Reef Fish Sampling in the Reef Fish Sampling in the Florida KeysFlorida Keys

by: by: Danielle MorleyDanielle Morley

Edited for use at Pine Middle SchoolEdited for use at Pine Middle Schoolby: Susan Kaiserby: Susan Kaiser

NOAA Teacher at Sea 2012NOAA Teacher at Sea 2012

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation CommissionFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation CommissionFish and Wildlife Research InstituteFish and Wildlife Research InstituteSouth Florida Regional LaboratorySouth Florida Regional Laboratory

2796 Overseas Hwy; Suite 119; Marathon, FL 330502796 Overseas Hwy; Suite 119; Marathon, FL 33050

Coral reef managers around Coral reef managers around the world have similar the world have similar questions:questions:• Are the coral reefs healthy?Are the coral reefs healthy?

• What are the threats impacting coral reefs?What are the threats impacting coral reefs?

• Are fish populations increasing or Are fish populations increasing or decreasing?decreasing?

• Are management actions successful?Are management actions successful?

• Is a marine protected area working?Is a marine protected area working?

• What is the level of satisfaction of the What is the level of satisfaction of the resource users?resource users?

This presentation gives a overview of This presentation gives a overview of some current research projects in the some current research projects in the Keys. It also prepares you for a Keys. It also prepares you for a simulation activity in class. simulation activity in class.

Finfish Finfish ResearchResearch Group Group

Ocyurus chrysurus yellowtail snapper

Commercially and Recreationally Commercially and Recreationally Important SpeciesImportant Species

Mycteroperca bonaci black grouper

Lutjanus analis mutton snapper

Lutjanus griseus gray snapper

Location, location, location!Location, location, location!

Key WestDry Tortugas

Florida

Cuba

Bahamas

Key Largo

Overview of the Finfish Program Overview of the Finfish Program Several different programs study fish populations Several different programs study fish populations

throughout the entire Florida Keys reef track and covering throughout the entire Florida Keys reef track and covering various life stages.various life stages.

Seining Seining ProgramProgram

Spawning AggregationSpawning Aggregation StudiesStudies

Reef Visual Reef Visual Census Census

Seine Survey Seine Survey

21.3m offshore seine net with 3.2mm mesh

Typical catch

Mutton snapper

Scientists count the fish found in shallow waterScientists count the fish found in shallow water

Reef Visual Reef Visual Census (RVC)Census (RVC)

Goal:Goal: Estimate population & Estimate population & community make upcommunity make up

Method: Method: Stratified Random Sampling

Data Collected:Data Collected:

• Showed >280 SpeciesShowed >280 Species• Included all fish life stages & sizesIncluded all fish life stages & sizes

Methods: Stratified RandomMethods: Stratified Random

15 m5 minute count5 - 10 and >10 minute count

Stationary Point CountsStationary Point Counts

7.5 m

Fish Spawning AggregationFish Spawning Aggregation(FSA) in the Dry Tortugas(FSA) in the Dry Tortugas

Lutjanus analisLutjanus analis mutton snappermutton snapper

Mycteroperca bonaciMycteroperca bonaci black grouperblack grouper

Ocyurus chrysurus Ocyurus chrysurus yellowtail snapperyellowtail snapper

•What are the population dynamics of What are the population dynamics of those reef fishes in the Dry those reef fishes in the Dry Tortugas?Tortugas?

•Are there spawning migration Are there spawning migration patterns?patterns?

•What type of fish movement occurs What type of fish movement occurs between foraging grounds and between foraging grounds and spawning aggregation sitesspawning aggregation sites??

• How do fish use habitats of the reef How do fish use habitats of the reef environments and how long do reef environments and how long do reef fishes stay in the region?fishes stay in the region?

Since 2008:Yellowtail (18)

Mutton snapper (56)

Black grouper (36)

Fish Surgery???Fish Surgery???

Scientists must dive to service receivers a couple times a year.

Sampling areas covered by the receivers included approximately 800km2 and are comprised of varying habitats.

FSA Work in the Dry TortugasFSA Work in the Dry Tortugas

83° 05’ 83° 00’ 82° 55’ 82° 50’

24°

40’

24°

35’

24°

30’

L. analis L. analis – 69.2 cm– 69.2 cm

TNER

TSER

RNADRTO

May June July

Spawning Corridor

No TakeNo Take

No Take

Home Range Estimate

• Marine scientists will continue to collect data to better understand the fisheries in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

• The new information they gather will help policy makers better manage these natural resources.

• In the next class meeting, YOU will simulate the process used by scientists in the spawning aggregation study to add to their data set and make future recommendations to resource managers.

Future Research…