Evaluating the efficacy of two MPAs in the USVI: St. Thomas East End Reserves and St. Croix East End Marine Park
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 optim...
Little is known about the life history parameters of redtail parrotfish and hogfish from the Caribbean. Reproductive biology, age, and growth research is crucial for these specific stocks because these data are missing completely for redtail parrotfish an...
Reef fish calibration study to enable the use of long-term, fishery-independent data by fisheries and regional managers
Puerto Rico's coral reefs support multimillion dollar fishing and tourism industries (Ault et al. 2013). Fishes including hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus), snappers (e.g., Lutjanus, Ocyurus spp.), groupers (e.g., Epinephelus, Mycteroperca spp.), and parrotf...
Refinement of Benthic Habitat Map for South Florida Reef Tract with habitat use patterns of reef fish species
The project goal is to develop a refined benthic habitat map for the southern Florida reef tract based on quantitative habitat metrics at a spatial scale of 50 x 50 m map units. The objectives are: (1) to compile and synthesize multibeam and LIDAR high-re...
Improve management of economically and ecologically valuable reef fishes in the USVI
This project expands fishery-independent surveys to encompass the entire reef tract (0-60m) for the first time will provide accurate and unbiased information on fish size and species composition needed for island-based management. The implementation of su...
Impacts of fishing on parrotfish grazing in St. Croix -A case study on the ecological impacts of fishery management actions
On many coral reefs, including those in the US Caribbean, parrotfishes are both important fishery species that support local economies and key grazers that facilitate the settlement, growth, and survivorship of reef-building corals. Recent fisheries regul...
Determination of fertilization, larval survivorship and competency period for ESA broadcasting corals
Understanding of early life history, recruitment limitations and population enhancement of ESA listed corals are Recovery Actions in the Acropora Recovery Plan and priorities listed in the 2016 CRCP rfp. This proposal addresses this need for Caribbean lis...
Evaluating the efficacy of two MPAs in the USVI: St. Thomas East End Reserves and St. Croix East End Marine Park