Jay Grove

2024

2025

2026

PROJECT OBJECTIVESThe objectives of this MPA efficacy project are to: (1) evaluate sample size requirements for coral target reef fish species to obtain a desired level of survey precision (e.g. 15% CV) to compare MPAs and open areas; (2) develop an optimal allocation and sampling plans for MPAs to complement NCRMP surveys; (3) conduct additional sampling inside each MPA (as determined from objective 2); and, (4) statistically compare size and abundance metrics for key reef fish species inside and outside managed areas.APPROACHWe will use existing NCRMP survey data to evaluate the sampling effort requirements in relation to precision and spatial scale of mean density estimates to effectively compare MPAs to areas open to fishing in St. Thomas/St. John and St. Croix USVI. We will leverage the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program’s (NCRMP) sample design and sample frame (mapped hard bottom habitats from 0 to =30 m); Bryan et al. 2016) to separately identify sample sites within St. Thomas East End Reserves (STEER) and St. Croix East End Marine Park (STXEEMP). Surveys in STEER and STXEEMP will occur during the same year(s) as NCRMP Caribbean fish surveys (i.e., 2025). NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) will collaborate with USVI Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) staff for fieldwork and to identify species of interest for analytical comparisons. BENEFIT TO MANAGEMENTThis proposal stems from direct feedback received during the USVI's CRCP jurisdictional feedback meetings. DPNR DFW staff identified this project as a high priority in order to determine whether or not the existing management within STEER and STXEEMP are positively affecting fish size and abundance. Results either way (i.e., effective, not effective) will be used by territorial managers to identify additional funding (e.g., enforcement) and/or propose MPA modifications if needed.

(1) A dataset that can be used to compare metrics for key coral reef fish species inside and outside of territorially managed areas (St. Thomas East End Reserves (STEER) and St. Croix East End Marine Park (STXEEMP)). (2) A final report that will describe the survey's performance evaluation, sampling effort, and a statistical comparison of abundance and size composition of selected species inside each MPA to areas open to fishing. The species of interest will be identified by DPNR DFW. At a minimum, we anticipate that suite of economically valuable reef fish species will be selected for density and length frequency analyses including red hind (Epinephelus guttatus), yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus), queen triggerfish (Balistes vetula), and stoplight parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) based on their importance to the fishery and upcoming Caribbean stock assessments.

• U.S. Virgin Islands

Fishing

Ongoing

Ongoing

https://www.coris.noaa.gov/search/rest/find/document?searchText=projectNumber%3A31619%20OR%20projectTitle%3A"Evaluating%20the%20efficacy%20of%20two%20MPAs%20in%20the%20USVI%3A%20St.%20Thomas%20East%20End%20Reserves%20and%20St.%20Croix%20East%20End%20Marine%20Park"&start=1&max=10&f=searchPage