South Atlantic MPA: year 5 of an evaluation of habitat and fish assemblages in a network of reserves

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have implemented a network of eight marine protected areas (MPAs) between Cape Hatteras, NC and the Florida Keys to protect seven species of grouper and tilefish, all members of the deep water snapper-grouper complex. In November 2009, the NOAA Fisheries Laboratory in Panama City, FL completed its fifth annual survey of the MPA sites. Previously, four pre-closure surveys were conducted and 2009 was the first year of post-closure data collected.

A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) was used to examine the areas with four main objectives: 1) establish estimates of species composition and fish abundance, especially for species of grouper and tilefish; 2) describe habitat features; 3) document the relationship between habitat and species assemblages and 4) begin to investigate any changes in fish species composition and/or abundances between pre and post-closure data as well as comparisons between areas inside and outside the MPA. In 2009, inclement weather concatenated the survey and we were forced to limit observations to the Florida, Edisto, and northern South Carolina MPAs. Several members of the snapper-grouper complex were present both inside and outside the surveyed MPAs including nine species of grouper, one of which being an targeted species (speckled hind (Epinephelus drummondhayi)). Biodiversity of grouper species was higher in 2009 compared to all previous survey years. Unfortunately, lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) abundances continued to increase with 2009 displaying the highest abundances of any other survey year. Lionfish showed comparable abundances to the most common grouper, scamp (Mycteroperca phenax), at Edisto and Florida MPAs and were significantly more prevalent than all grouper species at the northern South Carolina MPA . This study has presented a unique opportunity to examine MPA sites before implementation of fishing restrictions, thus providing fishery managers with robust pre-closure data upon which efficacy evaluations of closures can be made.

1) establish estimates of species composition and fish abundance, especially for species of grouper and tilefish

2) describe habitat features

3) document the relationship between habitat and species assemblages

4) begin to investigate any changes in fish species composition and/or abundances between pre and post-closure data as well as comparisons between areas inside and outside the MPA.

This report is National Marine Fisheries Service Panama City Laboratory Contribution Number 10-18.

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