biological data using nitrox scuba and the reef fish visual census protocol, a standard, non-destructive, in situ visual monitoring method. The overall Tortugas-wide sampling survey will collect about 1600 visual point samples over a short period to provide a spatially integrated "snapshot" of the exploited reef fish community. Biological data will be collected by a multidisciplinary team of about 22 highly-trained and experienced divers on each of two 10-day cruise legs. NURC vessel and divemaster mission support are critically needed to make this mission possible.
Significance.- The Florida Keys coral reef ecosystem, which includes the Dry Tortugas, supports highly productive and diverse fish and invertebrate communities as well as multibillion dollar fishing and tourism industries. Increased fishing pressure from rapid regional human population growth, and environmental changes associated with coastal development have raised concerns about fisheries sustainability. In response, a series of federal and state management actions were taken including implementation of a network of NTMRs. To address these resource concerns, we have developed a collaborative research assessment program focused on improving ecosystem-based fisheries management in the Florida Keys ecosystem. A key aspect of this research has been innovations in synoptic fishery-independent survey sampling to obtain costeffective, statistically robust, spatially-explicit data on the reef fish community and associated habitats. The research will provide precise data for assessment of the efficacy of NTMRs in meeting management goals to build sustainable fisheries and conserve marine biodiversity.
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