Sheridan, P., Hill, R., Matthews, G., Appeldorn, R.

The Effects of Trap Fishing in Coralline Habitats: What Do We Know? How Do We Learn More?

2003

Proceedings of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute

54

1-12

Trap fishing in United States waters occurs in coral habitats in the Florida Keys, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Although the numbers of traps fished and the general placement areas of traps are known, there is little information on the exact placement of traps by habitat type, seasonal movement of traps among habitats, and potential for gear impacts to various habitats such as seagrasses, macroalgae, sponges, and hard and soft corals. We are beginning to examine the placement of traps in relation to habitat types and, in the future, will be conducting underwater surveys of traps and fishing techniques in all three locales to determine potential for habitat damage and for gear or method modifications, if necessary.

Damage; Trap fishing; Coral; Reef fisheries; Coral reefs; Environmental impact; Habitat; Catching methods; ASW, USA, Florida, Florida Keys; ASW, Caribbean Sea, Lesser Antilles, U. S. Virgin Islands; ASW, Greater Antilles, Puerto Rico

ASFA. FY2002 CRCP Project ID 1069; Project Title: Distribution of Trap Fishing and Effects on Habitats in Coral Reef Ecosystems; Principal Investigator: Ron Hill. CRCP Project ID 1245; Project Title: Distribution of Trap Fishing and Effects on Habitats in Coral Reef Ecosystems; Principal Investigator: Ron Hill.