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Summary

Abstract

The South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (SAFMC) has proposed implementation of nine 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. Based on recent stock assessments, four of these are considered to be overfished including snowy grouper (Epinephelus niveatus), warsaw grouper (E. nigritus), speckled hind (E. drummondhayi), and tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps). Yellowedge grouper (E. flavolimbatus) are not considered overfished, and the status of misty grouper (E. mystacinus) and blueline tilefish (Caulolatilus microps) is unknown at this time. Life history characteristics of several of the targeted species make them more vulnerable to overfishing. Many are protogynous hermaphrodites with highly female-skewed ratios, even in unfished populations.

Aggregate spawning with strong interannual site fidelity is also common, offering knowledgeable fishermen the possibility to harvest large numbers of reproductively active fish in a short period of time. Dominant males aggressively defend these spawning aggregation sites and are more easily caught than during non-spawning periods, leading to further skewing of the sex ratios. The National Marine Fisheries Service has volunteered to conduct preliminary investigations of the proposed MPAs and then to evaluate the efficacy of the closures once they have been made. A project was designed to examine five of the proposed MPAs with three main objectives:

1) establish baseline 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

Four of the nine proposed MPA sites were not included for this project, two artificial reef sites in the South Atlantic Bight and two sites off extreme southern Florida. The artificial reef sites were excluded because the project focused on fish-habitat relationships in natural areas. The south Florida sites were excluded for logistical reasons related to their remoteness from the remaining five natural habitat sites in the South Atlantic Bight. Gear employed during the surveys included a remotely operating vehicle (ROV), a stationary video camera array, and chevron fish traps. Three of the seven targeted reef fish (snowy grouper, speckled hind, and blueline tilefish) were observed in the first year of the survey (2004). Species composition varied between proposed MPAs, but all were dominated by small reef fish of limited commercial or economical importance. Fish densities differed among the habitats observed. Grouper were most abundant on rock outcrops, especially those of higher relief, while tilefish were most abundant on flat pavement habitat and low relief outcrops. One surprising result was the abundance of lionfish (Pterois volitans), an invasive species native to the Indo-Pacific. Like groupers, lionfish are structure-oriented and were most abundant on high relief outcrops. Grouper, lionfish, and tilefish displayed a latitudinal decrease in density from north to south. A cruise similar to the one presented in this report has been funded for 2005 and subsequent annual cruises are planned through 2012. This study presents a unique opportunity to examine proposed MPA sites before implementation of fishing restrictions, thus providing fishery managers with robust baseline data upon which efficacy evaluations of closures can be made

Description

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

Child Items

No Child Items for this record.

Contact Information

Metadata Contact
Andrew David
andy.david@noaa.gov
850-234-6541 x208

Extents

Geographic Area 1

-80.3° W, -76.2° E, 33.8° N, 29.9° S

Time Frame 1
2004-04-17 - 2004-05-06

Item Identification

Title: South Atlantic MPA: pre-closure evaluation of habitat and fish assemblages in five proposed reserves
Status: Completed
Abstract:

The South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (SAFMC) has proposed implementation of nine 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. Based on recent stock assessments, four of these are considered to be overfished including snowy grouper (Epinephelus niveatus), warsaw grouper (E. nigritus), speckled hind (E. drummondhayi), and tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps). Yellowedge grouper (E. flavolimbatus) are not considered overfished, and the status of misty grouper (E. mystacinus) and blueline tilefish (Caulolatilus microps) is unknown at this time. Life history characteristics of several of the targeted species make them more vulnerable to overfishing. Many are protogynous hermaphrodites with highly female-skewed ratios, even in unfished populations.

