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Description:
Author(s):
Allee, R. J., David, A. W., Naar, D. F.
Title:
Two Shelf-Edge Marine Protected Areas in the eastern Gulf of Mexico
Publication Date:
2011
Publisher:
Elsevier Insights
Editor/Compiler:
Harris, P. T., Baker, E. K.
Institution:
NOAA Gulf Coast Services Center; NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service; College of Marine Science, University of South Florida
Proceedings Title:
Seafloor Geomorphology as Benthic Habitat . GeoHAB Atlas of Seafloor Geomorphic Features and Benthic Habitats
Page(s):
435-448
Abstract:
"The Madison-Swanson Marine Protected Area is located off the Florida coast in the Gulf of Mexico at the margin of the continental shelf and slope in 60 to 140 m of water. Prominent within Madison-Swanson is a limestone ridge, thought to be the remnant of a 14,000+ year-old coral reef. The Pulley Ridge Habitat Area of Particular Concern is a 100+ km-long series of N-S trending, drowned, barrier islands on the southwest Florida Shelf. It appears to be formed on top of an ancient coastal barrier island or strand line during a period when sea levels were approximately 65 to 80 m lower and is believed to be the deepest hermatypic coral reef on the continental shelf of the United States. The depth ranges from approximately 55 m near the eastern edge of Pulley Ridge down to about 115 m on the western edge. Fisheries studies of Madison-Swanson indicate that Mycteroperca spp. (grouper) and Lutjanus campechanus (red snapper) are associated with hard bottom features, with spawning aggregations of M. microlepis (gag) and/or M. phenax (scamp) confirmed at several sites. Canonical Correspondence Analyses (CCA) conducted on fish and habitat data from Madison-Swanson indicated gag are most closely associated with relict coral reefs and to a lesser degree with greater depth and higher relief while red snapper had a higher correlation with soft corals. Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) observations were used to associate fish species with habitat types for Pulley Ridge. The loose rubble found in Pulley Ridge was conducive for Epinephelus morio (red grouper) to excavate pits in the sediment and they were the most abundant large grouper species in that area."
Keywords:
Drowned Barrier Islands; Hermatypic Corals; Mounds; Paleoreef; Paleoshoreline; Ridges; Pinnacles; Grouper; Mycteroperca; Spawning aggregation
Electronic Access:
Notes:
Supported by grants from MARFIN (2001) and NOAAs Coral Reef Conservation Program (2002-2009) NA10NMF4410059
Grant Number(s):
NA10NMF4410059
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