USVI larval reef fish supply study : 2007-08 report

The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), comprised of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, are located on a geological shelf surrounded by an extensive Caribbean tropical marine ecosystem. This ecosystem contains a mosaic of critical habitats that support productive local fisheries. Nearshore nursery habitats such as sea grasses, mangroves, and associated coral reefs, provide vital foraging, predator refuge, and spawning habitat for over 400 species of fish found in the Virgin Islands.

Red Hind and Grammanik Banks, located 14 km south of St. Thomas, provide habitat for multi-species spawning aggregation sites and a healthy, deep coral reef system (35-40 m) for economically important coral reef fish including red hind, yellow fin grouper, Nassau grouper, tiger grouper, and dog snapper. Fishing pressure at these suspected sources of larval recruits prompted the Caribbean Fisheries Management Council to close the Grammanik Bank seasonally from February through April, and designate Red Hind Bank a permanently closed Marine Conservation District (MCD). Banks contiguous with these protected areas provide similar habitats and contain reported spawning aggregation sites. Unfortunately, neither the biological nor the physical processes which drive production on the banks, nor the larval transport pathways connecting the banks, the protected areas, nor the flows across the banks, have been quantified. Absent such knowledge, management decisions (including the designation of MCD and/or seasonal closures) are based on historical knowledge and best professional judgment, rather than quantifiable, scientific information

To address this data gap, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists from the Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) and the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) in Miami, Florida, working with scientists from the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) and the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife (VIDPNR), designed and executed a three-year interdisciplinary pilot research project consisting of two major components: research cruises and inshore studies. Funding for this research was provided by NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP).

Provides larval reef fish supply study for the 2007 to 2008 time period for the Us Virgin Islands

Title : USVI larval reef fish supply study : 2007-08 report

Personal Author(s) : Lamkin, John Tillman, 1954-;Gerard, Trika L.;Malca, Estrella.;Shiroza, Aki.;Muhling, Barbara A.;Davis, Natasha.;Fuenmayor, Francisco.;Whitcraft, Samantha R.;Johns, Libby.;Smith, Ryan Hunter;Mello, Nelson.;Rawson, Grant.;Idrisi, Nasseer.;Smith, Tyler B. (Tyler Burton), 1973-;Brown, Kevin.;

Corporate Authors(s) : Southeast Fisheries Science Center (U.S.);Coral Reef Conservation Program (U.S.);

Published Date : 2009

URL : https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/548