Reef fish visual census monitoring in the Florida Keys Reef Tract

2012

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Final 2012 Sampling Report

"In FY12 abundance and size data for reef-fishes were collected by highly trained and experienced SCUBA divers using a standard, in situ, nondestructive monitoring method (Bohnsack and Bannerot 1986; Brandt et al. 2009). A probabilistic sampling approach was used to visually survey reef-fishes and provide population and community metrics for resource management. Divers conducted RVC fish surveys (2-4 samples per site) at 1072 sites (about 4074 samples) throughout the Florida Keys in FY12. This total includes 423 sites (1599 samples) in the Dry Tortugas, 415 sites (1594 stations) Key West to Miami and 234 sites (881 stations) in the SEFCRI region. Reef fish community composition, habitat composition, and abundance and size structure for more than 300 reef fish species on the coral reef tract were obtained. Data will be used to assess population and habitat trends (eg, whether species are overfished) and ecosystem responses to fisheries management actions, including the effectiveness of no-take MPAs. For example, Ault et al. (2013) discusses the effectiveness of protected management areas on black grouper and mutton snapper populations in the Dry Tortugas, suggesting the Dry Tortugas is a major source for recruitment of these species to the entire Florida reef tract. Highlights of the 2012 survey included two charter cruises to the Dry Tortugas in June and July, sampling 423 sites, and 1 charter cruise to the Florida Keys, which sampled 55 sites. The system that developed into Tropical Storm Debbie disrupted the Keys cruise, and only allowed us 2.5 effective sampling days out of 7 planned operation days. Also, scientists completed a five year monitoring and assessment of coral reef in the Research Natural Area (RNA), a no-take marine reserve, in Dry Tortugas National Park in 2012 as a cooperative between SEFSC, the National Park Service, Florida Marine Research Institute (FMRI), and the University of Miami. Final results were presented and well received by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in its June 2012 meeting. Data collected show the effectiveness and importance of the RNA for restoring fish populations and supporting coral reef fisheries in Florida. 2012 was also the first year of northern expansion (SEFCRI region) of the RVC program. Nova Southeastern University was contracted (with help of cooperating state and local agencies) to conduct RVC surveys from Miami/Dade County to Martin County. SEFSC and RSMAS personal conducted several training programs (from sampling design, to sampling protocols, to data management) to facilitate the expansion and provide congruency throughout the Florida region as a whole."

FY2012 CRCP Project ID 482 Product 159; Project Title: Assess and Monitor Coral Reef MPAs; Principal Investigator: James Bohnsack