South Atlantic MPA: year 2 of a pre-closure evaluation of habitat and fish assemblages in five proposed reserves.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) has proposed implementation 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 deepwater snapper-grouper complex. During 2007, we completed the third annual survey of five of the proposed MPA sites with three main objectives: 1) establish pre-closure estimates of species composition and fish abundance, especially for species of grouper and tilefish; 2) describe habitat features; and 3) document the relationship between habitat and species assemblages. Gear employed during the surveys included a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and a stationary video camera array. Four of then seven targeted reef fish (snowy grouper, speckled hind, warsaw grouper, and blueline tilefish) were observed in 2007. Relative fish abundances varied between proposed MPAs. None of the target species had the highest abundance of fishes observed; however other species of the snapper/grouper complex such as vermilion snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens), tomtates (Haemulon aurolineatum), and red porgy (Pagrus pagrus) were among those most frequently observed. Lionfish (Pterois volitans) densities have exponentially increased since the 2004 and 2006 surveys and showed comparable densities to the most abundant grouper, scamp (Mycteroperca phenax). As expected, lionfish and grouper densities increased with increasing habitat complexity. This study presents a unique opportunity to examine proposed MPA sites before implementation of fishing restrictions, thus providing fishery managers with robust preclosure data upon which efficacy evaluations of closures can be made.