Burton, M. L.

Assess/monitor affects of MPA status on reef fish populations and spawning aggregations in the Tortugas Ecological Reserves

2012

Beaufort NC

NOAA NMFS SEFSC

7

Annual Report

"This project assessing the fisheries resources of the Rileys Hump area of the Tortugas South Ecological Reserve. The southern reserve was established specifically with the protection of mutton snapper spawning aggregations in mind, therefore it is important to try and determine if the establishment of the reserve is contributing to a population increase in the species and the re-establishment of the historically large spawning aggregations. Similarly, fishermen know Rileys Hump as a place where grouper are abundant. The area has never been explored to scientifically document the existence of grouper spawning aggregations. The presence of grouper aggregations forming in the reserve would provide added justification for the designation, creation and continued existence of the Tortugas South Ecological Reserve. The comparison of snapper-grouper populations within and outside the Tortugas North Ecological Reserve directly addresses the question of whether protected areas offer enough protection to target or exploited species to enhance population abundance between fished and unfished areas."

FY2008 CRCP Project ID 1068; Project Title: Riley's Hump and Tortugas Bank: Monitoring Aggregations of Mutton Snapper and Possible Source of Recruits; Principal Investigator: Michael Burton