A Retrospective (1979-1996) Multispecies Assessment of Coral Reef Fish Stocks in the Florida Keys

• Published in: Fishery bulletin (Washington, D.C.) Vol. 96; no. 3; p. 395
• Main Authors: Ault, Jerald S, Bohnsack, James A, Meester, Geoffrey A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.07.1998
• Subjects: Epinephelinae; Haemulidae; Labridae; Lutjanidae; Marine; Pisces
• ISSN: 0090-0656

Some 35 economically and ecologically important coral reef fish stocks in the Florida Keys were monitored for baseline yield data against which to understand the effects of fishing and from which to develop an effective fishery management strategy. Visual surveys conducted by divers from 1979-96 were used to estimate population abundance, assemblage composition, and stock structures in relation to habitat factors. An algorithm for calculating total mortality rates from exploitable phase fish average length estimates is explained. A reef fish equilibrium exploitation fishery simulation model was developed to take fishing mortality estimates as input and to generate yield-per-recruit data in relation to fishing intensity and gear selectivity, and spawning potential ratios in relation to federal overfishing standards. Some 23 species are below the 30% overfishing minimum. Depletion of the largest, most desirable, and most vulnerable reef fish species is typical of serial overfishing. Barracuda populations have grown during this period, suggesting major fish community structure changes.