|
Description:
Project Manager:
Valerie Brown
Project Years:
2021
2022
2023
Project Summary:
The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa (NMSAS) will provide support for research that will evaluate the role of herbivorous fish in maintaining resilience in NMSAS units and other reefs in American Samoa. A team from the University of California Santa Barbara, including a Nancy Foster Scholar, will investigate in situ fish grazing behavior through direct observation and feeding assays. That information will be integrated with existing biophysical data, including data from NMSAS, the National Coral Monitoring Program, and local agencies to evaluate the role of herbivory in reef resilience.The approach will include 1) supporting research activities on herbivory on reefs in different resilience status including NMSAS units, such as Fagatele Bay, Fagalu'a / Fogama'a, and Aunu'u; 2) providing data from NMSAS in-situ visual surveys and help researchers access NCRMP data, catch data, and consumption preferences; and 3) working with the project team to develop meaningful recommendations for the management of herbivorous fish species to improve reef resilience and long term sustainability of herbivorous reef fish.
Expected Outcome:
The major outcome of this work will be a better understanding of the foraging ecology of the dominant herbivorous fishes in American Samoa. Because the foraging ecology of herbivorous fishes ultimately determines their roles in maintaining healthy, resilient coral reefs, this work will provide managers with critical knowledge of the functional importance of each species for the resilience of coral reefs in American Samoa.Fisheries information was identified as a key gap in reef management efforts at the 2019 CRCP priority workshop in American Samoa. Improved data on the role of reef species in reef resilience can feed into community MPA efforts as well as territory-wide fisheries management. A report on findings and specific recommendations to guide efforts to improve fisheries management for resilience will be the main deliverable of this project.
Project Locations:
Project Category:
Fishing
Project Status:
Funding Ended
Associated Products:
|