Aggregate spawning with strong interannual site fidelity is also common, offering knowledgeable fishermen the possibility to harvest large numbers of reproductively active fish in a short period of time. Dominant males aggressively defend these spawning aggregation sites and are more easily caught than during non-spawning periods, leading to further skewing of the sex ratios. The National Marine Fisheries Service has volunteered to conduct preliminary investigations of the proposed MPAs and then to evaluate the efficacy of the closures once they have been made. A project was designed to examine five of the proposed MPAs with three main objectives:

1) establish baseline 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

Four of the nine proposed MPA sites were not included for this project, two artificial reef sites in the South Atlantic Bight and two sites off extreme southern Florida. The artificial reef sites were excluded because the project focused on fish-habitat relationships in natural areas. The south Florida sites were excluded for logistical reasons related to their remoteness from the remaining five natural habitat sites in the South Atlantic Bight. Gear employed during the surveys included a remotely operating vehicle (ROV), a stationary video camera array, and chevron fish traps. Three of the seven targeted reef fish (snowy grouper, speckled hind, and blueline tilefish) were observed in the first year of the survey (2004). Species composition varied between proposed MPAs, but all were dominated by small reef fish of limited commercial or economical importance. Fish densities differed among the habitats observed. Grouper were most abundant on rock outcrops, especially those of higher relief, while tilefish were most abundant on flat pavement habitat and low relief outcrops. One surprising result was the abundance of lionfish (Pterois volitans), an invasive species native to the Indo-Pacific. Like groupers, lionfish are structure-oriented and were most abundant on high relief outcrops. Grouper, lionfish, and tilefish displayed a latitudinal decrease in density from north to south. A cruise similar to the one presented in this report has been funded for 2005 and subsequent annual cruises are planned through 2012. This study presents a unique opportunity to examine proposed MPA sites before implementation of fishing restrictions, thus providing fishery managers with robust baseline data upon which efficacy evaluations of closures can be made

Purpose:

To Obtain estimates of reef fish reef fish density and species composition density associated with bottom features within and outside the preferred proposed MPAs.

To describe habitat features habitat features within and outside the preferred and proposed proposed MPAs.

Document the relationship relationship between habitat and species assemblages.

Physical Location

Organization: National Centers for Environmental Information - Silver Spring, Maryland
City: Silver Spring
State/Province: MD

Entity Information

Entity Type: Report
Active Version?: Yes
Description:

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

Support Roles

Author

CC ID: 842038
Date Effective From: 2010
Date Effective To:
Contact (Person): David, Andrew
Address: 3500 Delwood Beach Road
Panama City, FL 32408
Email Address: andy.david@noaa.gov
Phone: 850-234-6541 x208
Fax: 850-235-3559
Contact Instructions:

Phone or email

Author

CC ID: 842040
Date Effective From: 2010
Date Effective To:
Contact (Person): Harter, Stacey
Address: 3500 Delwood Beach Road
Panama City, FL 32408
Email Address: Stacey.Harter@noaa.govs
Phone: 850-234-6541
Fax: 850.235.3559
Contact Instructions:

Contact by email preferred.

Metadata Contact

CC ID: 842041
Date Effective From: 2010
Date Effective To:
Contact (Person): David, Andrew
Address: 3500 Delwood Beach Road
Panama City, FL 32408
Email Address: andy.david@noaa.gov
Phone: 850-234-6541 x208
Fax: 850-235-3559
Contact Instructions:

Contact by email preferred.

Extents

Currentness Reference: Ground Condition

Extent Group 1

Extent Group 1 / Geographic Area 1

CC ID: 842044
W° Bound: -80.3
E° Bound: -76.2
N° Bound: 33.8
S° Bound: 29.9

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 1

CC ID: 842043
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2004-04-17
End: 2004-05-06

Extent Group 2

Extent Group 2 / Geographic Area 1

CC ID: 842047
W° Bound: -81.13333333333
E° Bound: -75.13333333333
N° Bound: 34.63333333333
S° Bound: 24.21666666667
Description

Atlantic Ocean, U.S. South

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 1

CC ID: 842046
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2004-04-17
End: 2004-05-06

Access Information

Security Class: Unclassified
Data Access Procedure:

Open to everytone

Data Access Constraints:

Download from specified link

Catalog Details

Catalog Item ID: 56454
GUID: gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:56454
Metadata Record Created By: Lee M Weinberger
Metadata Record Created: 2019-05-28 09:10+0000
Metadata Record Last Modified By: SysAdmin InPortAdmin
Metadata Record Last Modified: 2022-08-09 17:11+0000
Metadata Record Published: 2022-02-28
Owner Org: SEFSC
Metadata Publication Status: Published Externally
Do Not Publish?: N
Metadata Last Review Date: 2022-02-28
Metadata Review Frequency: 1 Year
Metadata Next Review Date: 2023-02-28